Carters of Moseley Birmingham

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

When you’re faced with so many tempting things and you’re not sure when the next time you’re going to be able to get back, it’s almost a crime not to go for ‘the works’.  That’s the result of taking one look at the menu at Carters of Moseley.  These carefully crafted dishes ended up being a true treat with the unique twist of being quite healthy(!).  Dairy and cream are limited in use and yet you are guaranteed quite a show of dishes even if you opt for the 3 course meal at £35 as the snacks will ensure this is boosted by at least another 3.  This shows how well the restaurant caters for all wallets accordingly and was great to visit.

All the snacks were a pleasure with the cereal flakes on parfait being the most pleasing (toasted nuts and foie gras seem to be quite popular at the moment and for good reason: it is a lovely combination!).  However the socker punches from this meal I think were the mashed potato and bone marrow gravy (outstanding texture and flavour) and the black pudding which was beautifully softened and gentle with the more rare alphonso mango (from India) and shoots for a touch of texture.

All the snacks were a pleasure with the cereal flakes on parfait being the most pleasing (toasted nuts and foie gras seem to be quite popular at the moment and for good reason: it is a lovely combination!).  However the socker punches from this meal I think were the mashed potato and bone marrow gravy (outstanding texture and flavour) and the black pudding which was beautifully softened and gentle with the more rare alphonso mango (from India) and shoots for a touch of texture.

The smoked palenta with the Partridge was a brilliant touch as was the warmed fresh cheese with maple syrup and truffle.  The iced apple that cut through the very well judged salted caramel was another aspect and with the fun Egyptian coffee at the end (no milk or sugar to spoil its authenticity) ended a sophisticated and highly original meal.  The staff here really knew their business as well and was a pleasure speaking to them and meeting the head chef who was more than accommodating and approachable – a privilege to have so much interaction with such talented people.

This was accomplished cooking and a unique meal.  Thoroughly recommended and worth clearing a full evening to do in full for a more special occasion.

https://major-foodie.com/carters-of-moseley-birmingham/
https://instagram.com/richardbagnold Less