The Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant | indian & more

The Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant in Hall Green, Birmingham (map) is something of a culinary chimaera, made up of contrasting components just like the mythical creature. As manager Tanveer Handa explained to us, the goal is to provide high quality Indian cuisine alongside traditional gastropub fare.

[by Ahmed Ahmed]

atmosphere

The venue’s interior reflects this dual ethos. Previously a traditional local pub, the Horseshoe has been transformed into a warm and inviting space, where wood and brown leather create the atmospher of a cosy yet upmarket gastropub. Sadly the Eastern decor is more sparse, but a few graceful statuettes indicate that Chilli & Spice, the restaurant’s Indian avatar, is also present.

food

Naturally, the menu offers a variety of options for the palate. However, don’t expect fusion dishes. The philosophy is very much to keep the Indian food separate from the other cuisine, as reflected by the two separate menus.

Despite its name, the ‘English menu’ in fact carries options as diverse as tiger prawns, crispy duck and various pasta dishes, alongside the normal pub grub choices like fish and chips and lamb shank. The amount of choice is perhaps a bit overwhelming, despite the valiant attempt to cover all bases.

The Chilli & Spice menu however, is intensely focused on fine Indian fare. Starters kasondhi ka jingha (jumbo prawns marinated and flavoured with honey and mustard) together with barrah kebab (lamb chops marinated in yoghurt, garlic and ginger) set the bar incredibly high for the rest of the meal.

Thankfully, murg methi (chicken cooked with fenugreek leaves in creamy gravy) lived up to expectations, providing a deliciously flavoursome experience without resorting to the overuse of pepper and spice many curries are guilty of.

For dessert (if you can manage to find room) we recommend gajar ka halwa. This is a classic Indian dessert combining grated carrots and milk reduction in a sweet partnership that tops off your meal perfectly.

drink

While the Horsehoe Bar and Restaurant wine menu is good, the cocktails made more of an impression. In particular, moreish house specials lychee martini and spiced mojito represent the restaurant’s most successful attempts at uniting East and West.

You can enjoy exclusive discounts at this Birmingham restaurant and many more nationwide with a Gastro Card. Click here to find out more.

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Pushkar’s Indian street food for Birmingham Food Fest

Birmingham Food Fest 2011 (14 – 23 October) will see polished Indian restaurant Pushkar return to more earthy roots, with a specially created menu offering dhaba – Indian street food – to food lovers with a taste for adventure.

[by Ahmed Ahmed]

These original recipes, authentic and unaltered, recall the rough and ready cuisine that can be bought at any roadside in India. The range focuses on Punjabi and North Indian specialties, for which Pushkar has built a reputation in Birmingham.

The word dhaba literally means a shack or a box, and denotes the setting from which travellers and businesspeople traditionally purchase food while on the go.

Don’t be fooled by the simple origins, however. Although inspired by rustic fare, this menu tastes every bit as rich and delicious as the Indian cuisine you may already be used to.

Tried and tested options like tandoori chicken and lamb keem kaleji will make an appearance, but here is a selection of the more exotic offerings. Highly recommended:

Sammi kabab

Deep-fried cake of lamb, lentil (channa dhal), spices and herbs

Lazeez gosht

Diced lamb slow cooked with bell peppers and cabbage with cashew nut, onion, tomatoes and yoghurt

Baigan bharta

Sauté of smoked, crushed aubergine

Rasmalai

Rish Indian dessert of creamed cheese dumplings cooked in reduced milk sauce served garnished with slivers of nuts

Gajrela (see picture)

Finely grated carrots cooked on a slow heat with a delicate touch of cardamom, garnished with nuts and served with pistachio ice cream.

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