where to have a nice girly lunch in central Birmingham?

[carocaro]

Any ideas, not mega ££££ but decent enough!

Sounds lovely! It was very busy when I popped in, I was just passing and it smelt nice so wandered in. Are those sweets on the front counter? I was tempted to get some to take home with me. I will have to take the dc there for a meal I have no friends it sounds like a me u they would enjoy. I think I'm thinking of the right place - by the curry house (uses to be hall green tandoori but I think it's masala lounge now) and I think there is a solicitors next door to it, co-op slightly further down?

That's the one - and yes to the sweets. The barfi is some of the best I've ever had as it's so fresh: the almond one is especially gorgeous. The dds like the gelabi (sp?) which is bright orange syrupy swirls of instant tooth decay! They also do one which is a bit like Scotch tablet covered in nuts, which is v nice. The dds really like their samosas to take away too. They are brilliant with children too.

I love samosas, if they do pakora as well I will be in heaven! I'm definitely going to venture in after my next midwife appointment (the only time I'm near there) it'll give me something to look forward to after being sat around waiting for ages. The dc love instant tooth decay foods so might even bribe treat them

Remus I think I have now met the only person DH would leave me for. Your knowledge of indian food is cosmic.

Without wanting to start a food fight, I am not sure why people give Jyoti's such massive kudos. The food is pretty mediocre. Admittedly, I don't think there are many other South Indian restaurants in Birmingham, so it doesn't have much competition, but it isn't a patch on the Woodlands restaurants in London, or the Saravana Bhavan chain.

Noooo The Woodlands not great ime. I would agree that Jyoti's main courses are a bit underwhelming, which is why I'd say go mainly for the dhosas - but the starters are excellent.

Billy - I am just v greedy. :) When I go to Jyoti's, I stuff myself so much that I need a nap as soon as I get home!

I think you're identified the problem - instead of concentrating on South Indian food, they also make rather dreary standard Indian restaurant food like paneer tikka masala. Would you agree, though, that South Indian food in the UK never quite reaches the fabulous deliciousness of the same food on its home turf?

Sadly, I have never had it on its home turf.

I did have some fabbo dhokra once (is that what it's called? The mustard seedy bread stuff?) but have never, ever seen it again on a menu. If anybody knows anywhere in Brum that does that, let me know!

Dhokla. It's Gujarati. Don't they do it at Jyoti?

Nope :(

Have you been to chenai dhosa on Hagley Road?
DH always raves how good it is, but he's never been to joytis, so couldnt compare.

...and I think South Indian food is too hot for most UKers- we have friends from Kerala, and some of their stuff is seriously uneatable for me

Not been there, no. Is that the huge one?

Chennai Dosa is pretty good. I think the dosas are actually better than Jyotis and it's very like a South Indian restaurant in S India - but it still does this thing of making dreary standard Indian restaurant food instead of concentrating on the S Indian.