Hotpot - done!

Yeah that was a mighty fine feast indeed. They recommended this drink to soothe the super hot chili soup - it's herbal tea with some sugar in. By the way their draft beer is Chinese too - it's very light and refreshing - would definitely recommed trying that!

Hot Pot extraordinaire

Wow - had an amazing Hot Pot last night at Jacky's Kitchen Chinese Restaurant near the Chinese quarter. Would really recommend this place that is always busy with Chinese students. Everyone was having massive hotpots so we went for that as well. For 12.90 per head you get a choice of bases - we went for half plain, half spicy which was a great combo. As you can see in the picture you get a massive pile of greenery, mushrooms, lamb slices, load of seafood and tofu to stick in there. This is plenty but you can opt for extras like crab, more meat etc. Base soups were really tasty - spicy one had dried chilis and juniper berries in which gave a very interesting flavour.

Everything that went in there tasted top-notch but you could also dip in a delicious soy/chili/other stuff sauce that cooled the bits down and gave a full on depth of flavour.

This is good stuff - try it soon - it's a great fun party sociable thing to do with your more adventurous friends. The decor is really tasteful and the staff are keen to help you and explain about it. It's just a shame it's a bit hidden away.

Jacky's Kitchen Chinese Restaurant, Unit 4 , Southside, Bromsgrove St, Bham, B5 4TN, 0121 666 7187

Skater bag

Not really endorsing McDonald's here although it certainly has it's place on anyone's food experiences. Here is a mate Ben who lives in Bham doing a skating trick that got printed onto shed loads of McD's bags! I bet he didn't get paid per bag on this one but it's a cool object to own anyway.

Family naan at Imrans on Ladypool road

There are many many places to try around the Balti Triangle and everyone has their favourite. We tend to try to go for the ones that also have Kashmiri people eating in like Imran, Lahore, Al Faizal, Zam Zam and a new Bengali one near the Popular off licence on Ladypool road. Imrans is right by us so we go a lot - it's doesn't ever blow us away but has a good atmos, service and is quality for the price. Locals (Pakistanis) seem to go mainly for the tandoor or charcol-cooked meats - I guess because this is harder for them to replicate at home than a curry. Also I reckon that the baltis/curries have evolved beyond recognition for the UK market that they only appeal to this group - do you agree?

Anyway the Balti triangle is a tourist gem and should be pushed more heavily - it's the birthplace of one of our national dishes!!

Bluebell cider house

Went for a ride in the country to try and find this place - took quite a while but eventually found it quite near Earlswood lakes. It's a lovely pub with some tasty cider available plus it's next to the canal so you can watch the boats go by.

Our Nissan Figaro got dissed by some crazy biker dude but once inside we were treated to some old-fashioned cooking - in this case a massive yorkshire pudding filled with braised beef, peas and chips - along with a tasty cider. Food was reassuring rather than ultra tasty - but still would heartily recommend this place on a sunny day.

Thali - the food of kings

This picture was taken at a little (south?) Indian place near Gare du Nord in Paris - think it was maybe Govinda's? Anyway this to me is the perfect vegetarian meal - a delicious variety of mini dishes avec mountain of rice and papad - and even a pudding thrown in. All for around 8 Euros! I love equally Diwana on Drummond Street near Euston (handy from Bham train) with it's crazy value all-you-can-eat buffet from 12-2. I've heard Leicester is also a top spot for Thali.

But where can you get this in Birmingham? Jyoti is one option but I was just not impressed with their flavour or authenticity... Please someone argue with me on this as I'd love to find somewhere near the centre of town. Recently we found a very lovely Gujurati place near Ikea Wednesbury (better option than meatballs) but were on the wrong night for Thali - that happens on a Tues or Thurs so someone please report back on that. Here is the link - hopefully they will update the website soon: http://www.surtifoods.co.uk

Their food is great anyway so please go there if you can.

Spaghetti Junction

Possibly the most famous Birmingham icon - from which Birmingham looks both ugly and glorious. I made this into a T-shirt design that you can see at my Spreadshirt store

It's got an interesting shape to it that's for sure...

You don't see this much anymore

When I saw this old sign I couldn't believe how much has changed in our mindset about public smoking. Certainly restaurants are a nicer place to eat now

Peach Garden - Chinese Quarter

If you are lucky enough to be near the Arcadian/Chinese Quarter in Birmingham then you will have a lot of fine cheap options to go for. One of our favourites is the highly authentic and delicious Peach Garden. I can only recommend one dish (although all others look great too) as it's the one I've had about 20 times now - Noodle soup with roast meat - either Crispy Pork, Duck or BBQ Pork. You can't go wrong with this - the soup is the most delicious of all the ones we have tried around here and we have been offered refills before - such is the friendliness of the cooks! Soup costs between 4-5 quid depending on what meat option you go for.

It's always a shame if Crispy Pork is sold out as this is one of my favourites. If you want something authentic please forget the Big Wok and come here instead - it's like being in Hong Kong.

This place was also the scene for a friend dropping a whole soy sauce bottle into his soup which resulted in heavy splashing of all his neighbours....oops.