IF you're looking for somewhere special to go or even a relaxed bite to eat and a quick drink, then look no further than Tom’s Kitchen.

The Advertiser's Ben Russell took a trip to the restaurant, located in The Mailbox, right in the heart of Birmingham city centre, to enjoy dinner.

In the world of food, Michelin starred chef Tom Aikens is a rising star.

He has cultivated a reputation as a chef who specialises in seasonality and local produce.

So it’s no surprise that Tom’s Kitchen Birmingham attracts visitors from far and wide.

Open daily, the restaurant serves British favourites, comfort food classics and seasonal specials in a relaxed and informal setting.

All of the menus are created by Tom Aikens and brought to you by head chef Tom Wells and his team.

My partner and I visited on a Wednesday night and were looking forward to enjoying a nice sit down and some good food.

To start, I chose a ham hock foie gras parfait with mustard emulsion from the special board.

And special is a good way to describe it - it both looked and tasted stunning and was a particular highlight.

My partner went for the Spicy Devonshire Crab Cake which came with cucumber, and quinoa salsa.

It was perfectly cooked - light, fluffy with a sublime smokiness running through it.

For the mains, we both opted for something from the grill - me a Cumbrian Rump Pavé Steak and her, a Shorthorn Rib Eye Steak.

Both were succulent, cooked just as we ordered, and came with the full monty of extras.

To go with the steak we had a glass of the Malbec Trapiche ‘Melodias Winemakers Selection’ a brooding red, filled with notes of dried beef which paired nicely.

We (just about) managed to squeeze in a dessert between us.

Again going from the special board we had a creme caramel coffee baked Alaska, with cornflakes and peanut butter.

I never thought we'd finish it, then took one taste before wolfing down every last morsel without a hint of guilt or regret.

It was just right and not too sweet.

All the food was incredible.

Each dish was faultless in both taste and presentation, and all I can say is that it’s no surprise that Tom, as well as his team, are increasingly celebrated.

They pride themselves on sourcing their food locally, and you can really taste that freshness.

We both agreed that it was the best meal we’d had in a long time.

Private and semi-private dining options are also available and for those on the lookout for a quick bite, Tom’s Kitchen Deli located outside of the restaurant in The Urban Room, offers affordable, freshly prepared express options.

For more information, go to tomskitchen.co.uk.