Denial Restaurant
120-122 Wharfside Street
The Mailbox, Birmingham
tel: 0121 632 1232

Reportedly the owner opened this venue after a spell living in America, and the influences from his time in the land of the free are evident. Don’t panic though, Denial is very much more Manhattan than McClusky’s, and has a refreshingly independent style. On the bottom deck of the development at the rear of the Mailbox, there’s a patio area at the front of the bar where you can enjoy some canalside drinking in the summer months. Inside the bar styling is modern without being overly minimal, and there’s some interesting contemporary artwork, and the dinig area is seperate from the bar so you can intimate with interuption.

As for the food, I had the Carpaccio of Beef to start. It was very flavoursome and I really enjoyed it. My guest had the Risotto, which she pronounced excellent.

For main I had the Moroccan Rump of Lamb with Couscous. Plump and juicy slices of lamb that were superbly spiced, without too heavy a hand. My guest had the Roast Cod and, again, thoroughly enjoyed it. Side orders of Black Pepper and Sea Salt Chips, and Mashed Potato, weren't done full justice to as my guest's appetite didn't quite match mine and she was struggling a little. She couldn't manage pud but I had the selection of cheeses, which were accompanied by very moreish crackers and some nuts and dried fruit.

All the food lived up to expectations and we enjoyed everything we had.

Despite attracting a fairly fashionable crowd there isn’t a dress code as such, although I would recommend checking you’ve got a decent amount of tread on your trainers, as the glacier-smooth flooring looks far too polished to me. One massive plus for this bar is the fact it serves Kirin on draught.