Meet the Insider

Welcome to the Express & Star's new eating out column.

From this week, you have the chance to tell The Insider about those special places around our region where you love to go for a meal.

Each week The Insider will sample the food and soak up the atmosphere of the places where you visit.

It is not just about food, but the whole dining experience: the standard of service, the atmosphere, the history of the place. The Insider will look out for those small details which make each place unique, and bring you thought-provoking reviews without fear or favour.

And it is important for you to be part of it. We want you to tell us about your dining experiences: Where's hot and where's not? Is there a particularly good place you think The Insider should visit? Have you had a bad experience at a restaurant which has left a sour taste in the mouth? Every week the Express & Star will carry your comments about the meals you have had. We want to know about your favourite pub, which is always packed, and where you should go for a top-notch carvery.

Does The Old Swan at Netherton - better known as Ma Pardoes - still meet up with the standards that saw it listed in the UK's top 16 pubs in 2004? Does the Bell & Cross at Clent warrant it's place in the Michelin Red Guide? Does the Clifford Arms in Great Haywood, near Stafford, deserve all the awards it has won? Or how about the new kids on the block? Perhaps some of the pubs and restaurants that have opened in the last couple of years deserve to be mentioned alongside the old favourites.

Already, your recommendations have been coming in thick and fast. Sandy thinks the Copper Bowl in Lanesfield it the best place to eat.

"It has a beautiful buffet and so many varieties of dishes to choose from. Furthermore the waiters are helpful," while Andrew suggests The Fox at Shipley. "The food is fantastic," he says. Breeze thinks the Badger Inn at Eccleshall belies its modest exterior by offering wonderful food, good service and competitive prices. For those with more exotic tastes, Sniffer says the best place to eat out is the Polonia Restaurant in Great Bridge. "They are most helpful and the food is gorgeous. Be prepared as dishes are Polish in the main but the prices are very modest to say the least."

Tom says while prices are high at Bilash in Wolverhampton, it is well worth it for what he describes as the "Best curries around, without a doubt." Graham said during a visit to the region he ate at the Hare & Hounds at Shenstone, near Kidderminster, four times during one week. "The food was fantastic, perfectly cooked vegetables, wonderful mouth-watering pastry on meat pies. Good steaks, beautiful lamb, all very pleasantly served, proper portions of food, wood fire in the fireplace. I cannot praise this pub enough, its quality and selection far outweighs some of the so-called starred restaurants."

Wendy Mills reckons the Mill Farm opposite Cannock railway station is well worth a try, offering superb value carveries, while Pete Davies recommends Tony's at the former Little Chef in Quatford, near Bridgnorth. Solvi is a big fan of The Rag at Rawnsley, between Rugeley and Burntwood, but also enjoys spending time at The Rising Sun - better known as The Trough - in Walsall, which he says combines great food with good rock music.

Starting next week, The Insider will be touring the four corners of the Express & Star's circulation area, from Stafford in the north, to Stourport in the south; from Wolverhampton to Wednesbury, from Dudley to Darlaston, taking in Walsall and West Bromwich, Cannock, Lichfield and Kidderminster along the way.

He will experience all types of eating on offer, be it the traditional Black Country inn with the roaring fire, the mass-market chain pub that gives just that little bit extra, right the way through to the trendiest hotels and restaurants that the region has to offer.

It could be the friendly village tea shop that is really worth a visit, or that new town centre cafe which people should really know about. But there is one thing that all the venues featured in the column will have in common - they are all important to the people that really matter, you, the Express & Star's readers.

So next time you're out and about experiencing the West Midlands' famous hospitality, let us know how you find it.

And remember, The Insider could be on the table next to you.

The Insider will go along and check out your recommendations and report back every week with everything you need to know, from the friendliness of the staff to the quality of the food, along with any other observations he picks up on.

We all love a memorable meal but when combined with ambience, spot-on service, reasonable prices and nice surroundings, it's worth recommending.

Each week, starting on this page on April 5, The Insider will be reporting back from his visits around the area. But to do this, he needs to hear from you.

There are so many ways you can get in touch.

Write to: The Insider, 51-53 Queen Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1ES

E-mail: theinsider@expres sandstar.co.uk

So it's over to you, readers - give us your top eating out tip-offs and let The Insider do the rest.