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The Ivy Review: High-End Vibes on a High-Street Budget?

Happy Christmas, guys! πŸŽ„ Time put down the chopsticks occasionally when the festive season rolls around. This week, I swapped the soy sauce for some European flair at The Ivy in Birmingham.

Is The Ivy Actually "Posh" or Just Very Good at Wallpaper?

I’ve been to The Ivy a few times (different branches) now. It’s the "Old Reliable" of the UK dining scene—the kind of place you take your parents when you want them to think you’ve finally made it in life. It’s decent, reasonably priced for what it is, but usually about as "groundbreaking" as a pair of socks for Christmas.
Too fusion for me
I was genuinely shocked by how rammed it was. I booked a Sunday slot easily enough online, but when I walked in, it was 90% full. Clearly, the Christmas spirit (or just the lack of washing up) was in full swing. One thing you can’t knock is the decor. They clearly spend a fortune on it. It’s got that high-end, "I should probably be wearing a better shirt" vibe, even if the price tag is actually quite approachable.
Nice scallop

The Food: The Good, The Bad, and The "Fusion"

Let’s get the tragedy out of the way first: The Crispy Duck Salad. Look, every time I see "East Asian Fusion" in a Western brasserie, my soul leaves my body just a little bit. Usually, it doesn't end well, and unfortunately, this was no exception. It’s a "no" from me.
Surprisingly good onion soup
However, the Scallops were a win—nicely cooked and actually tasted like they’d seen the sea recently. The Onion Soup was also a shocker; it was actually better than the one I had in Strasbourg! I’m still on a quest for the "Ultimate One," but this put up a decent fight.

Decent chicken milanese
For the mains, things were... fine. The Burger patty was a bit on the "desert-dry" side, though the flavour was actually quite good. The Chicken Milanese was tasty, but I’ve seen thicker napkins. I personally prefer a bit more meat on the bones if I'm going for a breaded cutlet.
A slight disappointment, it has to be good in a proper restaurant

Verdict

Overall, it’s a solid shout for a "proper" meal that won't result in a phone call from your bank's fraud department. If you want a bit of glitz and glamour without the Michelin-star price tag, give it a go.

Ratings:
Food: 4/5 – A mixed bag; stick to the classics dishes will be fine
Service: 4/5 – Impressively efficient considering the place was 90% full of festive diners.
Decor: 4.5/5 – It looks good and makes you feel much fancier than you actually are.
Value: 4/5 – Great for a special occasion when you want the "luxury" experience on a realistic budget.
Overall: 4/5

Estimated cost per person: £45 – £65 (including a drink and service).

Restaurant Info
Address: 67-71 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5LS (and various locations across the UK)
Website: the-ivy.co.uk
Labels:
Location: Birmingham, UK

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