Cow & Sow (Birmingham)

You'll find Cow & Sow tucked away on Chamberlain Square, where the city's civic buildings lend a bit of gravitas to the whole affair. It's the kind of place that doesn't need to shout about itself—the kitchen does the talking. Expect proper British fare executed with real care: fat-marbled steaks, proper pies with actual stock underneath, vegetables that taste like vegetables. The room's got a nice balance of smart without being stuffy, and the fact that nearly 1,000 people have rated it 4.7 stars suggests they're doing something genuinely right. This is honest cooking in a city that's learned to appreciate the difference.