Birmingham Restaurant Guide

“Certainly Birmingham’s No. 1 restaurant” – Adam & Natasha Stokes’s “shining star of the city’s dining scene” occupies a “contemporary looking, peaceful and calm” site that’s “classy and comfortable, and – if lacking a picturesque view – buoyed by the happy contentment of diners”. The “outstanding” food “continues to impress, with superb flavour combinations, high quality sourcing, and real innovation – without resorting to gimmicks – to focus on letting ingredients shine”. “An excellent wine list contains many top growths but also good wines at reasonable prices”. “Service too hits a utopian balance of being professional but approachable and engaging”. Its most dedicated fans are furthermore “amazed that it doesn’t have another Michelin star” as they say “it is definitely deserving of at least two: I say that in comparison to the likes of The Fat Duck, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay and Simpson’s, to name just a few!”. The chef’s table again comes recommended: “a magical experience of true theatre!”

“Stunning…”, “fantastic…”, “exceptional every time…” – folks continue to be “blown away by the innovative cuisine” produced by TV-chef Glynn Purnell’s luxurious 45-cover HQ, “in the smart city-centre business quarter”. There are an array of menus on offer, with just tasting options available Friday lunch and Friday & Saturday evenings.

“Fabulous, fun and inventive” meals appear from the “open-to-view kitchen” at Jamie Desogus’s two-year-old in a former butcher’s shop in a residential area. “It’s run by a young but knowledgeable team whose enthusiasm is infectious” – and their ambition is clear in the multi-course tasting menus on offer, including an ‘express’ lunch consisting of a mere five courses, plus bread and snacks.

A Midlands institution which has spent 25 years at the top of the gastronomic tree – this Edwardian villa is still the place to go for “a real treat” with “first class food” and “outstanding service” from “wonderful staff”. A number of long-time customers rather regret the change to a simpler format: “the relaxed formal restaurant has been replaced by an OK Brasserie” – “…come on Simpsons, put back the white tablecloths!”