THE new Miller and Carter on Hagley Road is a subtlety sophisticated (but not for too long) secret that Bearwood will not be able to keep to itself for much longer, writes Natasha Gayle.

Three of us visited on a Saturday night and the place was packed but thankfully that did not mean a long wait for our food.

As is en vogue I had checked on the website to decide on my main course before even arriving. The menu is classic English fare but with flair.

For starters there were bourbon glazed chicken skewers, dusted calamari and hand made duck and sweet chilli rolls.

However, I went for the ginger and beer glazed pork belly bites (£5.95) which were served with a heirloom tomato and basil salad.

The pork belly starter was absolutely award winning.

Unfortunately, there did not seem to be enough to satisfy me after I had the first succulent bite.

My two dining companions had the sharing platter of smoked barbecue ribs, baked cheddar mushrooms, dusted calamari, nachos, smoked chipotle and honey chicken wings, sweet potato fries and garlic bread (£7.95).

The mixture of bite size starters was deservedly devoured. Calamari fried to perfection, and button mushrooms sautéed in a simple, yet effective cheese sauce.

The main courses on offer ranged from burgers to fish but the place obviously excels at steak offering on and off the bone steaks aged 30 days.

My friends, after being tipped off about the dish by a pal earlier in the day, went for the 16oz chateaubriand (£42.95) which was cut from the beef tenderloin, this most tender of cuts is recommended medium rare.

There was a delightful selection of desserts including sticky toffee pudding, banoffee pie and Belgian chocolate ganache but we were all to full to indulge.

The chateaubriand was highly delightful on the eye, as the palette. It was medium to rare as ordered, and needless to say it did not last long on our table.

My visit to Miller and Carter, left me wanting more.

With Donna, my well informed waitress, as my guide, the evening was enjoyable and at a pace which was not rushed, despite being a full restaurant, mid service on a Saturday evening.