You Choose: Indioz

Venue: Indioz, 107 Alcester Road, Moseley, B13 8DD; website
Choice: Tarka dhal (£6.95 as a main)  Chooser: Ash, owner

Where's your local? Not pub local but Indian local. Because every self-respecting Brummie's got one, and we've recently acquired a newbie. Indioz is where the happy people go to eat curry — light and fresh and full of eighties tuneage and conversation. The team behind the BYO spot spent a couple of years at Moseley institution, Imlees, learning the trade, and becoming pals with the chef, who has joined them at Indioz just a few doors down. For first bits, lamb chops (£6.05) is the obligatory order — chops that have been marinated in spices, fresh herbs and lemon before being juicified on the inside, and crispified on the out, in a tandoor oven. On middles, we went for a meat (£10.95) and a veg thaali (£9.95). The best dish was easily the buttery, creamy, garlicky, textured tarka dhal, which fortunately appears in all thaalis, and owner Ash claimed as both a personal and customer fave. Indioz is putting out very reasonable food, at very reasonable prices, and visibly enjoying doing it. The menu is warm-hug-traditional, while the service and feel of the airy spot bring the offering right up to date. And chances are, we'll be there, which you may or may not deem to be a plus. Menu