Cocktails, great food and wonderful service awaits all at the LaTour restaurant and hotel, in Birmingham’s up and coming Eastside district.
The venue, which opened two years ago, has launched a brand new Grill LaTour menu specifically designed to offer a relaxed dining experience which appeals to everyone.
Staff have been working hard to create the new and improved hot spot at the heart of the city centre to start people’s evenings off with a bang.
Standard reporter, Beth Sharp, went along to investigate all LaTour has to offer.
The hotel which is just a two-minute walk from Moor Street railway station is ideally located in an area which is currently undergoing a major regeneration project.
Upon entering you are greeted by warm and welcoming staff, who are happy to help – they felt well-trained and knew the food and drinks menus down to a tee.
In the past the brasserie-style Aalto restaurant at LaTour has been known for the fine dining experience it offers but it has now launched a new concept which creates a relaxed environment able to accommodate all kinds of events.
Whether you are out with friends wanting to grab a bite or a few drinks before a night out, a quick pint on your way home from work or a lovely meal for a special occasion – Hotel LaTour can accommodate your needs.
From light lunches and large-scale dinners in the private dining room to special celebrations at the Chef’s Table, the hotel does it all.
The dress code is relaxed so you can wear anything from jeans and a T-shirt to a suit.
The food is fantastic value for money and presented in an interesting, creative way so when the waiter walks by it is eye-catching and you cannot help but be drawn to it and want it for yourself.
All the food is sourced from the best suppliers in the area, where possible, and each dish is put together with care, cooked with passion and beautifully presented.
The hotel has also invested in a herb garden on its roof which grows different types of fresh mint to use in all its cooking.
Staff pay particular attention to all the little details which made the experience memorable.
I sat at the chef’s table which looked into the kitchen and allowed me to see the expert chefs in action and experience the elegant ambiance of the restaurant and the buzz coming from the cooking area.
The menu had a wide selection to choose from and lots of classic British dishes, all served with a modern twist.
As a starter the Serrano ham – ham hock terrine and summer veg salad, was a great choice – it was a good sized portion, not too filling but very tasty. The vegetables were cooked to perfection – not mushy or too crunchy, just right.
The 200g fillet steak, as the main, was beautifully cooked, mouth wateringly-tender and was complemented by a fresh tomato, portobello mushroom and crispy shallots with a choice of sauces. You could also order a variety of sides to accompany the dish including chips, salad and seasoned vegetables.
There were a number of puddings to chose from and the black forest sundae was definitely a good choice – flavoursome, refreshing and naughty but utterly delicious – a lovely end to a perfect meal leaving you with a food baby you will never forget.
During our time at LaTour we were given a tour and a talk about its future plans – some of which included the introduction of live music performances and a cigar balcony that will overlook the scenic city and will be equipped with a fire pit for barbecues.
A popular event already at the hotel is the Friday Fizz where for two hours, between 5pm and 7pm, everyone can buy a bottles of champaign for half price.
LaTour’s new menu and concept has transformed the venue into the new place to be on the Eastside and is certainly a cracking place to start, spend or finish the evening with – we highly recommend it for all types of events.
Ham hock starter. Picture by Beth Sharp.
Beautifully laid table. Picture by Beth Sharp.
The chef’s table. Picture by Beth Sharp.
Fillet steak and chips. Picture by Beth Sharp.
Delicious black forest sundae. Picture by Beth Sharp.
Perfect way to end the meal; with an Irish coffee. Picture by Beth Sharp.