Restaurant of the Month is brought to you by Dine Birmingham, the city's online restaurant guide.
Birmingham has no shortage of top-quality places to eat. Any foodie worth their salt knows that the city boasts three Michelin-starred restaurants. That’s right, in the UK only London has more, and that other contender for the dubious title of ‘second city’ is yet to win a single one.
But enough gloating. The lovely DMN folks wanted to regularly highlight a dining spot in the city, and we at Dine Birmingham were happy to oblige. First up is a restaurant that has done its fair share to put the city on the national culinary map. Lasan, in Birmingham’s pretty Jewellery Quarter, won Great British Menu in 2011 and was also presented with an award for ‘Best Local Restaurant’ by Chef Hard-To-Please himself, Gordon Ramsey
What’s the vibe?
Forget your preconceptions. Lasan is a cut above even Birmingham’s great selection of Indian restaurants. The emphasis is on gourmet fare and a fine dining experience, in a venue that just happens to serve Indian cuisine. That being said, there are many delicate yet distinctive touches of Subcontinental luxury. If you ever have to entertain an Indian Rajah in the city, this is the place to take him.
What’s on the menu?
Carefully-sourced British produce meets South Asian flavours and flair. Not that a good bargain curry doesn’t hit the spot from time to time, but you’ll find none of your run-of-the-mill chicken tikka masalas here!
Instead, expect options like Goan Mackerel Recheado, ‘Scottish mackerel fillet, pan fried and lightly pickled in chilli and garlic, with south Indian thoran tikki.’ Afghani Lamb sounds simple enough, but is described as ‘free range Wiltshire Downs lamb cutlet with a soft shin and lentil pattie, spiced with cinnamon and black cardamom.’ It’s all in the preparation and seasoning.
Alongside the traditional Indian desserts like kulfi and gajar halva, you’ll find treats like spiced apple macaroon. The menu cheekily suggests you should pair this with a cognac, of which there are a few to tempt you.
What’s the damage?
Starters come in at £8-£12, mains £16-£25, desserts £5-£8, drinks start at £4 and bottles of wine from £17.
The new Lasan Indian Summer Banquet menu offers three courses for £19.98 on Sundays, running until the end of September. What’s more, Dine Birmingham is currently running a competition and offering the chance to win a free banquet for two.
