Teknaf, Bearwood

Curry houses are a crowded market in the Midlands, but Teknaf in Bearwood is emerging as a real contender,

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Curries are a staple of many Midlanders' weekends – but with so many restaurants around it is difficult to find somewhere that truly stands out from the crowd.

After a few pints on a Friday night, that local balti house can seem so tempting – but how many times are we left disappointed by bland dishes or overcooked meat?

Well rest easy, because this gem of a restaurant in Bearwood seems to be getting everything just right.

The atmosphere is bustling, the food is delicious and the beer is cold. And best of all, the prices won't burn a hole in your wallet.

Teknaf – so named after an area of Bangladesh – has plenty of competition on Bearwood High Street and Hagley Road, but seems to be coming out on top.

Having booked our table for 8pm on a Saturday night, my wife and I were delighted to see the place heaving with diners in good spirits.

There is nothing worse than being able to hear a pin drop as you eat your food, and it can often spoil a meal, so it was good to munch on our poppadoms with a buzz coming from nearby tables.

The mango chutney was possibly the best I have ever tasted – thick, spicy and with huge chunks of mango. Such a difference to the usual thin liquid that most places think passes for chutney.

The range of starters left us struggling to make a decision but in the end I opted for a lamb sheek kebab while my wife had a plate of chicken tikka and salad.

I must admit I wasn't expecting anything special – it was only a kebab after all – but I was proved totally wrong.

The meat was tender and so tasty that I would have happily eaten it for a whole main course.

And the huge pieces of chicken in the tikka dish were great value. By the end we were wondering how we would find room for anything else. But we managed – and decided to go for something a bit different.

The Tikka Tawa stood out for its combination of chicken, minced lamb and paneer cheese – and it turned out to be the most unusual but rewarding curry I have ever tasted.

Just the right amount of spice in the chicken, and the smooth texture of the mince were the perfect complement to the cheese. It was served on the pan it had been cooked in, and looked so good I was reluctant to tuck in.

The promise of the Agni Korai dish being doused in brandy was enough to persuade my wife, and the spectacular method of serving it certainly got the attention of our fellow diners.

A waiter brought the sizzling plate to the table, lit a spoonful of brandy and then poured it on – sending flames leaping into the air.

The alcohol flavouring was subtle and enhanced the spices in the chicken, chunky onions and peppers.

After all that, there was no room for any dessert so instead we hit the bar and had a brandy.

The bill came to just £41 – which is good value considering it included four 660ml bottles of Cobra. So value, taste and atmosphere all get top marks.

Bearwood has taken a hit in recent weeks with roadworks causing chaos on the high street, so it was good to see an independent business doing so well.

Owner Zak Khan said he relied on the restaurant's local reputation and keeping satisfies customers coming back for more.

Offers such as three courses for £8.99 on Sundays and Monday have also proved popular on usually quiet nights.

After our experience at Teknaf, we will certainly be visiting again – and look forward to a similarly warm welcome next time.

ADDRESS

Teknaf, 622 Bearwood Road, Bearwood B66 4BW

Phone: 0121 420 4499