Situated in Hilton Birmingham Metropole, right on the banks of Pendigo Lake, is a sophisticated bar and restaurant that opened late last year. After having a quick peek online, I could see that this trendy destination at Resorts World boasted glamorous interiors and lovely views, so when I next needed a date night spot? I jumped at the opportunity to check Brightsmith on the Water out.

If you're looking for restaurants near Hilton Metropole, this one sits right within it.

The decor was very stylish and modern, showcasing a majestic blue and gold colour scheme, from the walls to the furniture, with the tasteful addition of floral prints. Luckily for us, though sat at a table inside, we were next to the terrace doors so we could enjoy some fresh air and the pretty views overlooking the lake. Despite it being a Friday evening, the restaurant was surprisingly empty, with just a few people sitting outside having a drink. While it felt strange to be in a quiet dining environment, it meant that the waiters gave their full attention to providing exceptional service; they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome.

I was excited to try the coconut daiquiri (£13), made up of three different expressions of coconut (rum, purée and milk), as well as lime juice and a dash of curaçao. It had a similarly smooth and creamy consistency to a piña colada, although was a little stronger on the coconut - plus, thanks to the curaçao, it had a vibrant blue hue. My fiance sipped the pineapple and apricot margarita (£13), a sweet concoction that offered familiar flavours to a pornstar martini.

Both the interiors and dishes were beautifully presented at this nice restaurant in Birmingham.

After catching up over cocktails, we dug into our starters. I opted for mushrooms on toast (£11), a delicious plate of toasted brioche topped with mushrooms in a cheesy, garlic sauce accompanied by a rocket salad. The other half went for a serving of cucumber and pea soup (£10) which had a delightful, creamy consistency, sprinkled with crispy onions and ciabatta croutons.

For the main event, I couldn't wait to try the gnocchi (£15). The little bites came stuffed with creamy mozzarella and punchy pesto, which paired beautifully alongside the soft, bouncy texture of the pasta. The icing on top was the rich cherry tomato and basil sauce that was drizzled over - it really brought the whole plate together. On the other side of the table, my dinner date dived into the deliciously buttery and spicy chicken masala (£22), served with cumin basmati rice, garlic naan, raita and mango chutney.

You won't regret nabbing one of the delish puddings off of Brightsmith on the Water's menu.

Because our food came out spaciously, we found ourselves able to fit in dessert. We both decided on the chocolate fondant (£8) and it was hands-down one of the best puddings we’ve ever had. The cake had been baked to perfection, with an oozing, gooey chocolate centre, which went all too well with the clotted ice cream. Finishing on a high, we both knocked back a final glass of Mirabeau Pure rose wine (£13 each).

The DesignMyNight Digest

Brightsmith on the Water was a five-star experience. Not only did the place provide a friendly atmosphere, rich, elegant interiors and a terrace with lake views, but we also enjoyed every single one of our dishes immensely. Whether you want some cocktails with friends or a fancy dinner date, this intimate restaurant will give you everything you could want for an evening out.

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