I am ashamed to say as an adopted Brummie, finding me laying my roots here for the last 18 years but I had never been to The Plough in Harborne. More fool me. This independent pub is a community staple for the Harborne massive and no surprise it is as they create a seamless environment from morning to noon to night.
You can find yourself snuggling into a banquette for an intimate meet up, equally plenty of room for large group tables or basking in the outdoor area pooch in tow. A host of greenery and reclaimed wood furniture gives it a simply slick Scandinavian feel. Most importantly underpinning this is a passion for quality.
On reading of their new salad bar launch, as a green queen fanatic this really caught my eye. I feel often the mere salad is not explored to its fullest and often takes the shape of over loaded Caesar dressed cos lettuce. Well Birmingham rejoice for now Mon-Fri at The Plough they have a rotating rainbow selection of tasty, healthy dishes.
My partner in crime is a carb man, so he indulged in the beef brisket Cubano. To hunky slices of sour dough filled to the max with melt in the mouth brisket, spiced nduja sausage and melted cheese.
The salad bar sits behind the main bar area and is a definite case of see-food to get the mouth-watering. They launched the bar in January as everyone is in need of a little healthy boost, but I am sure it will be here to stay.
I visited them after a busy Friday lunch and the salads had quite literally been flying out and the chef had to rustle up extra veggie plates during service. Thankfully they had kindly prepped me one in advance, so I got to try all of the delectable dishes.
With a rotating seasonal daily display, when you go it will be surprise menu but I can tickle your taste buds with the colourful, filling array I devoured. Roasted baby carrots, mini mozzarella and green lentils, vibrant broccoli with soy and sesame, a punchy piquant cherry tomato salsa pimped with pomegranate, sweet potato and feta, fresh leaves and baby courgettes, and mustard potato salad.
Alongside this was a roasted red pepper houmous and a sundried tomato tapenade and a sprinkling of crunchy seeds. You can order your salad alone or add a protein. I had the joy of trying all 3 which included hot oak smoked salmon flakes, peri peri chicken fillets and vegetable fritters. The salmon was my clear favourite. If you like your food spicy local hot sauce queen Pip’s is available to serve your heat needs.
If salad isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other treats to choose from. My partner in crime is a carb man, so he indulged in the beef brisket Cubano. To hunky slices of sour dough filled to the max with melt in the mouth brisket, spiced nduja sausage and melted cheese. Served with fries and a feta salad garnish. A gent with a healthy appetite, even he was beaten. Clearly it was the salad that got left behind. I indulged in a nibble- reviewers rights, and it was a dreamy sandwich. Rich with butter and filling.
Despite a very busy Friday lunchtime the staff were friendly, knowledgeable and very accommodating. The salad bar suits those with dietary needs and the kitchen will go the extra mile to ensure guests don’t loose out simply because they have dietary requirements.
There are a host of daily deals on over the week and if you download their app you won’t miss out and get some extra loyalty treats thrown in for good measure. Keep your eyes peeled on the ‘to good to go’ app as the Plough use them to help reduce food waste- so you can even bag yourself a delicious bargain and do your bit for the planet. I am planning my next visit already.
Words by Rhiannon Simpson of Birmingham Food Tour