There are heaps of forgettable restaurants in Brum – loads that make your heart sing too, but an equal number, if not more, that lack that special something that stays put in the memory bank. Not so for Chapter. The Edgbaston eatery is slap bang in make your heart sing territory – buzzing, warm, exciting, seasonal, charming and we’re going back for more.

Sitting at the bar for a couple of cheeky cocktails and snacks is one thing but we urge you to go for lunch or dinner. You’ll not regret it. Firstly, a nod to the staff – joint owner Irene has that natural chatty, ‘I just love people’ sort of vibe that makes her hospitality gold while our happy efficient waitress had a blinder of a first day and chef Nathan’s modesty masked his wizardry in the kitchen.

Secondly, it’s a family affair. For instance, mocktails are named after the staff’s children, so drinks like the Roaring Rory and Lottie’s Garden feature. We may have been hormonal/tired, but it’s such a nice touch it made our eyes leak a bit.

Thirdly, the food is damn fine. Memorable dishes like a succulent quail breast with a leg ‘lollipop’ made from melt in the mouth shredded meat served with barley, wild garlic and a rich meaty sauce were honestly blooming lovely. Then John Dory fillets cooked beautifully served with gnocchi, a punchy green wild garlic velouté and generous mounds of salty caviar looked dreamy and tasted top notch. We’d been recommended the rhubarb and ginger mille-feuille by a trusted source and it was even better than expected. The zing of rhubarb, heat of ginger, richness of sweet custard nestled in between a crisp trio of pastry discs was food heaven. There wasn’t even a dedicated pastry chef when we visited so Lord knows the talent going on in that kitchen.

It’s not cheap but like most people we’re picky about where we spend our hard-earned cash and we’d happily spend it here.