The Birmingham — Restaurant in Gauteng

At risk of the owner justifying all the complaints like the other one star review I just read, I'll share my experience. We saw Forty Thieves on a previous trip to Parkhurst and decided next time this was the spot. We were drawn to the fact that the music wasn't so loud you couldn't hear the people you were with. That was good for us. However, when we visited, the service we received was terrible! It was busy, but not packed. There were still some tables to choose from, maybe 5 or so. We walked by the security(?) guy at the front door and found a hostess inside and she sat us promptly with menus. ...Then she disappeared and everyone ignored us from then on! I even went up to the bar to try and get a drink tab started but nobody would even look at me. The woman who sat us came to the table next to us to settle their bill and I thought she would come to us next but she turned the other way without looking at us and ignored us further. Like the owner said in a previous bad review from someone else about the drink menu maybe I just don't "get it"? But being served with a smile is a good start to someone wanting to spend money at your establishment. But maybe they're going for the cold, distant, BYOB vibe. After 15 minutes of trying to flag someone down unsuccessfully, we got up and left without anything. I wasn't going to mention the dark tables but since the owner tried to blame loadshedding in the other one star review I'll say it again - the tables were so dark! Not because of loadshedding but because there was no candle. That should seem to be a simple enough fix - just have enough candles for the number of tables you have.

Anyway, I'll spend my money elsewhere. Not for lack of...

Remember when eating out was an experience? When the waiter/waitress attending to your table could suss the vibe out and ensured that their interaction was a part of the experience (involved, dynamic and chatty, or perfectly attentive but almost invisible, ensuring a perfectly uninterrupted evening allowing for intimate conversation, or its a company event and so could swing either way - razzmatazz or dignified and proper - and so on - the person looking after you could "read the room", right? (know your customer). Above all, whichever type of attention a table needs, product knowledge and honesty about your products is essential. Serving a table well in a venue that completely supports that is an absolute craft which is almost non-existent these days. Well, what a throwback, and what a pleasure visiting The Birmingham for my first time. Amy was SO great. Yes, we were a bunch happy to interract with her energy and vibe - also a bunch of 35yrs+ and some of us haven't seen each other in literally over a year - so there's a bunch of group interaction catch up too haha. Amy navigated the table like the total pro that she is. Every single staff member I engaged with was genuinely warm and helpful, top notch customer CARE - the experience the guest has is imperative, you can't escape that feeling. What an absolute pleasure to experience this kind of hospitality at such an awesome venue, with staff who endeavour to create a genuinely authentic experience. Because it MATTERS how their guests feel when they are there, and when they leave. Thank you....

Prepare to have your heart stolen by this beautiful pub ❤️

This establishment does not only look great and inviting, but one visit will linger on in your mind.

Their Tapas is a culinary delight! We enjoyed the Mushroom & Mozzarella, Falafel, Squid heads & Calamari, as well as the beef skewers Tapas, and the kitchen knows what they’re doing - These were absolutely delicious and good portioned.

We also sampled their seafood platter and can highly recommend it as well.

The service was outstanding.

The atmosphere is joyful and light, perfect to share with friends or family, to shake off tension of a hard week.

Thank you for giving us a memorable evening - Be sure that we’re going to...