Curry N Grill House, Stone Cross, West Bromwich

Landmark wing-shaped 1930s pub, formerly the Stone Cross (in the suburb of that name). Various seating areas along the angled frontage, including one with a pool table, and the usual semi-separate Desi kitchen and restaurant to the rear. All parts refurbished, albeit in a rather anonymous semi-modern style. No real ale unfortunately, so made do with a Sharp's Atlantic from one of the keg taps.

Curry N Grill House official site - www.curryngrillhouse.co.uk

This is a detached pub and restaurant, originally built to replace an earlier Inn on the same site as part of a 1930s development. It was formerly called the Stone Cross Inn, later Hotel, after the old preaching cross that partly remained until the 1890s, at what was then a junction of two roads. It is now the Curry N Grill House. The pub is L-shaped, with an angled main frontage, and is in brick, with moulded stone doorways. The frontage has recessed Romanesque arches, with a couple of finials. The interior has a couple of rooms, the bar and the restaurant. The service was very friendly, and the chap was keen to show me what they had done. The restaurant is tidy, in coffee walls, with brown seating, with the food served via and open kitchen hatch, so you can see it cooked. I didn't eat, so can't comment, but it looked good! As an imbiber, my main interest is the bar. This is a large open area, part bisected by a brick hearth feature. It is in coffee, white and wood panel - but is to be refitted a little, as i was led to understand. Sadly, the bottle collection on the wood shelves was to be a casualty! There are a couple of TVs with general programmes on and the music was charty, at a decent level. A bit of strange art and Baggies memorabilia are on the walls. The clientele were all diners. Beer, no real ale, all keg stuff, with a decent enough drop of Banks's MILD. A place you can go for a drink, or to eat - and to be honest, i am quite tempted. All it lacks in order to be a good pub/restaurant for my taste is a real ale and maybe a dart board! Good luck, it deserves to do well.

Curry N Grill House official site - www.curryngrillhouse.co.uk