It’s been over two years since Andy Waters opened Waters Restaurant at Resorts World and a visit to experience his tremendous talent is long overdue.
Not many British chefs have sustained a career at the top for as long as Andy Waters. Over the past thirty years he has run the kitchens of several Michelin-starred restaurants , opened Edmunds in Henley in Arden and within six months received his own Michelin star there, and has since continued to build a highly respected reputation for refined modern British cooking.
The restaurant is easy to find being next to the cinema, but thankfully starkly different. It has a beautiful, cosy interior with a high end, modern design. The place has a lovely charm to it and feels like its part of a New York hotel, with its marigold leather seating and black and white photographs tightly grouped together in chrome frames.
The main dining area is tucked at the back and by 7pm was pretty much full. The staff are attentive and charming and you just knew you were in for a real culinary treat. Friday nights are for fizz and so I enjoyed a glass of the peach and passion fruit bellini whilst we perused the menu. Waters’ classic British and French dishes are created with a contemporary twist, that makes Andy worthy of his many awards.
For starters I had a pretty serving of prawn and caviar salad with a brandy and tomato dressing served with cold potato salad. Intricately put together and adorned with petals, it tasted delectable.
Hubby enjoyed a warm terrine of slowly braised pork and black pudding, which was a meaty wedge. pcked full of interesting flavours. Flecked with parsnip puree it went well with the apple salad.
Venison is a rare treat on Birmingham menus and I didn’t hesitate to pick this when I saw it on Andy’s menu. The Balmoral Estate venison felt like a must when dining like royalty. It came as two chunky steaks cooked pink and beautiful set off with a port wine jus with savoy cabbage puree. Beautifully crafted yet uncomplicated, the dish was certainly fit for a Queen 😉
And continuing with the Scottish theme, hubby had Black treacle marinated fillet of Scottish beef with braised beef & beetroot tartlet, thyme crumble; another heavenly marriage of textures and unique flavours. A top quality meat perfectly cooked and served with a generous flight of vegetables. Matched with a glass of their finest Burgundy it was probably one of the best meals I have ever had.
The dessert choices were varied and all worthy of a try but we only indulged in one – Blood orange posset with chocolate orange ice cream & hazelnut brandy snap served in a cocktail sundae glass. Chocolate orange has become my new favourite thing, and in a cold creamy form it was great refresher to end the meal.
Waters is a must visit for all you foodies. Slick service, attention to detail and a friendly knowledgable front of house staff, fine dining doesn’t get much better than this. We’ll definitely return for their Sunday Lunch, at 2 courses for £20 and 3 course for £25, it’s an absolute steal!
OPENING THIS SPRING
THE IVY
Swanky London restaurant The Ivy is opening in Birmingham this spring inside the former Louis Vuitton boutique on Temple Row. It is one of the most anticipated restaurant openings in Birmingham and at first peek looks spectacular. Let’s hope the menu and service is of a high standard also.
DIRTY MARTINI
A get down and dirty girls night out should always include cocktails so it’s with sheer female excitement that there will be a Dirty Martini on our doorstep. Due to open in the old Viva Brazil near Colmore Row, the bar is set to throw open its doors with sheer abandonment in April.
LITTLE BLACKWOOD
After the closure of the much loved Cheval Blanc in Moseley Village there will be a new independent restaurant replacing it this March. The bijoux little venue will be taken over by Ben Taylor, ex Cen restaurant at Celtic Manor , The Boot In Lapworth and Malmaison in Liverpool. A 37 seater venue with a modern European menu, the emphasis will be on fresh seasonal produce.
BODEGA CANTINA
A fifth Bodega Cantina will be opening on the bustling Birmingham Road in Sutton Coldfield. The South American inspired cocktail bar and restaurant offers street food favourites such as Nachos, Quesadillas and Burritos are still on the menu., plus a new addition – Quinoa Chifa – a Chinese-Peruvian stir-fry containing quinoa, tofu, broccoli, sliced vegetables and spring onion in a teriyaki spiced sauce.
LOST AND FOUND
The fictitious Hettie G. Watson has demanded two months of pampering for Lost & Found. The Victorian Queen of Quirky has given the bar/restaurant on Bennetts Hill a Spring make-over.
