Anita Champaneri of Delicious PR picks some of her favourite restaurants in and around Solihull.
Emporio Artari
If you’re looking for a good place to eat the best pizza and pasta, Artari is the place for you. Located in the atrium in Touchwood shopping centre, it’s a great pit stop whilst shopping. They also have an early dinner menu for cinemagoers – two courses and a glass of wine for £20. Owned by an Italian family, the menu offers definitive Italian cuisine.
It’s also a great place to meet a celebrity: TV chef Aldo Zilli is their brand ambassador and visits every month.
Alioli
Say hola to this new Spanish restaurant and tapas bar, inspired by the gypsy culture of Andalusia, serving food that sparks passion and artistic energy.
The menu features a range of small plates including chorizo with onion jam or chicken croquettes with honey mustard mayo; there’s also paella on offer as well as meatballs with tomato sauce for those who want something heartier. They even do their own sangria selection which is perfect for summer dining.
Fiesta Del Asado
A great Argentinian steak restaurant in the Solihull area? Where else but Fiesta del Asado. The décor and atmosphere are stunning, with very friendly and attentive staff too. It may be known for great steaks and fine wine but the lamb cutlets and Duroc pork belly are to die for too. If you can’t decide, try the Gaucho’s Feast, a juicy selection of flat iron steak, grilled lamb cutlets, chicken wings, pork belly, butifarra, morcilla and chistorra pork sausage, served with a potato terrine and picante chimichurri. Awesome.
The Boat at Catherine de Barnes
This picturesque pub, long popular with locals, is a mix of upmarket and cosy casual, and is perfect for family gatherings and Sunday lounging. The food is simple but delicious: think roasts with all the trimmings (including Yorkshire puddings), pies filled with local game and fish, hearty stews and casseroles made from seasonal ingredients – plus lots more besides. There are plenty of vegetarian options too, and they have an extensive gluten-free menu. With an impressive beer garden, make sure you pre-book when the sun is out.
SKVP
Located on Shirley High Street, this Indian vegetarian/vegan restaurant offers a variety of tasty Indian street food: spicy and delicious with dishes such as Vada Pav (a bargain at five for £10). Vada is made of a spicy potato filling deep-fried in a gram flour batter and served in a bap with three chutneys and a fried green chilli. It’s so yummy.
My favourite is the Pau Bhaji, mashed vegetables in a masala sauce served with hot buttered baps. It’s excellent value for money too – you can eat here for under £10 per person – and enjoy paneer makhanwala, dhal makhani and many more Mumbai favourites.
Fukuoka Japanese
An authentic Japanese restaurant in Shirley that specialises in traditional, authentic and delicious Japanese cuisine complete with floor seating and décor inspired by Japanese culture. You’ll find a range of delicious options on the menu: sushi, tempura, gyoza, sashimi, temaki and plenty more at this affordable neighbourhood restaurant on the High Street.
Tio Latino
The latest exciting new addition to Touchwood. This Latin American restaurant oozes a vibrant atmosphere, and the décor is an explosion of colour against an exciting salsa soundtrack. It certainly gets you into the Latino spirit! The menu boasts the best of Latin American cuisine, including traditional dishes such as burritos, quesadillas and tacos. The spicy prawn tacos and chicken empanadas are mouth-wateringly good, and the chicken quesadillas are served as a bumper portion with authentic corn tacos. And be sure to leave room for the chocolate churros. There is a 50% discount for Taco Tuesdays, plus they run a 2-for-1 cocktails offer every day.
Birmingham-based Delicious PR specialises in the region’s food, drink and hospitality sector. It also runs the Dinehub Birmingham website, designed to help you find the best food and drink experiences in your local area.