Nana Val's Southern Kitchen in South Staffordshire

Had seen this open in the tea rooms on Kinver high street, and as a southern fried chicken lover couldn’t wait to go. Starters were lovely and very big portions, complimentary corn bread was great too. We both went for the classic southern fried chicken, a leg, thigh and breast with mash and greens. The breast fillet strip was cooked perfectly, unfortunately the leg and thigh were pink and warm as you got into it. We didn’t want to make a scene as it’s a very intimate place (12 people max) so whispered to the wonderful waitress and sent it away. I was shocked when she returned and the chef tried to defend it saying it is pink on the bone because of the veins in the chicken 🤷‍♂️ A table nearby did the same, not because we did, but chicken and pink simply are a no no. Lovely little place, wonderful waitresses, great cocktail list….but need to take more care with their signature dish! Paid full price, wasn’t about that, but disappointed not to be offered any form of discount or a free drink given we sent 50% of the main course back! Sadly won’t be returning which is a real shame 😢

We ate at Nana Val's last weekend after hearing about its recent opening on social media. From the same team behind 'The Olde House Tearooms' next door (another hearty recommendation), Nana Val's didn't disappoint. The starters really scratched that itch for down south, good-old fashioned soul cooking, with the devilled eggs, fried green tomatoes and honey corn flake chicken wings all really hitting the spot. We've eaten at several soul food spots in Harlem & parts of Brooklyn (Sylvia's, Amy Ruth's, Red Rooster, Dinosaur BBQ), and Nana Val's surprised us with how well it stacked up considering its located in a quaint British village of all places! All the accompanying side dishes took me straight back to those spots, from the biscuits and gravy to the classic mash and collared greens combo. Desserts were another highlight: Peach cobbler is one of my all-time favourite sweet treats, and whilst a deep-fried Oreo sounds like an affront against all things good and proper, we couldn't fault the flavour combination on that either, decadent as it was. My only foible was that whilst the herbs and spice combination was spot-on when it came to flavour, the crust on the fried chicken maybe left a little bit to be desired in terms of texture and mouth-feel. The wings starter by comparison seemed a much better batter. But all in all, definitely a hidden gem and worth the visit.