U.K. and Ireland - Dining near BHX or in City Centre

Hi,

I have an early flight out of BHX on Sunday morning. As such am planning to probably stay at the Novotel and try to eat a decent meal out on the Saturday night. Options are either go into the city centre on the train or try to find somewhere near the airport.

My past dining ventures in the City centre have been rather uninspiring - the place seems awash with chain restaurants but am sure there's some local gems tucked away somewhere.

If we stay near the airport I'm thinking we'll end up heading towards Solihull - I see there's a few curry houses like Zengh not far away, although whether that's fair on my fellow passengers the next day i'm not entirely sure.

Any inspiration welcome!

Thanks

ST

Not been myself, but relatives have been several times to Simpsons (http://www.simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk/), and always ate well.

It's a short cab ride from New St station.

Anything on toptable.com catch your eye ? A quick scan shows a few well-reviewed options, and not all curry houses. Might even pick up a special offer :)

The Teppanyaki in Brindley Place is really good.

Any thoughts on Wong's on Fleet Street?

Any thoughts on Wong's on Fleet Street?

If you like Chinese you'll do a lot worse than Wong's.

I'm more partial to Thai and Japanese, so I don't eat there often, but every time I have been it's been pretty good.

And one more thing would be a place for a couple of civilized drinks on a Saturday early evening, between New Street and wherever we end up (like Wongs)...

Thanks

You'd need to take a cab but I like The Farm in Solihull (actually Whidbey) about 4 miles from BHX. Pub too.

And one more thing would be a place for a couple of civilized drinks on a Saturday early evening, between New Street and wherever we end up (like Wongs)...

Thanks

Go to the Mailbox. There's are a whole host of decent coctail options in there. Malmaison, Penny Black's, etc.

Go to the Mailbox. There's are a whole host of decent coctail options in there. Malmaison, Penny Black's, etc.

Are there any understated pubs/winebars heading from New Street towards Wong's? Mailbox is 1) in the wrong direction and 2) from past experience not exactly what i'm looking for (I feel it's a bit up its own arse...)

This place is the first to spring to mind... Real Ale, for one thing...

http://www.oldjointstocktheatre.co.uk/rte.asp?id=10

Or if you want a true "pub", then there's the Wellington. I doubt they will have a website, but it's a cool pub with about 20 real ales on tap, and you have an ale menu and order by pump number.

Thank you for those - I walked very near that part of town just last week as I now have a client up there. They may well hit the spot assuming they're not jammed to the rafters on a Saturday about 6 or 7 pm....

The Wellington does indeed have a website, too http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/

The Wellington does indeed have a website, too http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/

Very professional it is, too... :D

Is Wong's the sort of place I need to make a reservation for? My gut instinct is no, but given we couldn't get a table at Zizzi in brum a few years back because we didn't have a reservation (no. i'm not kidding) I'm always wary now...

I'd be making a reservation for anywhere in Bham on a Saturday night. I've had to book for Pizza Express in the past...

Very professional it is, too... :D

I'd install myself in The Wellington, and call up somewhere for a high-quality takeaway, personally. ^

In case someone was being facetious :eek:, here is the real-time beer list (http://www.thewellingtonrealale.co.uk/pages/beerboard.php).

Anyway - very central, great place, bring your own food (cutlery supplied), friendly staff.

How many places SE of Brum meet those criteria? :p

What a cracking concept! Suspect my missus wouldn't approve and it is our wedding anniversary, but I certainly intend to drop in for a pint!

PS I live a good way SE of Brum but my local, whilst not having such a great array of real ale, does have a chinese take away on site and they'll let you eat it in the bar ^

Not been myself, but relatives have been several times to Simpsons (http://www.simpsonsrestaurant.co.uk/), and always ate well.

It's a short cab ride from New St station.

I'll second that!

Simpsons is lovely, so is Purnell's, Turners is OK. Also worth a look is the Marco Pierre-White steakhouse on top of the Cube, stunning views and decent food. Asha's is a very good Indian in the CC as is Lasan.

For pubs - the Wellington is the City Centre ne plus ultra, but the Old Contemptibles is worth a look as well (and has decent food).

For Saturday nights, I would ring to book anywhere in the City Centre.

I like Frankie & Benny's at the airport.

So here's how it worked out...

Went to the Wellington - it was rammed and sadly reeked of stale beer that had presumably been spilt on the carpet. That horrible vinegar smell you get. Needless t say we had a pint and that was very good, but then nipped round the corner to the Stockjoint which was far quieter (and cleaner).

Wandered up to Wongs which is no longer called Wongs, but all the branding still says Wongs. Confused? I was...

Anyway the reservation wouldn't have been necessary but the meal was very good and service attentive. Suspect this place might be busier either with the work crowd during the week or maybe we were a bit early (we left about 8.30pm).

So thanks all for your input. I did look at the MPW place - booked out. Similar story for Simpsons.