Food & Drink Writer Amelia Bell reviews pizzas and drinks from Smoke and Ash, a newly opened restaurant close to the Vale
… a new independently run local business in the heart of Edgbaston
Smoke and Ash is a new independently run local business in the heart of Edgbaston within walking distance of the Vale. The owners Clare and Paul both attended UOB and have a passion for bringing students to their restaurant. The restaurant offers authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas whilst providing a wealth of fabulous cocktails, wine, and beer as well as non-alcoholic options.
Clare and Paul Collins.
When I visited Smoke and Ash I was very warmly welcomed, making it clear that they wanted to share their love for pizza with the students of UOB.
I ordered a delicious Chilli Yuzu Margarita which was the perfect marrying of sweetness and chilli. The cocktails are reasonably priced at around £10, but they do not skimp on quality. They also offer local beers from Stirchley which are priced very reasonably at around £5 a pint.
The burrata melted in my mouth and perfectly complemented the veggies on the pizza
I started with some delectable large mixed olives for £4.50 which were perfect to share between two. Then, being vegetarian, I opted for the Greenfield Pizza which I added a ball of burrata to. The burrata melted in my mouth and perfectly complemented the veggies on the pizza. One of the best things about Smoke and Ash are their ingredients which are so fresh and tasty, that you can tell that they have carefully selected their wholesalers. The pizza dough is outstanding and it is evident that the dough is made fresh daily.
Clare and Paul Collins.
One thing to note is that there weren’t a vast amount of veggie/ vegan options and we discussed adding more in order to remain competitive and inclusive. However, the pizzas are customizable and you could easily make any of them veggie-friendly. A pizza ranges from £9.50- £14.50, which remains very reasonable for students when celebrating occasions such as birthdays or when parents come to visit.
A pizza ranges from £9.50- £14.50
When talking to Clare and Paul I got a sense of their passion for the finer details as well as their drive to bring the locals and students to their restaurant. Since they are both alumni they are interested in bringing the student market to Smoke and Ash, offering students 10% off when dining in, and 20% off when collecting pizzas. The pizza dough is made in-house every day and all of the ingredients are either sourced locally or from authentic Italian wholesalers.
Quality is one of the most important values that Clare and Paul strive for. They felt that there was a gap in the market within Birmingham and that there weren’t many independent pizza restaurants offering cocktails, wine and pizza to this standard. The menu changes often and always offers a seasonal pizza option, along with the cocktails reflecting the season.
Clare and Paul Collins.
Smoke and Ash would be a wonderful place to take someone on a date as it has a romantic and cool feel about the place. They have taken time to consider the interior design and ensure that it is a comfortable experience. The restaurant also would be a wonderful place to host a social for a society and if you get in contact with Smoke and Ash prior to this, they are more than happy to negotiate offers for your group.
Smoke and Ash would be a wonderful place to take someone on a date…
They also offer a fabulous lunch deal whereby you can get any pizza plus a topping with a drink (including wine or beer) for a very reasonable £12.95 and this is available Thursday and Friday. The owners actively want students to come and try their pizza and work with Deliveroo in order to offer student discounts. Keep an eye out for Christmas offers and deals! The restaurant could be a lovely place to celebrate with friends before going home for Christmas.
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