Rose Villa Tavern, Birmingham

Reading Andy Ven's comment below, I agree about the beer. On my second visit in August with a walking group after a ramble, my pint was distinctly cloudy. On commenting on it to the barman, his reply was 'Well its the taste that counts.' I did a second walk with another group a week later and I took them to the Red Lion down the road.

A magnificent Edwardian tiled pub, this has now been refurbed and reopened and is part of the chain that owns the Jekyll and Hyde in Steelhouse Lane and the Victoria by the Alexandra theatre. The tiling has been cleaned up and additional decorations added in a stylised 'woodland' scene. It looks really good and has much more life than it used to have. My first impression when I walked in was 'Wow!' It has an interesting looking menu, which I didn't try. Fridays are described as Frydays, with a delivery of fresh cod and and it is served up in beer batter with chips. One of my work colleagues described this as delicious. The beer are the usual suspects, with four real ales on. These are, Sharp's Doom Bar, Brew Dog Trashy Blonde, Greene King IPA and Wye Valley Dorothy Goodbody. I was unimpressed with the beer choice, but then I am fussy. I tried the Dorothy Goodbody, which was well kept and delicious. Over £3.00 a pint. Usual for this area, but more expensive since the refurb. Noticeably, the Mild tap was gone! The pub is well worth a visit, just for the opulence of the tiled decor. I am assured the food is lovely and the beer I had was good. Could probably do without the GK IPA though. Definitely one for the Jewellery Quarter pub crawl.

Currently closed for a refurb - reopening end of June 2011.

Old town pub, at end of main jewellery street. Spendidly-historic interior, with lots of ceramics, wood and brass, although a little jaded. Still only 1 handpump, which was "waiting to settle". Could be superb with a bit of effort.