Zagora

Zagora occupies a unit in Fletcher’s Walk. This concrete underpass with retail on either side harks back to the ‘old Birmingham’ of my childhood. When the Bullring Shopping Centre was a concrete block before it became the glass, metal and polycarbonate mass of today. Even the urine smell of Fletcher’s Walk brings back memories of the city’s old subways. Now it’s time is numbered too, as developments to knock down John Madin’s Central Library ‘ziggurat’ will also see the demise of Fletcher’s Walk and Paradise Circus.
However, don’t let the deteriorating concrete, the smell, nor the feeling that unfortunately one of the last few walkways in the city to house wholly independent shops feels doomed for imminent closure, put you off.
Zagora feels a little lost here, as one enters one can wonder if there’s really a restaurant worth going to. Is it even still open? It feels like a bad location for a restaurant in modern Birmingham. I would guesstimate that their rates are lower than more sought after locations in the city. Luckily they pass these savings on to their customers.
Zagora’s amazing website (that resembles something I made in school circa ’98), lists their deals: 2 course lunch £4.95, 3 courses Mon-​Fri evenings £9.95 and 3 course Saturday evening £13.95. Although the Saturday deal requires printing their «Happy Saturday» voucher, which states «This voucher is valid for you and people with you on Friday evenings»?
Inside one is treated to a maximalist plush surrounding. It seems like every inch of wall and surface space is covered with fabric, cushions or some form of decoration. It feels like no other restaurant in the city (that I’m aware of). The place doesn’t have a single whiff of interior designer about it. All to often we are presented we ‘authentic’, ‘rustic’, décor; perfectly positioned to influence us into buying into their particular brand identity. Luckily Zagora has none of that bo****ks!
Whenever I have been in the venue has been fairly quiet. Although I am led to believe that they have busy weekend evenings with belly dancers as entertainment for the merry guests.
The soft drinks are obviously poured from a larger bottle outback into an old glass beaker, but we won’t worry to much about that. It is the food that is the main star of the show. It doesn’t feel like restaurant food; it’s more like one is travelling in Morocco and has been invited into a local families’ home for dinner.
We can laugh all we like about their seeming unprofessionalism, but what they are is truly authentic. Yes they may not be trying to engage their clientele in their narrative through use of hashtags, vines, likes, shares and words like ‘craft’, and ‘artisnal’. The use, or in this case non-​use of social media bulls**t, can really have an effect of how we view a business.
Zagora is homely and unpretentious. It really feels like a family business. It’s your Moroccan great aunt that emigrated to Birmingham and their cooking was so good that everyone brought it. It’s who the marketers would have us believe Uncle Benn really is, or the Patak’s family, or even Mr Kipling. We love and crave real home cooking; recipes that been passed down through generations. Marketers are aware of this and try to tap into our psyche, convincing us that there is one guy hand crafting their wares rather than being manufactured in industrial factories, using the most cost-​effective means and ingredients possible.
I just hope that the people behind Zagora manage to find another suitable central location when all of the building and demolishing work commences.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when walking up to the restaurant for lunch with Vicky O, as the exterior is fairly dark but upon entering I was pleasantly surprised. The décor is really nice, full of wall hangings, sofas and low lighting. Sitting inside, you would never have guessed that it was humid, overcast September lunchtime in Birmingham.
Now my knowledge of north African food is limited to cous cous and tangines, and I was little worried about spice levels as I really can’t handle hot food but after a quick look at the menu I was reassured that my mouth wasn’t going to feel like a chilli plant exploded.
I had the hummus to start (I have a slight addiction to the stuff), it was some of the best hummus I’ve ever had, so much better than shop bought versions. It was topped with olive oil and whole chick peas and served with baguette slices. For my main I had the lamb stroganoff with rice. The lamb with so tender it fell apart, the sauce was stunning; creamy and tomato-​y with large pieces of mushroom. The rice was fluffy, well cooked and fragrant.
The service was great and the atmosphere relaxed, a great place for a quiet lunch away from the hustle and bustle of Paradise Forum. The price was good too at £5 for two courses. Overall I was very impressed and already have plans to take the other half soon.

This little Moroccan restaurant can be found underneath Paradise Forum, inside Fletchers Walk. It can be accessed by the stairs by the hotel on Centenary Square, the underpass which links to Queensway or via the entrance next to Subside opposite the Town Hall.
I have to admit, this was a new one for me. I had put out a message on Twitter some time ago for bargain lunch options and Carl D. had recommended it. I must have walked past this place hundreds of times, but hadn’t even registered it was there. Due to it’s lunch deal of two courses for £4.95 — it was worth a look.
I met with Libby on the Square and we wandered down to the venue. I almost thought it was closed as we reached it, as the interior is very dark from the outside. The red ropes which lead to the doorway told me otherwise and we ventured in. Inside, it looks like it could be a plush tent in the desert! With silk wall hangings, throw cushions a plenty and low light; your mind is transported to dusty streets, oil lamps and hot sunshine.
We were presented with menus and asked what we would like to drink I opted for a small lemonade and Libby went for a cola. In between chatting, we discussed our love of houmous and the options that were available. You have a choice of around 10 — 12 starters and around 15 mains (all which are included in the deal). Shortly after this, our waitress came over and swiftly took our orders.
I had opted for the aubergine starter and the fish main. The «Chef’s special» wasn’t available, but the waitress kindly alerted me to the fact that if I would like a fish option; the fish tagine was her favourite. A nice little personal touch and I welcomed the advice.
Our first course was bought out within around 5 minutes. It was delicious and just the right size for a lunchtime starter. The aubergine came with three warm pieces of bread and as Katy has said, was very garlicky and bursting with flavour. My mains came out around 10 minutes later and were just as good! Large pieces of fish in a delicious sauce served with rice… Again, delightful and just the right size for the portion.
I really enjoyed our lunch stop in Zagora. All in all, our full dining experience probably only took around 45 minutes (perfect for an express lunch in the City Centre). Our bill (with food and drinks) came to a bargainous £12.50. I can see this being a staple for meetings in the future!

This is my second visit to the restaurant and both times as part of a group.
I haven’t been on a Friday or Saturday so I enjoyed a more quiet atmosphere of the restaurant. The comfortable seating and warm interior means you’ll never want to leave.
My favourite starter is the aubergine dip served with warm bread, its so well spiced and garlicky. The lamb tangine with prunes us my favorite, would recommend as a winter warmer as the tangines have a nice broth like quality.
The side portions are very generous and very well priced. Would recommend the olives an say they could easily be shared between four people.

I had high expectations of this Moroccan restaurant after hearing good reports, and let me tell you I was not disappointed.
Stepping into the restaurant I was immediately transported to Morocco, with the authentic colourful décor and delightful smells of Moroccan cuisine wafting around the restaurant.
The dishes all sounded very appetising with a variety of starters — spicy chicken wings, seafood salad and pastries filled with prawns and fresh herbs to name a few. Main dishes consisted of lamb, chicken, Tagines, Brochettes, and some specialities. I certainly had difficulty in choosing what to eat, as everything sounded so good!
I settled for the savoury prawn pastries to start, which reminded me of Chinese spring rolls — lovely and crispy and very tasty. I could eat hundreds of them! They were also served with a dip.
Next up I decided to have the Tagine Djaj which arrived steaming hot in a traditional Tagine pot. Chicken, chicken peas, and caramelised onions served in a saffron sauce — soooo tasty. I dived in!
Next up was dessert — hot chocolate fudge cake with a scoop of ice cream, while some of the others ladies had Strawberry cheesecake.
The restaurant was quiet for a Monday evening, yet provided a relaxed evening as a result. Apparently the restaurant gets very busy at the weekends, and belly dancing goes on too!
The service was excellent with the waiter providing our group with recommendations, offering more drinks, and generally engaging in conversation with us.
There was adequate time between courses, a clear indication in my mind that all dishes are cooked from fresh.
A restaurant that I will be returning to!

What can I say! I visited Zagora last Saturday with a large group of people and loved it.
Some cultures treat dining as an experience not to be rushed. The Moroccans seem to be part of this. The meal took three hours but it was good.
I had delicious pastries as my starter filled with chicken (Briouat Poulet) .My main course was lamb served in a creamy sauce with mushrooms (lamb stroganoff).I chose rice instead of fries. The lamb was tender and lean. I topped this with fruit salad.
Then the party! a belly dancer entertained us and we were invited to dance including myself (not the belly dancing!) but I learnt other Moroccan moves.
A great night out for £13.95

Zagora is the only Moroccan place I know of in the city centre. It’s been there for a few years. You used to be able to smoke shishas in there but I’m not sure that you can since the smoking ban.
It’s kind of homely in the restaurant with all the low, cushioned seating. It gets quite lively sometimes when they have a belly dancer in and seems a good place for a party.
The food is good but not amazing. I’d like to go there again soon and give it another try as I don’t like the idea of having to travel all the way to Moseley for a nice, Moroccan meal.