Hi everyone

My husband is taking me to the good food show in birmingham this November and has decided that we are going to make it a child free weekend ( a rareity) I am looking for some suggestions as where to book for a really nice meal out. Not sure yet where we will be staying but i would have thought that it would be somewhere near to the centre ( hopefully get in a shopping trip aswell ( i'll tell him that bit nearer the time !!)). I know it is a bit early but the chances are that we will be going the saturday night and sunday so we will need to book somewhere fairly well in advance. Any type of food, we eat anything. All ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Also if anyone has any good ideas of where to stay would be fab. Not too expensive though, then there will be more to spend while we are there.

Many Thanks
Emma

Hi Emma

Birmingham has had a major resurgence over the past few years and there are more great restaurants now, but many are in fancy gastropubs out in the countryside near to the NEC. (Bell @ Alderminster, Kings Head @ Aston Cantlow, Bulls Head @ Barston, Orange Tree & Chadwick End, Howard Arms @ Ilmington, Crabmill @ Preston Baggot).

A classic night out but a memorable one would be Saturday at Ronnie Scott's. Traditional old jazz club in town with small booths - try and book a cosy table for two near to the front and while away the hours. Food not as sensational as other places but I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

Another suggestion for a night out would be Brindley Place and the Gas Basin. These were dodgy areas of town that have been gentrified and pedestrianised so that you could wander around the bars and take a look at the restaurant menus but I shouldn't have thought you would need to book for a Sunday.

Enjoy

Sorry Wino but Ronnie Scotts shut down a couple of years ago! It is now a lapdancing club. Emma if you go to the Birmingham plus web site it lists all the restaurants in and around Brum and in a lot of cases people have reviewed them. Also Brian Turner has a restaurant in The Crown Plaza, we had a good evening meal there but the lunch time buffet was not so good.

No waay ... what a shame. I only moved away from there a couple of years ago!

I no it is a shame Wino we used to go but it was so expensive and we don't mind spending our money on a good night out, we had some good nights there, we saw Lindisfarne, N. Lofgren, Jack Bruce , Ruby Turner, and many more, mind you we went on a Friday night once and i was Nd from a stressful week at work preparing for an Ofsted inspection and i fell to sleep! Mind you it was so dark in there i am not surprised

having spent years at the show (tho' prob. not going this year) I wholeheartedly recommend the Hotel de Vin in the old eye hospital. Enjoy!

If you're after jazz, then you could always go to The Jam House which is in St Paul's Square near the Jewellery Quarter. There are a variety of good restaurants and bars there. However, it is just outside of the Centre.

Brindley Place and the Gas Basin have some decent places (Bank, Petit Blanc, All Bar One) but if you're after something a bit more upmarket and by the canals, then go to the Mailbox.

Other recommendations in the City Centre would be The Coconut Lagoon (indian), San Carlo (FABULOUS Italian restaurant), Café Soya (chinese).

But if you're really after cheap and good food, then get a taxi to the Balti Triangle

So YSL you live in or around Brum i assume? Have you eaten at Paris in the mail box yet is does it live up to the hype?

Yes YSL, isn't San Carlo great - with the bustling atmosphere and snappy service you really could be in Italy - love it!

I used to live near Brindley Place in a trendy penthouse at Sherbourne Lofts but got sick of the impersonality so moved out to the heaven that was Henley in Arden.

Unfortunately we moved away from there and up to Glasgow in 2001 due to work and miss the place like crazy.

Funny it must just be a matter of choice but i don't like San Carlo i think the staff are rude and the food is just average, i have other Italian restaurants in Brum that i like much better.

Being chinese myself... i have a word of warning about Cafe Soya the Chinese cafe. I wouldn't recommend it as the kitchen is very small and inconvenient to the place But the little chinese bakery shop opposite this place called Wah Kee Bakery makes absolutley gorgeous cakes and buns sweet and savoury. Authentic chinese baking style as its not too sweet and very light in texture. yum.
I recommend The Chung Ying Garden Restaurant instead of the Cafe Soya (not the one next to the China Court Restaurant, as this one is also not a very good one). This restaurant makes classic real chinese dishes similar to the country itself with little influence of english tastes.
Shogun in Mailbox is a nice Japanese restaurant... and its not that pricey as theres a good buffet with variety of sushi palates to choose like squid, salmon, tuna, king prawns etc!
Hope this has helped you decide!

Yeah, I live in Birmingham Paris at The Mailbox was more hype than greatness imho. The Italian restaurant I adore and rate the most is Casa Italia on the Hagley Rd. However, it's not in the City Centre which was part of the criteria

I'd agree with you Pam- after a visit to San Carlo I'm never going back- rude staff, rubbish service abd overpriced food. The waiters actually stood over us waiting for us to finish, and took my plate away whilst my partner was still eating! A much better Italian is Buonissimo in Harborne. Other good restaurants are Azzari Too in Bearwood and Milano in Chinatown. We recently visited Las Iguanas (South American food) and were very impressed with their new menu. Great surroundings too.

I'd agree with you Pam- after a visit to San Carlo I'm never going back- rude staff, rubbish service and overpriced food. The waiters actually stood over us waiting for us to finish, and took my plate away whilst my partner was still eating! A much better Italian is Buonissimo in Harborne. Other good restaurants are Azzari Too in Bearwood and Milano in Chinatown. We recently visited Las Iguanas (South American food) and were very impressed with their new menu. Great surroundings too.

Well Simon you have to decide these things for yourself dont you It is open for debate actually as to weather the waiters are deliberately rude or not, a sort of attraction can't see it my self. We went out to The Orange Tree Solihull yesterday would definitely recommend it.The Birmingham Plus ws is good for sussing out places to eat in and around Brum. By the way it makes a change for someone to agree with me on this site

If you want to avoid the city centre traffic you'd do no better than spend ten minutes driving away from the NEC and not only experience the best cuisine for miles around but also stay overnight at the Nuthurst Grange in Hockley Heath.It is an oasis of excellence in a sea of mediocrity and well worth the effort of finding it. However you'll need to book now to be sure of getting a room in November.

Brindley place has an amazing atmosphere at night - it's a bit like christmas - all the trees have wee lights on them! Le petite blanc is a bit overrated(as it is owned by Raymond Blanc!) but just opposite it is a small Italian call Cielo - it's lovely! The staff are very nice, there is a cute water fall in the restaurant and an extensive menu - wherever you chose will be special though as you'll be here for Good Food Live- see you all there!!!

Brindley place is good for bars too, so if you want a nice drink before hand try The Lockside bar or Pitcher and Piano - both very accomodating for a pre-meal drink! I can't recommend Brindley place high enough and it's just off the main street for nights out - Broad Street.

How about trying Hotel du vin in Brum - great wine list good food, or the Boot at Lapworth owned by the same guys who own The Orange Tree at Chadwick End. Or... Zinc in Brum - not far from Broad Street or Bank - overlooks Brindley Place. Agree totally about San Carlo in Temple row/st - nothing special at all takes me back to the days of italian trattoria !!

Good Luck .... Spindlylegs

I tried the San Carlo in mid October and walked out. The staff were rude the table cloth dirty( and when asked if it could be changed it solicited a sigh of olympic proportions ) and the whole place had a tired arrogant atmosphere. Try china town great value anf fun.

Hi All
I am also going to the Goodfood show in November and would like to know a good place to eat but with entertainment if possible?
Thanks
Janice

For those looking for a nice meal whilst staying in the Birmingham area for the good food show 2004, without a doubt Simpson’s in Edgbaston is the place to eat. It is the new venture from Andreas Antona the Michelin starred chef. Set in the plush surroundings of a listed house in Edgbaston. They serve exquisite French cuisine and there are 4 individually decorated guest rooms as well. It really is a must for all serious foodies.
For the more adventurous amongst you I would recommend a trip to Malory Court near Leamington Spa. Another truly superb dining experience and again there are rooms available to book.
Closer to the NEC itself there are two wonderful gastro pubs perfect for a nice dinner, the white Lion in Hampton in Arden and the Malt Shovel at Barston serving excellent fish dishes and Chunky chips!! I do hope you get a chance to sample some of the treats on offer at these restaurants as they really are quite special!! Happy eating!

I went to a lovely restaurant just outside of Birmingham a few years ago called Jonathans. The waitresses were dressed up a bit noncy but the food was very good. Does anyone know if it is still there??

Is there any Italian resturants which do lovely vegetarian foods of different choices?

Yes Jonathans is still there it is in Oldbury. Torz if you go to the birmingham plus web site it has a list of the Italian restaurants in Birmingham. I would think that just by ordering not meat dishes you would have a good choice.

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