Tag Archives: desi

Revisit: The Lazy Hill Tavern [Ale Pub and Kitchen]

Aldridge:

Original post here

Whatpub Link

Website

It’s been a while since we went here, and it’s changed a fair bit, it’s become a Desi Pub, and a quick poke around the web suggests a connection with both The Fourways and The Island Inn.

Inside, the pub itself isn’t so different; the layout is the same, but it’s been panelled, re-ulpholstered, and generally tidied. There’s still some ale, and a choice of decent lager too.

What is different is the original function room at the back is now a sizeable restaurant, and has been extended out as well, making a huge space.

We didn’t take to it. To be clear, it’s smart looking, the food was fabulous- really good..

However, it felt a little like a canteen- partly because it was very busy, I think. You have to order at the bar, understandable given the size and throughput. The place was noisy– hard surfaces, lots of people, too-loud music (even in the toilets!), and TVs made for a bit of an assault on the senses. It was Friday night though.

The Hen and Chickens

Hockley, Birmingham:

Whatpub Link
Pub Heritage Link
Website

Desi pub in a lovely traditional Victorian building, on the edge of the Jewellery Quarter, in the direction of the city.

It feels like it was maybe once much bigger- it’s now one room. The staff were really pleasant- the tables were all reserved for diners, but they said we were OK for a drink at one for a while. The food looked and smelt fabulous, the beer was good, and there was a nice atmosphere.

The Flying Tiger Bar

Walsall:

We’d gone into Walsall, and while we love Golden Moments, we always go there. The other Indian we loved, Blue Ginger, was closed, awaiting rebirth as a new restaurant.

Five Rivers is lovely, but too expensive for anything but a special occasion, so we thought we’d give Flying Tiger a go: Our very own Lord Nargis, heir apparent to the Mayorship of Walsall, had visited, but not eaten.

It’s very much a desi pub. it feels like one: TVs playing sport or Asian music (the lovely owners turned it down for us as no-one was sat near us), no ale, but Kingfisher lager, and a comprehensive Indian menu. The place was quiet when we arrived, but soon filled up a bit. We had a medium mixed grill and lager, and liked the place a great deal: friendly staff, great food, decent lager. Very reminiscent of The Sportsman.

Revisit: The Boatman’s Rest

A revisit of a revisit.

Previous post here
Whatpub Entry

The Boatman’s Rest has changed hands again, and the latest incarnation is pretty much a Desi pub: the lounge is basically an Indian restaurant.

Pretty good too. rumour has is that it is owned by the people that run The Red Lion, and the menu looks similar. Odd bit of synchronicity there; the first time I visited this pub (in the 70s) it was The Red Lion. Great food, friendly staff, no cask but decent lager.

The Fourways

Rowley Regis:

Pub Website
Whatpub Entry
We picked up the desi pub tour we left hanging back in 2018, with the last pub from the book, and the hardest to get to, but still not a major trial.

The pub itself is another roadhouse style pub, like several of the others, and quite imposing on a crossroads near the top of a hill. There’s two statues of Queens Guards at one door, and two coppers at the other, and a variety of other statues in the beer garden. Inside is a bit opened out, but not too much, but it’s clearly set up for food, though it hasn’t ruined the pub atmosphere. Friendly staff, fantastic food. No cask but good lager. Lots of TVs, but the volume was sane and they were showing WRC rather than football 🙂 .

Revisit: The Boatman’s Rest

Previous Revisit Here

Original Post Here

The landlord from the first revisit is still there, but there’s a subtle change: the pub seems to be going Desi.

The kitchen is refurbed, the lager is Cobra, and there’s a fairly typical indian barbecue menu on, which, to be fair, is excellent. The terrible stereo is still present in the bar, and there’s no ale, but the Cobra was fine and the food great, though it remains to be seen if Walsall Wood High St can sustain 3 establishments serving Indian food, even with me living nearby.

The Island Inn

West Bromwich:

Whatpub Link

Another Desi pub. Modern building, right on a busy junction of major roads in West Brom. No cask ale, but decent lager. Friendly staff. Impressive-looking menu (but a bit pricier than others). There’s 2 rooms; a big, open bar with multiple TVs showing sport (but the volume was down when we visited), and a separate restaurant room. Again, a laid back, early-doors atmosphere, with people dropping on after work.

The Ivy Bush

Smethwick:

Whatpub Link

Corner pub that extends along Malin St some way; it’s a long, thin building. Nice, old fashioned-layout- bar at the front, multiple lounges stretching back, and toilets that were obviously once outside, but now roofed over.

Another visit on our Desi pub tour, but no food evident when we visited (about 4pm), but very much the proper pub atmosphere- tradesmen dropping in for a pint after work. Friendly landlord. No cask ale, but handpumps on the bar, and at least decent lager.

The Red Cow

Smethwick:

Pub Website
Whatpub Link

Continuing our Desi pub tour, this was one of the more outlying ones, so a day off seemed like a good way to tackle it.

Outside, like some of the other Desi pubs, it’s a huge, inter-war pub, and it’s right on Smethwick High St, with bus stops nearby. Easily spotted by the huge Red Cow statue outside!

Inside is similarly large, and multi roomed- it’s opened out a little, but not completely. Decor is quite basic, but clean. There’s a couple of pool tables, and plenty of seating. Generally, it’s the standard recipe of TVs for sport, really good Indian food (bargain priced), and keg beer (including Cobra, but it was out, so I got Stella). Pleasant staff and customers.