Purnell's

Jon (19 June 2008)

I dined at Purnell's with my wife during a June 2008 visit to Birmingham for the BBC Good Food Show. We arrived on time, were shown to a table in the bar area and then ignored for 20 minutes, which only ended with a pre-dinner drinks order. Three staff milling round the bar studiously had nothing to do with us as time rolled by. Twenty minutes later, when we were about to leave, we were finally given menus, and the amuse bouches were pathetic for a place of this standard. I could empty a jar of olives at home and don't see why this took 40 minutes. The flair we had hoped for was simply not in evidence at this stage, when other top end places will already have you hooked with a variety of exciting tastes and textures.

Things picked up with a pre-starter at 55 minutes after our arrival, that had a challenging flavour, if little substance. If you are on a budget watch out for the temptation to fill up on repeat side bread orders. Starters were unexceptional, though the mains were among the best meat cookery we've found in the UK. I'd echo your earlier reviewer in saying we were still hungry after the mains though. Purnell's were flexible in this regard and happily served us with an additional different main course at our request, which was also of a wonderful standard and showed mastery of different techniques. The cheese selection wasn't exciting, and the desserts did not meet our expectations given Mr Purnell's win for this course in the Great British Menu. The wine list is good and it caters for all but the most extreme expense account excesses, while having plenty of more accessible fare at an acceptable 1-200% of retail markup. The sommelier/restaurant manager and staff are charming once they realise you are there. Our evening cost about £400 for two and was on balance of about Michelin one star standard. With a single bottle wine and fewer extras it would have been more like the £150-£200 for two, which is not unusual at that level. Many aspects of the experience could be tightened up, particularly getting customers to table in less than half an hour, but food wise it is definitely going along the right lines and I would visit again if in Birmingham.

Nicky (26 April 2008)

We were four of us who dined at Purnell’s on a Friday for my partner’s birthday. We were placed in the private dining area without being asked and so missed out on any ambience there may have been in the restaurant. What is advertised as three courses for £38 quickly increases with the various supplements. Whilst the food is very tasty and well presented, the portions are too small and we all went home hungry. The staff need to be aware of the fact that the front door gets stuck after each new guest has entered, which leaves everyone in the bar to freeze. We had to ask staff to refill our champagne glasses as our bottle had been taken away to the bar. Service charge of nearly £40 was not warranted.

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