Court Oak, Birmingham

Large Sizzling pubco outlet, although the bulk of the customers didn't appear to be eating when I called in. Various seating / dining areas on each side of the central servery, all with anonymous semi-modern furniture and decor. Disappointingly, just Doom Bar and Hobgoblin (£2.75) available from the five handpumps too.

A detached Sizzling chain pub/eatery, with patio area. The pub was built over a small building back in the 1920/30s as a part of the housing expansion in the area - it then stood next to an Industrial School. It is symmetrical in design, with a projecting tower entrance, that has a relief of an oak tree on it. There are also two rounded entrances, with fanlights. It has an interesting moulded cornice, which looks like a cruck frame of a building. The interior is L-shaped and open-plan, with a lounge area and a foody area. The decor seemed to be light grey, with patterned wallpapers and patterned carpet. A kid's grabbing machine was in the foody area. There wasn't too much of the strange sculpture and a few old photos were on the walls in the lounge area. Several hearth type fires warmed the place. The music was general and at a decent level, and the TVs were in the lounge area, showing general stuff. The service was very firendly and a few were in eating, and some in the lounge area. Beer; usual tap stuff with M&B MILD. On handpull there were Pedigree, GK IPA and a decent enough Everard's Wonderland. One of the best Sizzling experiences i have had - it was tidy and gave a personal feel.