North-south divide

It's always been a surprise to me that the north of Birmingham has been a bit of a culinary desert compared to the south of the city.

No longer, though. Last night I visited a recently opened restaurant called Mint on Thornhill Road, Little Aston.

It serves what it describes as "straightforward" food based on great British ingredients.

It's underselling itself because though the menu contains apparently simple dishes such as pies and suet puddings, the cooking is sophisticated and skilled.