I have stayed at Mal Maison a few times and as well as the great accommodation I have always enjoyed the drinks & food at the Chez Mal Brasserie & Bar.
A week ago I went with my sister to try out their Summer Menu. It is a Prix Fix Menu and definitely is value for money.
Ambiance & Service:
The manager welcomed us and sat us at a perfect table by the windows. Tables were laid out in a simple yet elegant manner.
There was a relaxing and welcoming ambiance in the restaurant. The bar was busy however it was sectioned off appropriately so customers could enjoy their dinner.
The lighting was a dull yellow and gave the restaurant a warm feel.
Our server Phil was friendly and recommended cocktails and dishes on what we fancied that evening. It was a personal service which we really enjoyed. He also asked if we had any dietary requirement and allergies before placing our food order. The attention to detail was there!
The other staff I came across were polite, friendly and there to ensure customers had an enjoyable meal.
The Cocktails:
We enjoyed cocktails from the Malchemy Menu (love the name).
Deya went for the Napoleons Code (Bumbu Rum, Jamaica Cave pineapple rum,
spiced pineapple shrub, pomegranate molasses, demerara, orange bitters).She really enjoyed it. It was garnished perfectly and hit that spot.
I had the Rhubarb Triangle (Slingsby Rhubarb Gin, rhubarb liqueur, lemon, honey,
apple, rhubarb bitters, rosemary, Mediterranean tonic) . Give me a fancy gin any day of the week and I will be happy. The bartender did a great job with this one.
The Food:
The food was all seasonal and each dish was beautifully plated. To start with we shared some delicious juicy mixed olives. We then moved onto our three-course meal.
Starters:
Spanish charcuterie slate, Serrano ham, Salchichon, chorizo, BbQ baby chorizo, peach & Manchego cheese. The dried meats were beautifully cured and of high quality. The peach added a nice texture to the dish. The chorizo was my favorite- so juicy and perfectly balanced.
Thai sticky chicken lollipop with soy chili and coriander dip garnished with sliced chili and sesame seeds. There is a reason this dish is their most popular one…it was amazing. The chicken was sticky, succulent and had a brilliant balance of flavours. With the dip, we could have easily had another plate of these.
Mains:
Cumbrian chicken Kiev pea mint and gem salad charred lemon and black aioli. The chicken had a perfect coating that was nice and crispy. The chicken was overcooked and I didn’t get that ooze of fragrant ingredients and butter when I cut a slice which was a bit disappointing. Had it been cooked a few minutes less it would have been must better. The salad it was served with was vibrant and the black aioli was a nice twist.
Catch of the day (Arctic Char) served with seasonal greens and garlic butter sauce. The fish was sweet and cooked to perfection. My sister didn’t end up having it with the sauce because the garlic butter sauce was not melted and didn’t have the correct consistency to pour over the fish. The fish went down a treat despite this and went well with the greens.
We shared a portion of Truffle and Parmesan fries with our meal. For me having these fries has just become the standard side because I cannot get enough truffle at the moment. They were nice and fluffy inside and well coated.
Desserts & Coffee:
Mango & passion fruit pavlova, mango sorbet, Malibu cream & passion fruit coulis. “Delicous, refreshing and so good” was how my sister described this dish. It was freshly prepared and had the correct consistency.
Warm sticky chocolate & hazelnut brownie, caramelised banana & salted
caramel ice cream. This was the best brownie dessert I have ever had. It was a big slab of gooey brownie with bits of hazelnut in it. The caramelised banana was amazing and the ice cream had a great taste. I also got a pot of hot chocolate sauce to pour on top. This was my idea of Dessert Heaven.
Cappuccino & Latte: We ended the delicious meal with two perfectly made coffees. Doesn’t the Mal brand look great on the cappuccino?
We enjoyed the Summer Menu at Chez Mal and you can too for a great price:
Two courses £19.95 Three courses £24.95
Prix Fixe offer available Monday to Thursday daily, Friday & Saturday until 7pm
CHEZ MAL, MALMAISON BIRMINGHAM, THE MAILBOX, 1 WHARFSIDE STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B1 1RD, UNITED KINGDOM
TEL: 01217943004
Neha
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My meal was complimentary however all opinions and photos are my own.
dear bear and beany says
The food looks delicious. I’m pleased you had a nice evening.
Miranda (Anosa) says
The food looks absolutely delicious and now adding Chez Mal to my list of eateries to check out in Birmingham.
Home and Horizon (@LaurettaCWright) says
The food looked sumptuous, and the plating was well done. The food looked really inviting!
bigfamilytravelsblog says
Lovely plates of food. Looks delicious from the photos.
Kara (@ChelseaMamma) says
That food looks so tasty, I would love to visit and try it
thetravelsofmrsb says
The food looks great, especially the desserts!