"it is always fascinating to try a restaurant whose name does not give them any indication of what will be in the offer. the blue klavier, in edgbaston, is a Southeast Asian restaurant on the lively harborne road. the owners are made of singapur and wanted to bring the diverse oriental cuisine of this island – with Thai, Cambodian and Malaysian influences – to birmingham. When I got the invitation to eat in the restaurant, I quickly had a look at her website to see what would be in the offer. After I had never eaten this kind of kitchen, I wanted to be prepared. atmosphere in an old Victorian house are several rooms that make up this colonial inspired restaurant. there is a bar in which they can either relax before din, or only for drinks. opposite is a more relaxed lounge with leather sofas and a large fire. they lead them through the restaurant that has wicker chairs and chandeliers. we visited the middle of the week and there were only a few other diners, so it was difficult to feel full as the atmosphere would be when busy. but I suspect it would be something near the luxurious hectic of a hotel in singapur like raffles. I loved the relaxed music that was played, which certainly added to the colonial atmosphere they are trying to re-emulate. I was really happy to eat, although I was still not sure what to expect. for beginners I was immediately pulled to the singapur carrot cake, so together with this we also chose the Clementi-Sharing plate. the carrot cake, which is one of the signature dishes, consists of hearty rice cakes that combine carrots, mooli and spicy. I have to say I really enjoyed it. the texture of the hearty rice cake and carrots was more like gum-like fish and my companion commented that they looked like potato wedges. all the aromes were united well together. I could have had a bigger part than main course. the Clementi-Sharing-plate overall got the thumbs up, consisting of two chicken-satay-skewers, two freky garnels, and a five spicy roll (pork wrapped in Tofu-Haut) we enjoyed both the garnel and the roll, but my companion found the chicken-skeer a little dry. for the main course I decided for brat ente, rambutan and jackfruit red curry with stir-fried noodles. I tend rather sweeter dishes than spicy, so this was a perfect choice for me. I thought the grouping of the aromen worked well, especially the exotic fruits, and I feel the accompaniment of dip instead of rice, which was added to the intensity of the taste. my companion chose prawn tamarind curry with nasi lemak reis. it was served on a large sheet and it was a lot on the plate. he noticed on the interesting contrast of textures: soft rice cooked in cocose milk and aromatic herbs, besides crispy roasted eddies. the tamarind-flavoured garnel and anchovy. we thought that this was all needed, and the cracky crackers, hard boiled ice and gurken slices were unnecessary extras. but that could be my English palate. we were convinced to dessert. for me it had to be fresh from the orange drop cake with orange curd. this was a really light tasteful cake and the orange curd was a really nice supplement. my companion had the Japanese moochi ice cream, which chose two aromes of green tee and sesame. we both looked at these inquisitiw when they came out; they did not look like “normal” ice and they also tasted like that! the texture could only be described as slightly rubber-like. they are made of reusal that gives them this unique galenical feeling. we had mixed feelings on it; if they expect a refreshing milcheis, then it is not dessert for them. Drinks there is a good choice of weeping, dressed beering, spirituoses and cocktails. my companion enjoyed a few jars of the house white wine, which he found fruity and exotic, in match with the menu. price singapur carrot cake £4.95 clementi sharing platter £10.95 prawn tamarindry with nasi lemak £16.95 roast, rambutan and jackfruit red curry £10.95 Stir-fried. I loved the unusual taste combinations and am thrilled to try more. it certainly has more pizzzz than other oriental food in birmingham, like Chinese. it is a pity that the night we visited was quiet, as I think this style of the restaurant needs a lively atmosphere to show up. I liked the individual rooms for relaxing and private parties, as well as the outside garden."
