The Alachi International
126-127 Highgate St
Cradley Heath
West Midlands
B64 5RU
Tel : 01384 635554
Had the great pleasure of an adventurous trip through the wilds of Birmingham to Cradley Heath. My internal compass completely shot, we arrived at this large modern restaurant, furnished in black, red and silver tones, initially fairly empty and cold, but it soon got busy.
Unfortunately, these types of modern, open-plan restaurants suffer IMO because when it gets busy it gets very noisy. You find yourself shouting over the drone of people (and kids in this case), to make yourself heard. It was a relief to get outside after the meal to give my ears a rest. (Maybe I’m just getting old).
The food however, was great.
Pickles ‘n’ pops to start, the red sauce was good, sweet with a slight heat (staining my finger red as I sought to use every last scrap on my plate). This was followed by a Prawn on Puree, standard fare here, a little skimpy on the curry portion I felt, but tasted good.
Mains was a chicken pathia (I seem to be favouring pathia’s over madras’ just lately). Here, as in other places, when I order a chicken pathia I’m asked if I want normal chicken or tikka chicken. So far I just go for normal. This dish was delicious, the sauce was chunkier than other pathias I’ve had, being more salsa-like in it’s consistency, but ideal when finishing off with a nan bread. The bowl was finished, and I was content.
Prices seem standard, we paid slightly over £20 per head (including at tip). Cobra on tap.
So, aside from the noise when it’s busy, one to try should you be passing.
