the horseshoebarand restaurant in hall green, birmingham 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.
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 thebarincredibly 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 horsehoebarand 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.