The Fingerpost – Norton Road, Pelsall. Reviewed 26/10/25.

It was payday weekend, I was on the seated leg press in the gym and getting peckish. I decided to go and have a Sunday dinner and thought I’d give The Fingerpost a whirl as I hear the ongoing bridge work outside is being a pain in the arse to them.

The number 8 was on time and for the second day in a row I got to enjoy the bizarre re-route. At least it was light this time and I was prepared for it unlike the day before when I was travelling to Rushall for a food review and was completely baffled. It’s one hell of a diversion, going up Broadway North, Sutton Road, Longwood Lane and Mellish Road just to avoid the road outside the Arboretum but it felt like I was getting proper value for my bus fare. I’d just go though The Butts but not sure if that is allowed. I aint Sally Traffic you know..

I got off the bus at the correct stop, novel for me yeah, and took a gentle stroll to the pub. Been in the pub loads of times but not for food and I hadn’t booked so hoped they could fit me in. As I ambled I may have wandered too close to the construction site as suddenly I heard an automated voice saying “this is a restricted area.” Well I hope it’s automated anyway as it’s a crap voice – almost as bad as mine. I was too hungry for breaching restrictions so I marched on.

I was seated at a “reserved” table for 4 which I felt slightly awkward about but hoped it wouldn’t cause a kerfuffle. Peruse menu time then. Always exciting. One course is £13.95, 2 is £17.95, and 3 is £21.95. Bloody hell, this review is in danger of being a bit “informative”. Normal service will be resumed shortly, I’m sure.

Anyway, nobody goes out for 1 course do they? I was going for two. But then again, having all 3 is the most economical. Go on then. I do not need much persuading to go into “Been Paid, Must Spend Mode.”

First up was Prawn Cocktail served on an array of salad. I’d never squeezed lemon onto Prawn Cocktail before but as a slice was provided I did just that. It was great. I even ate most of the salad. Sorry, I should have warned you to be seated before hitting you with that bombshell.

Next up was the roast pork dinner. Now when I go for Sunday dinner at Katz or Walsall Arms, they know the drill No vegetables. As it was busy in here I didn’t want to waste the waitresses time by explaining this and to be honest I couldn’t be arsed so dinner was served with all he trimmings. I don’t eat veg. Hated them since I was a kid, but on the this occasion I didn’t want the serving staff to think I was a nob by not eating them. So I had a go, leaving the good stuff till last as a reward. And it was all fine. My stomach must have been shouting “oi. We don’t do nutrients”That’s where my mom went wrong all those years ago, should have got waitresses to serve Sunday dinner.

The dinner was ace. Halfway through, the party on the next table were presented with a cake and they all sang “Happy Birthday.” Normally I’d have put my stage show voice on and joined in but I had a mouthful of pork and I can’t make everything all about me. Dessert was placed down and announced as “Eton Mess Lemon Meringue.” This was good as well.

This was a great visit. Service good, food excellent and staff friendly and courteous. Loved it. Place was bustling and the atmosphere jovial. Music was mainly old school with Billy Joel “She’s Always A Woman” being the pick. At the bar when I went to pay, the guy being served rounded his order off with a pack of scampi fries and pork scratchings. Despite what I’d just shovelled down me, I was l a bit envious, and I still have half a big jar of Cool Hog scratchings in my Living Room.

I left full, happy and quickly reassured that I was in a restricted area. If you’re reading this on a Sunday and pondering dinner, let the fingerpost on the corner of Norton Road, point you in the direction of this great pub (3 real ales on too if that’s your thing).

Grazie Mille – 68 Bridge Street. Reviwed 31/10/25.

It was Halloween. It’s a family tradition that dates back centuries that on Halloween, visiting trick or treaters are avoided by being out of the house. I come from a long line of miserable sods. Eager to keep this going I decided to visit Grazie Mille at the top f Bridge Street, across the road from Flan O’Briens.

This was New Ruby, a Chinese for years, stood empty a long time then became Chop & Wok which didn’t last long. I didn’t manage to tick that off that incarnation and to be honest I couldn’t remember the name and had to use the date function of Google Maps Streetview to recall it.

It opened as Grazie Mille ( Italian for a thousand thanks) Authentic Neapolitan Pizzeria on Valentines Day this year. I had no need to book a table that night but have been wanting to pop in.

There were two tables with chairs outside which I wasn’t quite feeling. Inside it was stylish, atmospherically lit with a nice soundtrack of continental music. It was certainly a bit different to my sole visit when it was The Ruby.

There was a warm welcome and I was quickly seated, with a candle lit for me. I’ve got to be honest I didn’t give the menu the thorough examination that was required as (a) I was hungry and wanted to order asap and (b) I was in a rush as there was a great sounding band on at Katz that I wanted to see from the off.

I just went for Pancetta Aglio described as classic garlic bread with crispy Pancetta. It arrived quickly and much to my surprise and delight I got a pizza cutter. This was exciting. I have never used one and it quickly showed. By the 3rd slice though I was cutting like a diva.

Food was really good. The garlic bread and a bottle of Coke Zero (it’s not licensed) came to £12 which I was happy with. The bill came with two chocolate biscuity things which earned them bonus points.

As I paid I had a quick chat and he explained a bit of the transformation of the place from what it was and how the festive menu launches on the 5th of November with a bacon and Brie pizza and also one called “Pigs Too Hot For Blankets.” both of which sound amazing. He handed me a 20% off my next visit voucher, which I shall be using. I am very easily bought, so that festive menu will be sampled.

Good visit this, a thousand thanks to them. As a Halloween eat, it was no tricks and all treat. It’s open 5pm to 10pm Wednesday to Saturday and 4pm till 8pm on Sundays if you want to visit.

The band McScraggy And The Suits at Katz were excellent. Probably one of the best Halloweens ever.