Purnell’s

This place utterly deserves a 5 star review. The food, as is to be expected when Michelin stars are involved, is just exquisite. I’d definitely recommend the wine flight too as the pairings are just perfect. The staff are all attentive but actually pretty down to earth too which I liked.
I couldn’t recommend this experience (because that’s what it is really) more. The menu is fun, creative and just delicious.
Go with an empty stomach and a full wallet.

Haven’t even eaten yet, but the penchant of what appears to be a regular shouting very loudly in the bar area every 20 seconds has put me off the whole experience.
He seems to think the Lee Frances impression of Michel Jackson is the height of sophisticated comedy.

The food is consistent in quality and I feel excellently portioned. Over the years I have noticed the atmosphere has improved greatly and feeling comfortably formal. The restaurant well deserves a michelin star for its food and would definitely recommend. I’ve been to other michelin starred restaurants including Marcus Wareing’s which I personally feel is not on par with Purnell’s albeit given their two michelin stars. Although dishes may look small, after eating all courses you feel satisfied.

It’s Purnell’s so it really cannot be less than 4 stars.
If you’re not aware, Purnell’s is one of 3 Michelin starred restaurants in Birmingham.
I’ve been here twice and yes you do have to book several weeks in advance for a weekend booking but you can get a mid week booking at shorter notice.
So yes, based on its star (which it kept again in 2012) something appalling has to happen to be less than 4 stars. However, is it the best restaurant in the city? No, I’d say there are 2 – 3 ahead of it. Is it the best in the country? Well I haven’t been to everyone but I have been to better.
The first time I went here for a birthday treat, we had a private room, the food was excellent, the service 5 star. The second time, a year later, less so.
The problem with Michelins is two-​fold; 1. The restaurants have to try so hard to retain the star each year and I’ve heard of chef’s leaving because the pressure meant they lost their passion and creativity. And 2. The price goes up.
I feel if you live in Birmingham, love good service and of course food, you have to go at least once.

Absolute amazing dining experience!!! no more to say. Wish i could thank? Mr purnell personally.

Hopefully part of a long overdue need to get food in Brum up to standard. I went there on a wet winters evening, 17÷12÷09 and had an excellent meal.
The reception was warm & prompt, and we went to table after a few minutes relaxing with nibbles in the bar area studying the wine list. We asked for a glass each of German Riesling Kabinet, were warned it would be sweet (ish actually) and a good one was brought which started the evening very well.
Quite an expensive wine list in practice, some good & interesting bottles, but as I am only moderately loaded I chose a little known Jumilla wine from Spain, which was ok without being actually as good as I’d hoped.
The restaurant is relatively small, pleasnat in appearnce and quite modern looking. We were taken to the table by the servery, which is ok by me but was rather dimly lit despite there being plenty of lighting not in use. I asked the Matre ‘d if he could improve the lighting, but despite apparently acknowleding the request, no other table was offered and much worse, no light, so we ate in a dim setting, which I feel does not show off the food. A spotlight on the table was needed.
We chose from the A la Carte and were well pleased with our choices, a fine standard for all items was achived and I will revisit.
Staff were clinically excellent in performance apart from the odd period of blinkered vision and a distinct lack of engagement. Perhaps they would be more welcoming if we were regulars. I hope so.

This is the ultimate restaurant treat!
If you have seen Glynn Purnell on the Great British Menu then you will have an idea of the inventive and sometimes retro dishes he has created. Think pigs trotters with black pudding crumble or crab with smoked paprika honeycomb for starters, elegant but quirky mains such as melt in the mouth cornish lamb or surprise twists such as a fish dish with cornflakes! He has to have one of the most amazing desserts ever — Burnt English custard egg surprise. So delicious — my tastebuds will literally never be the same again!
Lunch menu is £20 for 3 courses. A la carte is £40 for 3 courses and then there’s the experience menus from £55. Great choice of wine and excellent service. Go on treat yourself!

Well booked Purnells as a belated birthday treat for me and the wife (had a more traditional British drink binge the previous week).For those who dont know the restaurant is owned and run by Glynn Purnell the Michelin starred tv chef, having opened in summer 2007, he has claimed that his plan is to get not one, but three stars for his restaurant. We booked a table for three, taking along my mother as a treat (my dad died in May 2007, something we are all taking time to get over), this was a treat for everyone. The restaurant itself is quite small, only having 45 covers, but is light and chic, all beautiful cutlery and spotless white linen, it also has a small comfortable bar area and a room for private dining?
When we booked, the set lunch menu, included, cheese and pineapple on sticks and glazed pig cheeks, not really to our tastes however on the set menu there are three choices of starter, mains and deserts. On arrival at the restaurant we found the menu had changed, and were told this is done on a regular basis, which is great, and i must say at £18.95 for three courses for this standard of food, could probably be said to be a bargain. We all chose different starters and all agreed they were delicious, for mains we all had blade of beef-​confit of tomatoes, cracked wheat and feta cheese, and for desert while my mother had a cheese platter, my wife and i had a trio of deserts raspberry delice, raspberry jelly, and raspberry sorbet with a florentine biscuit mmm. The food was fantastic and good value, however bar prices and the wine list are to say the least tasty, with two bottles of rose (scarlebone 2006), a beer and a tip the bill came to £150 for three, yikes!
The restaurant itself was buzzing, mainly with people on business lunches, and although i suppose this is a posh restaurant, the staff were friendly and attentative, and the atmosphere is relaxed and not at all imtimidating. The staff are happy to answer your questions, without the need for you to feel embarrassed. We left having had a relaxed, delicious lunch, and all agreed for a special occassion would definetely return. Highly reccommended (oh and on top of this Mr Purnell is a fanatical Birmingham City supporter, that must be worth one Michelin star in itself !!)