I could never profess to being The Voice of knowledge on all curry restaurants, but I know a good one when I see it.
If you told me that I couldn’t eat another Veggie curry, then I sure would become one of ‘The Angry Mob’ and I would ‘predict a riot’ in Wolverhampton if the Bilash ever closed down. You see the Bilash is popular. In fact very popular in the Midlands.
The Bilash is located in the Cheapside area of the city opposite the Civic Centre where the Civic Hall is based. Tucked quietly away from the traffic and shoppers at the back of Wolverhampton’s beautiful church.
Ruth and I were in the city to see the band The Kaiser Chiefs ‘never miss a beat’ on a cold Friday night a few weeks ago and the Bilash is a restaurant that I knew was very highly regarded and good for Vegetarians.
The Bilash specialises in Bangladeshi cuisine and from its warm friendly welcome and decor-an Anglo Indian mix of bright shades which is both modern and traditional, and very soothingly ambient. It’s a family owned restaurant and has been established for over 30 years. It has numerous awards, it’s in the Michelin Food Guide, AA food guide, and The Good Food Guide, and is the only establishment in Wolverhampton in all the above guides.
The restaurant is on two floors, we were seated on the ground floor.
On looking at the menu it was apparent that the Bilash has extensive Vegetarian options. The food is cooked fresh to order every time and this along with the keen and spot on service is the key to its success. It has high standards and is warm, courteous and treats you like a friend. Something money can’t buy. In fact by the time we left for the gig at 7.30 the restaurant was packed.
The Bilash also has a large window looking into the kitchen with a big table set out for groups nearby.
We decided to not order a starter so enjoyed poppudums whilst we waited for our main course. The Poppodums arrived crisp, with delicious fresh sauces, and a fine fruity raita that was quite delicious.
As we didn’t order a starter Ruth and I decided to sample some of the veggie side dishes with our main courses. Ruth had ordered a meaty main and I ordered the Panneer Bengum Bahar, homemade paneer (cottage cheese) cooked in Royal Almond, curb and yogurt sauce.
For the Veggie Sides we ordered the Aloo Bangan Jhool, Potatoes and aubergine in spicy tomato sauce, the Bhindi Bhajee, spicy stir fry okra, and the Aloo Dum , spicy potato curry, plus a Garlic Naan and Basmati Rice.
spicy potato curry
The Paneer Bengum Bahar was fresh, creamy, delicate, like a golden nugget of pure joy, with wonderful nuances of spicy taste sensations that I devoured. A great dish. Also available as a side.
The sides, a subtle Aloo Bhangan Jhool, which held a delicious tomato flavour, superbly spiced, and a quite lovely okra stir-fry (Bhindi Bhajee) and Aloo Dum spicy potato curry distinct in its spicing, creamy and warming. All excellent Veggie side dishes and perfectly complimenting my Paneer Bengum Bahar and Ruth’s delicious meat curry-she said.
For desert the options are minimal and all home made and presented on a tray which took me by surprise in a good way. From which you choose which you would like made for you.
I chose a Semilina, raisins and cardamon pudding, which slid down and was full of creamy flavour and mouth quenchingly good. I liked it.
Ruth chose the Gulab Jamun executed superbly, warming dough balls, sugary, syrupy with a good dose of cardamon and rose water.
Gulab Jamun
Semilina pudding
The Bilash is a jewel in Wolverhampton and excellent for vegetarians in search of a curry.
Its subtle cooking is a cut above most Asian restaurants in Birmingham and the Midlands, authentic, freshly made, each dish made with care and attention all in a relaxed modern space. The Bilash deserves all its awards and is worthy of its name Bilash, warm, reliable with good hospitality and delicious food, and yes for some, and now me too it feels like ‘Coming Home’.
we paid for our own meal. All opinions expressed are my own and honest as always.
Bilash
No 2 Cheapside, Wolverhampton, WV 1 1TU.
01902 427 762
Twitter: @TheBilash
http://www.facebook.com/The Bilash
We also enjoyed a couple of bottles of Kingfisher lager and a couple glasses of white wine.
veggiefoodie 