Popular restaurant invests £100,000 in makeover and menu

A Wolverhampton restaurant has completed a £100,000 refurbishment as it aims to cement itself as one of the leading Asian eateries in the West Midlands.

Bilash, which was opened in 1982 by chef Sitab Khan, opted to give the restaurant a makeover so it kept pace with the regeneration currently revitalising the city centre.

The restaurant, popular with local business leaders, footballers and musicians visiting the city, has gone for a minimalistic look with the addition of booths and state-of-the-art kitchen equipment.

A new menu has been inspired by the traditional cuisine of Bangladesh, and diners will now be able to sample signature dishes of Goan Tiger Prawn Masala, Laziz Posliyan and Mughi Diya Donia, as well as its traditional trademark meals.

A new wine selection has also been developed in partnership with Majestic Wines, with a special focus on sourcing unique varieties that complement the food on offer.

“We made the decision to take curry to the next level about 25 years ago, creating a unique dining experience with the freshest ingredients, the best service and a contemporary take on traditional Bengali cooking,” said Mohammed Khan, who now runs the business with his father.

“The latest refurbishment is the biggest in our history and reinforces our determination to remain one of the premier dining venues in the West Midlands. We listened to what our customers wanted and reflected that in more cosy seating, contemporary design styles and an open plan view into the kitchen…so they can see where the real action takes place.”

Bilash, which was Michelin rated for the sixth consecutive year, now seats 50 diners downstairs and a further 30 upstairs.

It is also expanding its corporate offering which has become a growing market for the business. Local firms have taken customers from Birmingham, Coventry and Shrewsbury to eat there.

The restaurant has also forged partnerships with Dunstall Racecourse and the Grand Theatre, with special packages for people visiting both venues.

“We are very proud of Wolverhampton and do everything we can to increase the profile of the city,” added Mohammed.

“I’m not ruling out further ventures either as we recognise the importance of working together with other businesses to boost the local economy.”

In addition to its Michelin rating, Bilash is also featured in the AA, Waitrose and Haden’s Good Food Guides.