By Dionne Gordon
All pictures are my own
As a thorough foodie it’s fair to say I am MISSING the restaurants. Breakfasts, bottomless brunches, bouji dinners, cocktails, dressing up and socialising. I am dreaming of the day that we can return to indulge in Birmingham’s delicious food and drink scene.
With so many new additions pending, I cannot wait to be able to try them out and return to my old favourites.
Continue reading to go through a journey of some of my favourite foodie experiences pre lockdown. *Warning* Temptation to eat everything in sight and excessive salivation may occur.
Dishoom Birmingham
In September 2020 I had the pleasure of dining at Dishoom Birmingham for my second time. Each time I’ve visited I have been highly impressed – food, service, ambience and views a big thumbs up from me all round. Situated in the heart of Birmingham’s newest development – Paradise, Dishoom Birmingham overlooks the beauty of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Town Hall, and the Chamberlain Monument fountain (so opt for a window seat if possible).
If you haven’t visited before, the staff are so helpful and informative in terms of explaining the menu and their personal recommendations. The menu is very easy to understand and dishes arrive as and when they are ready not in the standard format of starters, mains then desserts.
Some of the dishes that I have tried include the: Sausage Breakfast Naan, Chilli Chicken, Okra Fries, Spicy Lamb chops, Gunpowder Potatoes, Masala Prawns, Chicken Ruby, Cheese/Garlic Naan, Chilli Butter Bhutta, House Black Daal, Mutton Chaap Korma, Paneer Pineapple Tikka, Chicken Tikka Roll, Paneer Roll with a selection of tipples and kulfis. (A lot I know!)
Upon my return, Chilli Chicken, Cheese Naan, Masala Prawns, Chicken Ruby and Chilli Butter Bhutta are definitely going to be among my selection a long with some dishes that I’m dying to try - Murgh Malai and Kejriwal (a breakfast dish). The food is so flavoursome and I strongly advise sharing dishes with whoever you’re dining with in a tapas style, that way you can sample more of the amazing dishes.
Until we are able to dine in, Dishoom have a few at home recipes for you try , an online store and a delivery/takeaway service.
Tattu
One of the city’s most Instagrammable restaurants serving up contemporary Chinese cuisine and cocktails. If you haven’t been, it should definitely be on your ‘to go to’ list post-lockdown. Some may think it’s a pretentious spot full of ‘Instagrammers’ posing but I assure you that is not the case. The atmosphere is cosy and spectacular so the temptation to get a snap by the blooming blossom trees is understandable but nevertheless it is a very comfortable vibe throughout the restaurant.
Once again, it’s always a good idea to go with a guest who has a similar palette to you as you can share a selection of dishes – allowing more variety and…more food! (Yay).
Three of my favourite dishes include the Thai Style Monkfish, Lobster and Prawn Toast and the Duck Egg Fried Rice washed down with the Skull Candy cocktail!
The prices are a little more expensive than your average restaurant but the trip is totally worth it for a special occasion or date night.
Enjoy Tattu to You and exclusive Tattu dishes in the comfort of your home until we are able to dine in again.
Lychee Garden
A hidden gem on Hagley Road and one of my all time favourites! I have been a loyal customer to Lychee Garden for more years than I can count. I will be honest, it is a no frills restaurant so if you want to dress to the nines Tattu may be your preferred choice but their food is simply divine.
When I hear ‘all you can eat buffet’ my initial thoughts are; food that’s been sat there for hours, cold food, stale food, contaminated, I could go on. At Lychee Garden this is far from the case, it is eat as much as you like however you select your dishes from a menu and they are cooked fresh and brought out via table service.
Some of my favourite dishes include Sweet and Sour Cantonese style chicken and prawns, Chicken Yuk Soong, Prawn Toast and Chicken Fu Yung.
They are continuing to offer a normal Chinese takeaway service throughout lockdown however this is not an eat as much as you like offer! During lockdown I have utilisted the takeaway service and tried dishes that aren’t on the buffet menu, the Salt Pepper Prawns and Salt Pepper Chips (obsessed much) are both amazing and I highly recommend.
If you too are missing Birmingham’s restaurants here is a list of places that are still offering takeaway, collection or delivery during lockdown.
Related
Dishoom Birmingham is located in the heart of the city at One Chamberlain Square, part of Paradise Birmingham. Everything Dishoom does shares the team’s deep love for Bombay – its food, its history, its culture and its quirks.
Comments
Comments are disabled for this post.
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
