Carters of Moseley is a restaurant that I’m kicking myself for not having visited earlier. Named of chef/proprietor and local lad Brad Carter, the food here is fiercely local and peppered with British ingredients. Coppa is made in house using Tamworth pigs from just up the road in Stratford, Orkney scallops, Exmoor Caviar, English wasabi, Cornish oysters, Hogget and saffron, Highland pheasant and even the gin is from Bristol. They even make their own British version of XO sauce called Brex-O sauce (🤦🏼‍♂️).
“The overall philosophy is to be a true expression of British terroir within the moment.” A fancy way of saying local seasonal grub. And it is good grub, married with warm, relaxed but attentive service from Maitre d’/Proprietor Holly Jackson and team. Genuine Brummy hospitality. I really enjoyed Brad’s cooking, it’s very honest. Hogget is not French trimmed and prettied up but instead the fat is left on the bone and is perfectly rendered to an unctuous melt in the mouth explosion of flavour and perfectly complimented by the lava bread. Ribs are served on the side to gnaw on at one’s leisure. It’s all about the flavour here. It reminded me very much in some ways of Gareth Ward’s restaurant Ynyshir where flavour is king and overly fussy presentations are rightly banished in favour of flavour. The exact opposite of style over substance. In fact I believe Gareth and Brad are good friends so maybe that shouldn’t surprise me at all (please tag Brad if you can Gaz).
I am also a big fan of Carter’s Instagram stories where they regularly post their staff meals being prepared from beginning to end. Another true reflection of Brad’s focus on flavour even in the food his team cooks for themselves and their colleagues. Worth checking out at @cartersofmoseley .
So get up to Birmingham (or down or across) and give Carter’s a try, you’ll leave with a smile on your face I promise.
Insta: @achefabroad (👈🏻me) Less