Results tagged “Purnell's” from Birmingham Mail - Restaurant Spy

Heartiest congratulations to Purnells and Turners for their new Michelin stars and to Simpsons for retaining theirs.

I fully expected Purnells and Simpsons to be recognised, but Turners took me by surprise, I must admit.

Not because I have anything but the greatest admiration for Richard Turner's classy food, but because I thought Michelin might shrink from awarding a star to a small, suburban restaurant.

Shows how much I know.

I've just been writing a review of Birmingham's culinary year for the Food + Drink section of the Birmingham Mail and it struck me how many good restaurants this city now has.

I wondered whether to list my top five, but, in truth, I'd find it difficult to do so because I've eaten some fabulous meals over the past 12 months.

Of course, Simpson's, Purnell's and Edmunds would all feature highly. But I'd find it impossible to rank any higher than the other because each is different from the others and all offer a memorable experience.

I don't expect any sympathy cards, but one of the hard bits about being a restaurant critic is that I eat out so often that I don't often get the chance to revisit my favourite places.

That wasn't the case last night, though, when my wife and I went to Purnell's in Cornwall Street in the city centre for a meal that was purely for pleasure rather than to write a review.

We ate the tasting menu and, from start to finish, it was magnificent. Glynn Purnell's unerring ability to match flavours and textures is impressive. Likewise the technique deployed in his kitchen.

Congratulations to Andreas Antona, Luke Tipping and their team at Simpson's for retaining their Michelin star in the latest guide.

It's richly deserved. I ate lunch there a few weeks back and, as always in my experience, the food was fabulous.

Must say, though, I'm surprised Glynn Purnell's city centre restaurant - imaginative called Purnell's - didn't get a star. His food is inventive and delicious.

I'm sure M. Michelin will make amends in a year's time. But the blubbery French icon be warned: I'll be after him with a very sharp pin if he doesn't right this wrong.