Now that’s a naan

Birmingham. Growing up in the 1970s, Birmingham was just somewhere with a complicated road system called Spaghetti Junction, and Fort Dunlop where I thought they made green plimsols and tyres. I think we only ever drove past Birmingham once when I was a kid on the way to Wales. Driving holidays were a big part of my childhood and my mum was famously the worst navigator, and a very nervous passenger. So nervous that she pulled the handle off the door of the Wolseley as we drove over the Pyrenees, on one of our trips to Spain.

When my daughter said she was considering Birmingham university, I was so aghast that I said I wouldn’t visit her. On a par with when I told her she couldn’t do German A level. Takes a long time to understand good parenting, and I am still learning.

Am a convert. Birmingham is a great city. Although I am currently sitting on a train heading north to Stafford in order to go back south via Milton Keynes to London Euston, with a trainful of people who are equally confused on where they are going (some people thought they were going to Rugby and Coventry but a landslide somewhere has created mayhem, and the announcer has welcomed us to Crewe when clearly the sign on the platform says Stafford), I have had a great 24 hours in the UK’s second largest city.

After checking in to our hotel (The Grand – very comfy and free madeleines in the room, Penhaligon’s bathroom stuff and a lovely cocktail bar), we wandered around soaking up the local sights and smells. We headed to Digbeth, which is an arty area, housing some great studios, including Eastside Projects, but sadly nothing was open. The street art was fab and despite a lot of roadworks for HS2, we saw some beautiful buildings along the Grand Union canal which have so far withstood the test of time.

We then walked back towards the main shopping area, past a very funky library (clad in lots of ironwork) with a comfort stop at the Conference centre which had gorgeous art deco doors. The IKON gallery had just reopened after a big refit and I would recommend it. And definitely try the lift. It will make you laugh. Both up and down. The cafe served great tea and cakes, too. Win win.

Cocktails at 7pm in the Madeline bar and then a taxi to the Balti triangle. It has to be done. Couldn’t go to Birmingham and not eat the local dish. Wow. We went to Shababs – definitely go. They don’t have a license so you have to take you own booze – big thanks to Jo for stocking up on beer and wine. The food was incredible. Delicious. Generous portions. We ordered a table naan. And yes, I can safely attest that it is the size of a table. And cooked to perfection as Marcus or Greg would say. I loved it. I want to buy a balti and cook everything in it.

Next morning, after a good night’s sleep, we headed to Medicine, a lovely bakery and restaurant in a beautiful Victorian building on the main street, New Street, and was home to the Royal Society of Birmingham Artists. Although still full from the balti bonanza, the display of cinnamon rolls and pastries was enough to make us feel hungry. I ordered chilli scrambled eggs (keeping the theme of hot food) which came with kale and sourdough toast. And proper Oatly cappucino.

Everyone ordered something different and it was delicious. Definitely go!

So, we will be back. Already planning a summer trip to take advantage of the canal bars and cafes (didn’t realise Birmingham had more canals than Venice).