Being a Brummie, curries, like moaning, is in my DNA.
One thing about which I'll moan is that the best curries in the second city are supposedly to be found in Brum's balti triangle. But, for my money, contrary to tired opinion, the best are located along Boldmere Road, Sutton Coldfield. It may not tow the line of untested, trotted-out 'wisdom', but you have to go further than central Brum to beat Sutton's samosa strip.
Among the (unlicensed) restaurants vying for attention, one will inevitably be a favourite, even if the ranking is based on pretty spurious, subjective criteria. Shaban happens to be mine. That's just how it is. Maybe it's as simple as offering a Christmas menu with the dish, and I quote, 'turkey chicken tikka'.
The menu - a genuine page-turner - is extensive, although it retains enough individuality to make it distinct from neighbours, which in turn retain, in fairness, their own distinct identity. Above all, though, it always manages to 'hit the spot' and avoid the 'ho-hum' response sometimes meeting any deviation from tried-and-trusted favourite meals. There's nothing worse than a curry satisfying with all the busted-flush of burnt cheese on toast.
Perhaps what projects Shaban to the top of the pile is the staff. They are always courteous but, if they recognise you as a regular, they really go the extra mile, from walking you out of the venue to hold open the door, or even carrying your takeaway to the car. You may even get the odd short on the house.
For all that, they are extremely busy in a popular venue requiring pre-booking at weekends. If you're drinking bottled beer, you may want to think about bringing your own opener rather than wait for an otherwise attentive waiter. The alternative is waiting two or three minutes as a chilli takes its toll read more