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The unusual but amicable juxtaposition of Chinese food with Lahori cuisine tends to make heads turn, but just a visit will confirm that the chefs know what they are doing at the Lahore Karahi Halal Chinese restaurant in Birmingham. The interior is rich and opulent with traditional pillars and carved furniture alongside Oriental designs on the walls that create an interesting contrast making it a great venue for a special occasion.

Start with sesame shrimps on toast and a sliced chicken and vegetable soup, followed by beef with chilli and black bean sauce and Singapore fried rice for a satisfying meal. The other alternative would be to opt for starters of lamb tikkas, tender pieces marinated in yoghurt, herbs and spices and cooked inside a clay oven and then a main course of biryani, rice cooked with spices, garlic and ginger served with a special curry sauce. Finish with the gulab jamun, cottage cheese balls fried in ghee and soaked in a cardamom infused syrup.

Tamil Nadu is popular for its hospitality and a deep belief that serving food to others is a service to humanity, Madras is the capital city of that state and was established in the seventeenth century by the British. Madras Currys is a recent and innovative addition to the Indian eating out scene in Birmingham offering guests the unusual aromas and flavours of the Tamil cuisine.

Podi uthappam - pancake topped with spicy special powder - and idiyappam, steamed rice noodles served with vegetable kurma or sambar, are a couple of interesting ideas for a different breakfast. For a lighter bite you could try masala vadai, spicy lentil patties flavoured with green chilli, curry leaves and ginger, or fresh squid deep fried with different spices. Specialities include dishes such as began bhartha - grilled aubergine made with coconut gravy - special boneless chicken in pepper sauce or fish in South Indian village style with a touch of tamarind and lemon rice.

Here we have an old-established favourite, tucked away in Sparkbrook which has been bringing joy to the palates of people from all nations for over thirty years. Imrans has always had the good sense to go with the times, absorbing Balti as it arrived and not afraid to innovate, to which their family size naan bear witness. In a way it is comforting in a restless world to see such places continuing their steady way, nor is it particularly bad for business. You will need to take along your own bottles - no license.

The original concept for All Bar One was developed by two enterprising ladies, who wanted a bar ideal for women to have a drink and something to eat without the intimidating confines of a traditional pub. Little wonder, that the place has huge glass frontage, open spaces and interiors that are bright and airy. The first outlet opened in Sutton in 1994, became a huge hit, and there has been no looking back since. Today there are close to forty outlets, including one in Cologne, Germany. Irrespective of location, they have identical wooden flooring, menu and service. Antique mirrors, natural colours and reclaimed wooden furniture combine classic and modern styles well.

The menu has tapas from different parts of the world, including the Mediterranean region, Italy and the East. One can also have a variety of burgers, sandwiches and salads. Baked goats' cheese parcels, flat mushroom and halloumi burgers are highlights of the menu, as is the All Bar One beef and coriander burger, a house speciality. With the emphasis being as much on drink as the food, many outlets display a wall of champagne and wines, with beers and spirits thrown in for good measure. The blackboards on the wall often flaunt the impressive selections.

The success formula of All Bar One has been faith in doing simple things well, and that is what they are best known for. A place that is hard to define, for it is not just a bar, restaurant, café or pub, but a special place where people can unwind alone or in company.

We're living in an age where people are obsessed with food more than they were before and Birmingham's vibrant dining scene is no stranger to this trend;  if you happen to drive around Broad Street places like Celebrity Indian Restaurant demonstrate this better. Housed within a Grade II listed building the interior oozes with character with period features such as chandeliers and mirrors.

The menu is an exceptional convergence of contemporary dishes as well as tried and tested old favourites, so there could be haash shashlik, tender pieces of duck marinated with garlic and spices, grilled in the tandoor; chicken tikka and onion bhajee. It's comforting to see venison in an Indian carte and here it arrives as horin steak soaked with fresh herbs and spices and then pan-fried till tender. Before hitting the stop button, take time off to explore the dessert list that moves beyond the usual Indian sweets; try menta Bianca e cioccoloto, white mint flavoured ice cream coated in chocolate syrup with a chocolate centre.

In its elegant setting in Chad Square, Birmingham, Regards provides some of the appetizing flavours identical with traditional Indian cuisine from all corners of India and Bengal. Be prepared for regal surroundings when you find yourself ensconced in this charming place, as you enjoy a delightful meal.

The menu follows the authentic route, bringing classic starters such as kodi vepudu, sliced pieces of chicken breast, served in a robust yogurt and curry leaf sauce, and barrah chops, lamb chops marinated overnight, spiced with crushed garlic, ground chillies, cloves, coriander, mustard and yogurt, cooked in tandoor. For main course you can try dum ka gosht, tender lamb meat cooked in a unique sauce made form poppy seed, cashew nuts, channa dal and onion, then flavoured with chef's selection of spices, and garnished with coriander and fried onion, served with basmati rice, and malai kofta. A variety of Indian breads are at hand on the extensive menu.

Start with a cocktail, say a bourbon cookie, cosmopolitan or a parson green apple before tackling some food that will vary from pub to pub. There are bar meals, try lime and coriander chicken in Didsbury, or a more formal approach in restaurant style, what about 21 day hung, 10 oz British sirloin steak in Mayfair, with homemade chocolate brownie, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce in Birmingham. In general the menus are very similar, with plenty of choices all round.

There are now over twenty five branches of Pitcher and Piano where you can be assured of the same decent levels of food and drinks, service and quality. Surely that's better than the lucky dip approach?

Ming Moon Restaurant in Hurst Street offers a value-for-money Chinese buffet with an array of starters, soups, salads and mains from various regions of the republic. All the advantages of a buffet, that it is quick, convenient and offers enough choice, are present here. Guests can relax in the contemporary setting with the friendly, eager to please staff at their service.

You could begin the meal with rolls of egg, roast pork or shrimp, scallion pancakes, chicken fingers, barbeque spare ribs, steamed vegetable dumplings, fried baby shrimp, sliced roast pork or teriyaki beef. The hearty start is followed by more variety with chicken in black bean sauce, Hunan beef, kung po shrimp, roast pork with Chinese vegetables, beef or shrimp chop suey, lobster and crab lo mein, Singapore rice noodles and roast pork egg foo young.

Food is cooked in the traditional Chinese style with emphasis on preserving the natural flavours while also using modern techniques to make it healthier. As a result dishes such as shrimp and scallop with vegetables and bean curd, sautéed broccoli with baby corn and snow peas, eggplant with garlic sauce and moo shu chicken incorporate the best of both worlds.

More variety comes your way with chef's specials of scallops sautéed with broccoli, snow peas and bak choy in oyster sauce, fresh jumbo shrimp, scallop, crab and lobster meat in a special white wine sauce and crispy boneless duck with chicken, beef, pork and vegetables. Vegetarians can look forward to an interesting range too.