What places come to mind when you think about eating out in Birmingham?

Although it is not normally somewhere you would think of when going out to eat in the city, the food is excellent at the new Italian Restaurant based in Broadway Casino.

'The Restaurant' has appointed highly trained, expert chefs including Chef Stefano GiganteDenise James / Lensi Photography
‘The Restaurant’ has appointed highly trained, expert chefs including Chef Stefano Gigante

Have you ever left a restaurant wondering what you paid for, or why (although you spent so much) you are still hungry? I have always been a bit perturbed by fine dining that looks great on the plate but gives you child sized portions.

That will not happen here, the portions are plentiful … and deliciously prepared and presented, by an Italian Chef (I mean isn’t this a prerequisite for authenticity of an foreign cuisine).

We met the Chef, Stefano, who talked about his passion for food, where he had worked previously and also how the beef they select is cured for 40 and not 30 days.

The meals at 'The Restaurant' Italian eatery at Broadway Casino are beautifully presented and very fillingDenise James / Lensi Photography
The meals at ‘The Restaurant’ Italian eatery at Broadway Casino are beautifully presented and very filling

You may be asking why his passion for food makes a difference, why mention it? Have you ever been served by someone that hates their job? That have lost their passion if there was ever one? As an artist myself I understand the difference passion makes!

We were met at the door, then were later introduced to Roberto the Manager, again Italian, who was courteous and natural with people, we felt welcome.

The restaurant is situated at the back of the Casino behind the bar and gambling tables, so if you have any concerns about it nor having a restaurant atmosphere, these can be put aside.

'The Restaurant' has spacious booths for fine dining, an incredibly well stocked bar and courteous and friendly staffDenise James / Lensi Photography
‘The Restaurant’ has spacious booths for fine dining, an incredibly well stocked bar and courteous and friendly staff

We sat at a large private booth. We had pre-drinks at the bar. As a non drinker, sometimes asking for a non-alcoholic cocktail can throw staff, but their waiter rustled something up with no problems. To add a nice touch of service, our drinks were bought to our tables by a waitress, you are really made to feel special here.

Waiting staff brought over delicious and aesthetically pleasing drinks, with ample choice even for our non-drinking reviewerDenise James / Lensi Phootgraphy
Waiting staff brought over delicious and aesthetically pleasing drinks, with ample choice even for our non-drinking reviewer

Our menu consisted of starters: Prawns (spiced) and Salmon. My partner said it was the best salmon he had ever tasted (barring mine of course, he didn’t fancy sleeping on the sofa that night!) and the prawns were also to die for.

Mains : Medium-well-done 8oz Steak and Salmon with Veg. Again, full of taste. As someone with a Caribbean background who also shoots a lot of Asian weddings, taste in food is important to me. I know some palettes prefer more bland food, but I want to know it has been seasoned and be able to taste the twist the chef has put on the meat canvas.

We struggled to fit in a dessert, thus is the size of the portions. Tartufo ice cream was our choice, and ice cream moulded to look like a cup cake, with a different flavoured centre.

The desserts at 'The Restaurant' were to die for, and very well preparedDenise James / Lensi Photography
The desserts at ‘The Restaurant’ were to die for, and very well prepared
The final course was as filling as those before, but there's always space for some cakeDenise James / Lensi Photography
The final course was as filling as those before, but there’s always space for some cake

After dinner we had a turn on the tables, roulette which neither of us had played before, was our introduction to Casino life (I won my first bet of course – women’s intuition) it was a lovely end to the night.

We waddled out of the place. You get a lot of quality food for your money here and the service lives up to the same quality. It’s an ideal place to go for many different types of nights out.

After dinner, why not have a turn on the tables?Denise James / Lensi Photography
After dinner, why not have a turn on the tables?

They have packages that include a meal, drink and fun Casino table. While we were there we encountered a group on a works night out, but I can also imagine going there for a birthday night out, hen and stag dos (if you just want a normal night out free from crazy things associated with stags and hens), date night for couples… Oh, and because everyone likes free parking, ’tis worth mentioning that if you dine there, you get free parking, just give your registration at the desk before you leave!

With all that said, would I or we go again? Without hesitation! I am already thinking about coming here for me hen do meal and my partner with his mum. This needs to be added to your the list I asked you about at the start – when you think of eating out in Birmingham, what places come to mind!

Davina James

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