264921 Wed Nov 17 05:03:38 -0800 2004 3 26 International 0 1398667 We are taking friends into Birmingham on Saturday for a concert and we plan to have a Balti beforehand. I've got some listings, but little idea which of the 30-odd restaurants is actually good. Any recommendations greatfully received! Thanks, Sue Wed Nov 17 05:03:38 -0800 2004 0 Walnuts 1 1398684 fyi - 'balti' is a marketing gimmick; most indians confronted with the name 'balti' will think that it means 'bucket', while a few might think it has something to do with balistan, a province in pakistan. having said that, there is conceivably good noshing to be had in a balti restaurant, but that's unfortunately never been my experience. best of luck. Wed Nov 17 14:03:42 -0800 2004 1398667 0 howler 1 1398691 If you want somewhere with a bit of class close to the ICC I'd go for Shimla Pinks. Thu Nov 18 06:20:41 -0800 2004 1398667 0 compo 2 1398887 I have eaten at the Oxford branch of Shimla Pinks - good value. Balti in Hindi does mean bucket. And there is the Baltistan province of Pakistan, under considerable stress. But there are some decent Balti restaurants in LA, so I can easily imagine there will be decent Balti restaurants in UK. The fact that most Indians will be confused by "Balti" does not answer the original poster's query - most Indians in India and US will also be confused by "Mulligatawny". Mon Nov 29 17:11:52 -0800 2004 1398691 0 Suvro