Veggie restaurant Bistro 1847 is just about to reach its first birthday, and when we heard the menu was changing we thought it was definitely time to go back and review again.

Most people when thinking of veggie food conjure images of stuffed peppers and mushrooms or meat replacement products like tofu.  You’ll not find any of that here.  The food is original and vibrant, and very very tasty.  It’s also considerably achieved in terms of technique.

From his small kitchen Chef Alex Claridge (a dead ringer in face and public persona to Jack Whitehall) summons molecular cookery and classic techniques to bring you dishes such as garden pea mousse, with black sesame crisps, broad bean, and Yorkshire fettle; or pickled candy beet, spiced honey & smoked yoghurt, salt baked beetroot, rosehip, and beet falafel; and desserts such as the Allotment aero (the best bubbly minty creamy chocolate you’ll ever have).  Alex’s excitement about the food is absolutely visible in every dish.

The new menu is a departure from the strictly à la carte offering they used to have.  Now it is split between smaller plates, sort of like veggie tapas for sharing, larger versions of the smaller plates if you want a good feed and don’t do sharing (à la “Joey DOESN’T share” from friends), and also a set taster menu.  The small plates average around £6.50, with the larger versions around £13.  There are two taster menus, £27 for 6 courses Monday to Thursday and Friday and Saturday lunches, or for that special Friday or Saturday night dinner £40 for 8 courses.  They call these “first date” menus – I think anyone would be dead chuffed to be taken on a date here.

Bistro 1847 is one of my favourite restaurants in Birmingham.  It may seem fairly casual, but the plates of food are more like something you’ll find in the considerably more expensive fine dining establishments.  Great value, great food.

You can read our previous review of Bistro 1847 here.