WITH its four striking columns, gorgeous brickwork and exquisite hanging baskets, this newly renovated pub has to be one of the best looking bars in town.
It's certainly got some of the finest views from its front windows which overlook one of the few green spaces in Birmingham city centre.
The nearby trees are already bursting with rapidly growing conkers and, before long, the rain-enhanced leaves will be turning into pure gold to add another seasonal touch of class. Who needs Broad Street?
The Rope Walk reopened in late July. Thanks to the smoking ban, even three weeks later it still had the heady atmosphere of a carpet showroom.
Our table in the window had very comfy chairs to relax in while we waited for what promised to be 'real ales, real wines and real food'.
We weren't disappointed after the friendly staff served us well, both at the bar and at the table.
My 8oz cheese and bacon-topped beefburger was a touch dense having been overcooked. But its flavour had real depth.
Just like the fish with bones that Madison and Louie shared in edible beer batter, Collette's chicken on her discreetly-dressed salad and Holly's own grilled chicken breast burger.
Our chips were hot and tasty, the garden peas were juicy and any other trimmings were spot on.
With the cars outside having gone, it was only upon leaving that I noticed a carbuncle of a parking machine right outside the pub - and another directly opposite, too.
Twinning this most unsightly street 'furniture' in exactly the wrong place for aesthetics on both sides of the road is a shameful act of city council vandalism.
THE BILL: Fish and chips £6.25, 8oz beef burger with cheese and bacon £5.95, Chicken burger £5.95, Chicken and bacon salad £5.95, 2 x J20 £3.80, 1pt Cumberland Real Ale £2.40, 1 x 250ml Hardys Chardonnay £3.80: Total: £34.10.
