The latest edition of the renowned Cobra Curry Guide is now out featuring over 1500 of the circa 9,000 ‘curry’ restaurants in the UK. Based on reader recommendations, it includes a West Midland section that has several pages on the Balti Triangle. Restaurants featured are Adil, Al Frash, Al Faisal, Grameen Kadah, Imran, Kababish, Popular, Shabab, Shahi Nan Kebab House, and Shereen Kadar. Congratulations, by the way, to Jewellery Quarter Restaurant ‘Itihauss’ which is one of only nine restaurants over the last 25 years to secure the coveted ‘Best in UK ‘ Hall of Fame category.’

A recent article on obesity unfairly targetted the Balti Triangle and attracted the following response in the Birmingham Evening Mail ….

To: letters@birminghammail.net

Subject: TAKEAWAYS

Date: Mon, 17 Dec 2012 22:55:47 +0000

Birmingham finished a lamentable 6th in the latest competition which, given the half baked approach of the relevant agencies, wasn’t really a surprise. Not that ‘trendy’ restaurant Lasan could care as they patronisingly poured scorn on the many restaurants who serve up traditional ‘curries’ for their customers’ enjoyment.

Surely,as a supposedly multi cultural City, we should have a proper ‘go’ at  entering next year’s competition, and I have suggested that the City Council, Marketing Birmingham and the Evening Mail sit down at least three months before the 2013 Competition, with the various Associations, to put in some real time and hopefully some modest resources in preparing properly…

Remember those balti meals at Xmas? Bored with a plated dinner and the brussel sprouts? For those looking for a Xmas Meal with a difference, parties of between 20 and 50 can book a three course Balti meal (private room) with a cookery demo, a curry quiz and fun prizes. For more information contact Andy Munro on 07985-169462 or munroandy@hotmail.com

Top balti restaurant Shabab, on the Ladypool Road, has had to close for a few weeks following an incident when a drink driver crashed into their premises in a late night incident. Luckily nobody was hurt in the incident and the Police apprehended the driver.

STOP PRESS;THE RESTAURANT IS DUE TO REOPEN FOR BUSINESS ON THURSDAY  8TH NOVEMBER

DEFRA have confirmed that the application to safeguard the ‘Birmingham Balti’ has successfully come through the UK Objection Period. The next steps will be a pilot to test out the authentication process before submitting to the EU Commissioners.

Two new restaurants have recently opened in the Balti Triangle, Imlees on the Moseley Road (previously the premises of Cinammon Red) and Mughal e Azam, in the Springfield area of the Stratford Road.

It was pleasing to see the role of the Birmingham Balti recognised in the magazine’s main theme this month of ‘Curry Culture‘. It also lists under ‘Best Bites’, their take on the best 30 ‘curry’ restaurants. Eleven are predictably from London with the next in line being Leicester and Brum. Of our three, it’s good to see Shabab in the frame and ex Balti Triangle veggie specialists Jyoti.

Making up the trio predictably is Lasan. it’s just a shame that their chef Aktar still had to ‘slag off’ balti. He needs to concentrate on his own pretentious food. When I debated curry with him on the radio, he didn’t even know what a balti was and, even worse, for this ‘fount’ of ‘Indian’ culinary knowledge, didn’t even know what a popular Indian fruit was when I asked him!!

I rest my case.

Birmingham’s famous Balti is now the subject of an application for European ‘protected’ food name status with an application lodged for it to be registered as a TSG (Traditional Speciality Guaranteed). In doing so, it is the first ‘ethnic’ food in the UK to be the subject of a proposed TSG and, if successful, it will join the ranks of British stalwarts such as Melton Mowbray Pork Pies, Stilton Cheese and Arbroath Smokies.

As a proud Brummie, I wanted to see the genuine Birmingham Balti protected as this is the City where the phenomenon started. Unfortunately the term ‘Balti’ has almost become a generic term for curry and I want to ensure that the original fast cooked dish is properly protected from being diluted in its use.

It has taken over a year’s hard work to get to formal submission even with great support from Adas UK and Matt O’Callaghan who masterminded the successful application for the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie.

Birmingham now has some fabulous restaurants yet it is still the Birmingham Balti that is the initial culinary hook, as a recent article in the New York Times illustrates.

• Popular
• Adil
• Al Frash
• Shabab
• Shahi Nan Kebab House

THE BALTI BITES BACK!

After yet another round of unnecessary balti bashing by the ‘haughty-cuisine’ clique of City Centre ‘Indian’ restaurants,it is worth noting that the prestigious New York Times has just placed Birmingham in its top 20 of ‘must see’ places in the world based on its food offer. Why,  might ask? Well although restaurants like Purnells and Lasan are rightly mentioned in despatches, the main headline reason is its reputation as the home of the Balti. I wonder if there is a curried version of humble pie?!

If there is a large group of you locally and you need transport, why not hire a ‘Balti Bus’. Contact is Sue who runs the legendary ‘Brum Buzz’ and for more details you should visit www.birmingham-tours.co.uk or alternatively visit www.alternativetours.co.uk.

Andy

BALTI TOURS

A recent Balti Tour attracted much favourable comment when a party travelled from Kidderminster to sample the delights of the Balti Triangle.

Organiser Monica Guise described the day as ‘ wonderful ‘ and ‘highly recommended for somebody wanting something different or with an interest in food and cultures’.

The Tour included a short intro to Balti, a cookery demo, a tour around the area (jewellers, sari shop, spice shop, sweet centre and hardware store) before returning for a well earnt meal in top baltihouse Shabab and a chance to win a prize in a Balti Quiz!’

Andy