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Cuisine: PERSIAN
Area: EDGBASTON

The Essential Taste of Birmingham
Address 167 Hagley Road (nr Ivy Bush), Edgbaston Birmingham
Postcode B16 8UQ  Map
Tel 0121 454 9911
Hours 5pm - 2AM
Facilities LATE OPENING

Full Restaurant Listing

 Here's 479 words from Leigh on Monday, October 16, 2006  
Food: Value Service: Decor: Rating: Cost/head: Suits:
9/10 : 8/10 8/10 7/10 83 % £15 Small social group

Ever keen to sample unfamiliar foods from varied cultures, I enjoyed an excellent meal at this buzzing little restaurant last night (an extremely busy Wednesday).

I was accompanied by three friends, one of whom is Persian and thus acted as our guide on the menu and etiquette.

We decided to forego the starters as our friend/guide warned us the main courses were colossal. Here there was a good choice of kebabs, salads, fish dishes and what they call ‘Iranian Specialities’ (some of which could be served either with meat or as vegetarian dishes).

I plumped (and emphasis – after eating it – would be on the ‘plump’) for the Chello Khoresht Ghorme Sabzi: not quite a curry, but a beautiful lamb stew swimming in split beans, tomatoes and lime, served with a vast heap of rice. Just the ticket on a grey autumn evening. We shared a stack of Iranian naan bread by way of further accompaniment.

We also shared a jug of doogh, a yummy yogurt drink containing mint, which I found very refreshing but have to say received a mixed reaction round the table (probably an acquired taste).

For dessert, myself and one friend opted for the saffron ice cream – again served in mountainous proportions – which was a glorious shade of ‘eat me’ yellow and lusciously refreshing.

The other two girls shared a plate of baklava, a very sweet little pastry containing chopped nuts and honey, and a pot of Iranian tea. I did sample a drop of the latter, and am afraid I have to employ a toe-curling pun by describing this beverage as not my cup of tea (ouch)! (As a point of reference, this tea is served without milk, and it is considered the norm and not slobbish in Persian society to pour it into the saucer and drink thus!)

The bill, split four ways, came to a very reasonable £14 each including tip. But then since Shiraz isn’t licensed – neither are diners permitted to bring their own alcohol – there are no wines or spirits to pump up the price, as can be the case.

One downside is that, travelling in from Sutton Coldfield, the place isn’t the most convenient to get to unless you’re prepared to splurge out for a taxi. I know this isn’t the restaurant’s ‘fault’ as such, but thought I would mention it since I am reviewing the evening as a whole.

Being just out of the city centre, on Hagley Road – close to the Five Ways island – Shiraz isn’t mega accessible by train, and my friend who drove had to park in a side road a good 10-15 minute walk away (which wasn’t overly pleasant in the dark).

Having said that, on the strength of my first visit, I feel the quality of the food is worth a taxi fare!

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REVIEWS

 LEIGH
REVIEWS
No.of reviews: 1
Average Rating: 83%
Highest Rating: 83 %
Lowest Rating: 83 %
The Essential Taste of Birmingham
 
The Essential Taste of Birmingham


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