Despite his youthful looks, restaurant manager Soroush is hugely experienced and loves making a good cocktail. He rustled up some punchy versions to kick off what became a really enjoyable lunch. A selection of bread and quality olives complemented the drinks.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Gamberi piccanti was a highlight of lunch with a buttery sauce packed with garlic and a hint of chilli perfect for mopping up with bread. We could’ve grazed on it all day. A burrata salad had a hefty mound of greenery and avocado, a generous amount of prosciutto and a balsamic glaze. The burrata could have been a bit warmer and therefore gooier, but it was tasty nonetheless.
The pasta dishes were particularly good. Linguine alla Sorrentina was nicely spiced with nduja running through a tomato and white wine sauce along with pieces of mozzarella. Tortellini Alfredo – pasta stuffed with ricotta and spinach served in a creamy sauce with saffron, white wine and roasted vegetables – was superb. We shared a gorgeous tiramisu with a big hit of coffee and wondered if we’d ever sleep again. We did.

The pizza we took home was excellent and after a quick blast in the oven was devoured by a hungry teenager while the desserts were perfect the next day.
If, like us, you haven’t been to Del Villagio for an age, it’s worth revisiting. Italian food, good vibes and brilliant hospitality are a winning combo in our book. Team that with a decent local gin and we’re all in. Soroush introduced us to Dr Eamers Black Country Gin and honestly, I fear if one of us hadn’t been driving, we might still be there propping up the bar. Happy days!

Far from the American diner blandness is new kid on the block, Qavali which has popped up in its place and whose owners have transformed the restaurant into a dramatic, dark Indo-Persian restaurant with bags of charm.

They’ve kept the curved banquette seating and upholstered them in racing green as well as adding lots of striking art and greenery. Even the ladies loo has had the Qavali treatment with ornate basins and gorgeous taps. While the décor’s worth a look, the food and drink are the main draw.

We visited at lunchtime so stayed off the booze, but there are plenty of non-alcoholic options. We slurped a punchy little – and we mean thimble-sized – mocktail called Akbar and Alphonso. The combo of mango and ginger was a thing of beauty. If we’re being picky we’d increase the size slightly.

The menu is varied – yes, you’ll find your butter chicken and tikka faves but also more inventive dishes. First up the usual drill with papadums served with three chutneys – one heady with coriander, one spicy number and a sticky sweet version.

There’s a tempting Qavali Grand Platter for £94 which would be a great way to sample lots of dishes, but we refrained this time. Instead, we ate a starter of falafel which sounds simple, but not all falafels are equal apparently. We’ve eaten some dry, tasteless versions in the past, but these spheres were packed with flavour, herbs and a bit of heat served drizzled with yogurt with some truly great houmous on the side. We didn’t expect to be wowed by falafel but there you go.

Peshwari Chapli kebab, although nice, didn’t get us excited. The lamb tasted lamby and a zingy salad on the side was fresh and lively. Butter chicken on the other hand did get us excited. The sauce was an absolute triumph that we scooped up hungrily with a warm naan and then smothered on a Multani paneer tikka dish which was seriously good in its own right, but with the added sauce, perfection.

In truth, the place feels more suited to dinner than lunch – having said that the service was speedy so you could easily have a very good lunch in under an hour. It just feels like an after dark place in the best of ways – glamorous décor, great lighting and a well-stocked bar.

We’ll be back, there’s a platter with our name on it.