The best places to visit when in Birmingham!

If you’re planning on taking a trip soon, why not head over to the fantastic city of Birmingham! In the heart of England, it’s easily accessible and is full of attractions and things to do – you’ll never get bored! Here, we’ve given you a taste of what you can find…

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a gorgeous, 15 acres of stunning landscapes, hosting a range of exotic plant life within four glasshouses.

And if you begin to feel hungry at the end of the day, Itihaas is only a 10-minute drive away to satisfy your taste buds with authentic Indian cuisine.

Sea Life Centre

Considering Birmingham is as Midlands as the Midlands could get, this hasn’t affected the National Sea Life Centre with their one million litre ocean tank! It’s home to over a thousand creatures, consisting of sea horses, star fish, and a giant turtle…and let’s not forget the penguins! You will also have the opportunity to learn and take part in the 4D cinema experience – perfect for families!

You’ll be ideally placed to enjoy a light lunch from Itihaas. From street food to the lunch bucket – come and indulge in our culinary experience.

The Bullring / Mailbox

In need of some retail therapy? With 3 shopping centres and 5 department stores, Birmingham city centre is the place of shopoholic dreams! With high street to high end, The Bullring, The Mailbox and the brand new Grand Central, you can shop until you drop.

And if you find yourself needing to drop your shopping bags, get some appetizing food and rest your feet, head over to Itihaas where we are happy to provide you with a dining experience like no other.

Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Do you have a love for the theatre and performing? The Repertory Theatre is perfect if you’re looking for something to do while visiting the city. The variety of performances on show leaves you spoilt for choice, after being redeveloped in 2013, this theatre is a hint of luxury you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

If you are really early, or want to make a night of the theatre and glamour, pop on the tram or take a short 8-minute walk from the Repertory theatre and visit us here at Itihaas, where we can serve you up a night of exquisite Indian Cuisine.

Itihaas

Finally, the last place we recommend visiting is us! Our Indian restaurant is located within central Birmingham, so there is no excuse to not come along and see what the fuss is about! You won’t be disappointed.

The perfect food for the perfect day!

The outcome of the best Asian weddings always is down to the food, making it a day to remember. The most important ingredient to your special day will ironically be down to your choice of catering. The thought of unhappy and hungry guests really is a recipe for disaster, so what you need is exquisite Indian cuisine to leave your guests wanting more…for all the right reasons!

 

 

If you want that fairytale Asian wedding, then you’ll need the perfect, authentic Indian cuisine to fulfill the happiness of your guests, giving them a day to remember. Here are our favourite dishes from our wedding menus – indulge into what we have to offer..

 

 

Starters:

From succulent Tandoori Lamb Chops to tantalising Chilli Paneer to leave your taste buds wanting more. Not forgetting the flavoursome Vegetarian Cocktail Samosas to cater for all dietary needs.

Mains:

From the divine dish of Makhni Dal to the Shahi Palak Paneer – both alluring you in for more, Itihaas play host to a wide variety of intense flavours.

Dessert:

To top it all off, the sweet sensation of Kulfi and Gajar Halwa, while your tastebuds turn for more with the delicious Moongi Halwa.

     

 

 

 

 

 

Here at Itihaas, we go that one step further to create an easy-going enjoyable wedding. We can provide you with planning and decor, from mandaps and nikkah stages, to designer evening wedding reception decor, we will do our best to make your special day perfect in every way.

 

If you’re looking for a day to remember then let Itihaas know on 0121 212 3383. See all the wonderful venues we partner with, including Birmingham Botanical Gardens and West Midland Safari park at weddings.itihaas.co.uk

 

Celebrating with Itihaas

This year seems to be flying by, with Eid-al-Adha quickly approaching on 2nd September, here at Itihaas we can help you celebrate in style, surrounded by our historical and enchanting decor.

Indulge in the wide range of lamb dishes we have on offer for you, whether that be for Eid-al-Adha, birthdays, wedding catering or just a simple gathering of friends and family. From the tender Laal Mirchi Rogan Josh, to the delicious Nalli Gosht, we have all fresh ingredients ready to please your taste buds. For that extra something special, we have the Afghani Raan, a 24 hour marinated whole leg of spring lamb for you and 6 other members of your family to enjoy all together.

 So why not join us for your family celebration here at Itihaas, where you will be provided with the most exquisite tasting Indian Cuisine to make your celebrations everything you want and more. Itihaas also welcomes everyone to celebrate the festivity of Eid-al-Adha to spread positivity and love, and of course, great food!

The rise of street food

Here at Itihaas, we’re always embracing new food trends and bringing in more of what our customers want – and the rise of street food is no different.

So why is street food becoming so popular?

Street food began in Asia, and has since taken over the globe with its intense flavours and a bigger bite for your buck! What’s so great about street food is that you can try new flavours and unusual food pairings that you might not normally see on a menu.  They’re also particularly popular in the Summer months, with burgers being a top street food favourite.

At Itihaas, we’ve incorporated the UK’s love for street food with our exciting lunchtime menu. With an Indian twist, we’ve put together a menu that features delicious street food favourites. Bombay Burgers and our very own Street Food Thali selection make up – the perfect Summer lunchtime treat.  

Stop by our Indian Restaurant and try some of our Indian street food favourites – you won’t regret it!

 

The Rehearsal Dinner

With wedding season well underway, we’re using our wedding expertise to give you some tips on that all important rehearsal dinner.

So, what exactly is a rehearsal dinner? Traditionally in the Western world, the couple and those in their wedding party will meet for a rehearsal the night before the big day. This will involve going through the run-through of the ceremony. Though not everyone follows this tradition, most couples, along with their nearest and dearest, will have a rehearsal dinner the night before their marriage.

Why have a rehearsal dinner? It’s a nice way of putting all the wedding planning behind you and relaxing with your loved ones before the big day. Most couples are also too busy rushing around speaking with everybody and taking photos on their wedding day so don’t get much time to sit and eat – this will ensure you’ve had a good meal, ready to take on the day!

Where? Whether you’ve chosen Itihaas as your Indian wedding caterer, or you just fancy an exquisite Indian feast to celebrate with your loved ones – Itihaas is the choice for you.

Make sure you book in advance!

The art of food presentation

Here at Itihaas, we strive on creating a dining experience like no other, which is why the art of food presentation is so important to us. Our visual senses are what initially draws us in, which is why patterns, colours and symmetry all play a huge part in attracting us to certain dishes – we know you not only want your food to taste good but look good too. It’s also important that your surroundings match the cuisine – let the décor takes you on a journey, along with the flavours of each dish.

Dining at Itihaas, you will experience intricately prepared dishes, every flavour and spice carefully chosen to bring joy and comfort to your palate. The colours on your plate each represent a taste of India, and our historic artefacts and luxurious décor will transport you there. All of these aspects add to the event of dining out, bringing together great food in a great setting.

Carefully prepared dishes deserve to be presented beautifully, even with your own home cooking. If you’re planning on cooking a loved one a meal, or are hosting a dinner party for friends, we’ve got a few tips on how to show off your food:

  • Use white plates– they help to make your food the focal point so it doesn’t get lost in patterns/bright colours.
  • Placement is key – place your food on the plate in lines or in geometric shapes
  • Have a focal point – usually this is meat or fish, but whatever the focal point, make sure it doesn’t get lost on the plate, but also don’t hide the other elements
  • Colours should complement each other – colours should match the flavours of the dish, but they also help us to identify the overall mood (spiciness, tartness etc.)
  • Always garnish– this increases flavour and adds an extra dimension to the dish

 

Alternatively, come join us at Itihaas Indian Restaurant to see how we value the art of food presentation.

What’s your bread type?

When attending an Indian restaurant, you’ll most likely see a range of breads offered to accompany your dishes. Each one is unique and brings different flavours and textures to your meal.

Chapatti  – An unleavened flatbread made of whole wheat flour (known as Atta) plus salt and water. Common in South Asia, chapattis can be pretty much served with anything. They’re light and easy to roll which makes them great for dipping and filling with vegetables.

 

Dosa – A dosa is very similar to a crepe or pancake. It’s typically made from rice batter and black lentils, and is a very common part of a South Indian diet. They’re traditionally served hot and can be stuffed with a variety of fillings and served with chutneys.

 

Naan – A very popular accompaniment in many Indian restaurants, as a hot naan goes wonderfully alongside curry dishes. Typically made from white flour, salt, yeast and yoghurt, they also often come in a mix of flavours as items such as garlic or raisins are added to the batter mixture.

 

Poppadom –  Thin, crisp disc that is traditionally served as an accompaniment to most dishes, but mostly as a snack or appetiser. Made using flour from a variety of sources, such as lentils, chickpeas and rice. They’re great for adding texture to your meal.

 

Paratha – A layered or stuffed flatbread that is often confused with a chapatti – though these are much thinner. It’s served as a treat as can be quite heavy and filling due to the dough being coated with ghee or oil and folded repeatedly. They’re delicious stuffed with potatoes and other vegetables but are also tasty with just butter spread on top.

Why not come sample the variety of authentic Indian dishes we serve at Itihaas? Click view here for our menus. 

10 facts about India

India is a huge, enigmatic part of our world, and there are a lot of interesting things to come out of the diverse South Asian country, which is why we’ve put together a list of 10 facts about India that you probably didn’t know.

1.Over 100 million years ago in the age of the dinosaurs, India was an island. It was only until 50 million years or so later that it would collide with Asia and the two continents’ coastal areas formed the Himalayas.

2.India doesn’t have a national language, but it is said that the number of languages spoken in the country is over 1000.

3.India has the world’s largest film industry with over 1000 films produced each year.

4.India has the largest population of cattle in the world, and therefore produces the most milk.

5.Gold is one of India’s biggest obsessions and the country is the largest buyer of gold in the world.

6.India prides itself on having the largest democracy in the world.

7.“Chaturanga” means ‘four members of an army’ and was India’s gift to the world. The game “Chaturanga” is now commonly known as chess.

8.The country is home to the largest number of English speakers in the world.

9.Yoga originated in India 5000 years ago.

10.India has the largest number of vegetarians in the world.

Now you’ve learnt some more about India, why not try some authentic Indian cuisine at our Birmingham restaurant? Book now!

The history of curry & Brum’s love affair

Birmingham has become known as the curry capital of the UK with a wide selection of curry houses spread across the city. People from all over the UK come to Birmingham just to sample the authentic Indian cuisine that can be experienced here, but where did this love affair between Brum and curry from?

Balti houses began popping up in the Midlands city in the 1970s, and due to their popularity amongst locals, they’ve been growing ever since. The Balti dish was created by the local Pakistani/Kashmiri community that decided to bring a taste of their home cooking to the streets of Birmingham, by blending various herbs and spices to create the perfect dish that could also be enjoyed by the Western locals. The famous Birmingham Balti Triangle was formed by bringing together the Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath and Moseley areas of the city to form a triangle of Asian cuisine, and is a well-visited spot for food lovers. However, the heart of the city also features an array of award-winning restaurants that aim to create an extraordinary dining experience.

Birmingham’s curry restaurants are increasingly in demand, as Birmingham’s reputation for being the best of the best when it comes to authentic Indian cuisine continues to grow; it’s impossible not to visit the city without sampling some delicious food.

If you want the full Birmingham curry experience, visit Itihaas restaurant for a completely authentic taste of fine Indian cuisine. Tantalise your taste buds with our lunch menu or go for the full fine-dining experience of an evening meal. You’ll be surrounded by enchanting historical décor with a modern twist, to really set the mood as you dine. Book now for your Itihaas experience!

Indian spices & their many uses

Indian spices aren’t just great for adding flavour to your recipes, many of them also have other medicinal properties. We’ve outlined some of our favourite spices that have multiple uses, so you can start improving your health, and your meals, every day.

Turmeric

Bright and beautiful Turmeric is an antioxidant that has been said to help fight and manage Cancer. It also cleanses the liver, so it’s perfect for when you’re suffering with a hangover and want every ounce of alcohol out your system. It’s also known to be used in the prevention of Alzheimer disease.

Cumin seeds

Cumin is commonly used in Indian cuisine, and it can pretty much be used in any dish! It also boosts the immune system, relieves pain and stomach issues, and is a good iron supplement.

Ginger

Powerful and spicy ginger can boost the immune system, cleansing your body to help relieve colds and joint pains.

Cinnamon

Not only does cinnamon taste great sprinkled over our coffee or desserts, it has also been known to regulate blood sugar, meaning you’ll be full of energy all day.

Cloves

Cloves are used considerably across India, and not just in the food. They are considered to be natural painkillers, so are perfect steamed in boiling water to relieve a sore throat.

 

Here at Indian restaurant Itihaas, we use an extensive range of authentic Indian spices, which means you’ll not only get a delicious meal, but you’ll leave feeling happier and healthier.

18 Fleet Street Birmingham, B3 1JL – TELEPHONE: 0121 212 3383 – OPEN: Sun – Fri 1:00 pm – 10:30 pm – Sat 4:00 pm- 10:30 pm

Copyright 2021 © MARISO HOLDINGS LTD TRADING AS ITIHAAS REGISTERED IN ENGLAND AND WALES NO. 12628908

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