CITY CAFÉ
VerdictF 8/10 (Good value lunch menu; excellent service staff)
One weekday lunch time, a friend and I visited City Café where I have always wanted to go. We arrived at 12:15 and were the first customers. Later, about 5 or 6 people came in in total (I am not 100% sure as I could not see the entrance from the place where I was seated).
Inside it is spacious and the dominant colours are white, grey, and beige: comforting for eyes. We were welcomed by smiley staff and led to a table near the window.
We were given two menus: one for pre-fix and the other for a-la-carte. Lunch pre-fix is £ 9.50 for 2-course and £12.50 for 3. That means £2.45 lower than the lunch offer at the nearby Cielo. We opted for the pre-fix menu: there are three alternatives for each of the three courses.
After we had placed order, 4 small round pieces of bread and butter were provided. My dining companion observed that these were reheated by microwave. I wasn't sure at the beginning but the way they cooled down and dried up in the middle means my friend was right. I don't mind warming up the bread by microwave (which makes the bread texture somehow stodgy and gummy, and I like such a texture), but they must have slightly overdone it. Nice bread, though.
The starters of the pre-fix menu are simple fare. I had smoked salmon with caper berries, served with green leaves, and my companion feta cheese with leaves.
On the plate were three good sized fillets of smoked salmon. The temperature was lukewarm as I like it; if it is served cold, it took too much time to melt in the mouth. I was not too keen on the dressing which, I think, contained vanilla seeds. It was slightly too sharp to go with sweet smoked salmon, although it was not a big problem, as I could avoid putting it on salmon. The salad was nice mixture of various tasty green leaves (I know it might sounds silly to some, but I love green leaves!), although I would have appreciate more generous portion.
The main dish: Confit of duck leg, sautéed savoy cabbage and chestnuts (?), and roasted new potatoes (to be honest, this is according to my memory, as I forgot to take a memo then). The foam on top I am sure had a name, but did not taste anything particular, just a fashionable, poncy decoration.
The duck was fatty and soft, just a bit under-seasoned to my palate. I should have ordered side salad to wash off the fat from the duck. The best thing on this plate was the potatoes, which are unfortunately hidden behind the duck. They were soft, buttery and justly seasoned. I know it might sound ironic to praise the side potatoes, but I really loved them.
Although we were feeling almost full, could not miss the pudding: berry and apple crumble, vanilla ice cream and vanilla sauce.
The topping part of crumble was not as buttery as I would have liked, but it had just crunchiness and lightness. The combination of warm crumble and cold ice-cream was very nice, too.
Our waiter asked if we wanted coffee or tea with pudding, so we had a cup coffee and a cup of cappuccino.
The bill was brought to our table at around 2:15 without being asked; probably they either close the restaurant or change staff shift after the lunch service. I don't remember exactly how much the bill was, but we left £ 36 adding about 10% worth of service. For two three course meals and coffees, it is pretty good value for money.
Lastly, I would like to mention that the service staff was excellent: friendly and capable as well. It might be because the restaurant wasn't busy, but there was a personal touch to the service. I would have given 7 points for the food alone, but I added another point, as the quality of service made the food taste better.
I would like to come back try a-la-carte menu as well.
City Café
1, Brunswick Square, Birmingham B1 2HW (Map)
Tel: 0121 633 6300
http://www.cityinn.com/birmingham
