"This beer-themed gastropub in Birmingham city centre is a joint venture with input from Purity Brewing Co. and Simpson’s Restaurant. With two such highly-regarded names on it, Pure Bar and Kitchen arrived on the scene to very high expectations. We went to find out if it delivers. Atmosphere The venue is set up to have a contemporary feel; the interior has the look of a loft or warehouse flat. On the Saturday night when we attended, they had a good amount of young people in for a few beers. There’s a nice separation of the drinkers from the diners, so that it’s not too loud while you’re eating, but you still get a hum of background noise. Food Given the impressive selection of beers and ales on display, it is easy to forget that the primary reason for going to Pure Bar and Kitchen is the food. My dining partner and I both started with the Scotch Egg with Beer Ketchup. Ordering the same starter is fairly poor thinking when reviewing a restaurant, but having seen this dish come out the open kitchen earlier, we were both determined to have it. The outside was deliciously crisp, and the meat was moist and perfectly seasoned. The ketchup added a nice sweetness and was the beginning of the beer theme which runs throughout the food menu without dominating it. I followed with the Veltins Pot Roast Cod, Forest Pig Chorizo, Clams and Grains with Sourdough. The cod was perfectly cooked and served with a delicious buttery sauce, grains, and a homemade sourdough bread. The sourdough was lovely and fresh, and added to my impressions of the meal as informal but tasty. It also assisted me in my aim to waste no sauce! My partner had the Slow Roast Belly of Pork, Colcannon Green Beans. The pork had a deliciously thin crackling and serving it with colcannon (an Irish specialty with cabbage and potatoes boiled and mashed together worked nicely. I would like to comment more but she only allowed me one bite… I’m told it was perfect. Drinks When you attend a restaurant part owned by Purity Brewing Co. you expect the quality of beer to be high and it is. You also get an incredible range of specialist lagers if ale isn’t your thing. If ale is your thing, I recommend the Longhorn IPA. My partner had a glass of red wine which she assured me was delicious. The beer is reasonably priced and nicely served in chalices and special glassware. Pricing 2 Scotch Eggs with Beer Ketchup £4.50 each Veltins Pot Roast Cod, Forest Pig Chorizo, Clams and Grains with Sourdough £14 Slow Roast Belly of Pork, Colcannon Green Beans £14.50 Longhorn IPA £4.60 Glass of house red wine £4 (approx. Total (for two diners £46.10 Overall For me, this is one of the best informal dining venues in Birmingham. If you’re not sure, try it for a drink and watch the food come out – that should change your mind. I have also been in for drinks and enjoyed the atmosphere and the fantastic bar snacks. A small tip for anyone who does make it down to Pure Bar and Kitchen: the men’s loos are on the left, the ladies on the right… you’ll understand when you go."
