Red Peppers is a small chain of restaurants in the UK - I believe that there are around 3. The one in Birmingham is based in the prestigious Mailbox complex, right on the canal. I've always had a bit of an invested interest in this restaurant as my sister actually helped to design the place. It's also the first place I ever met my boyfriend's parents and so I do feel quite an attachment to it!

The best time to visit Red Peppers is in the summer. They open the doors out, have lots of chairs and tables outside overlooking the canal and offer a relaxed and laid-back place in which to drink and eat afternoons away. The decor is full of warm colours - reds, yellows, oranges etc - with stained glass at the back creating a cosy atmosphere. The place is always packed to the rafters with young couples, families and friends meaning that it is always buzzing, full of chatter and laughter - just the way I like my restaurants!

The food is eclectic - there is a strong emphasis on Thai and Mexican influenced food - yet the pizza menu is distinctly Italian. The starters range from garlic bread with caramelised onions and pesto, to a small rack of baby back ribs. Chilli tempura prawns is also a firm favourite. There is an impressive range of food on the main menu - around 15 pizzas with toppings such as chicken fajita and goats cheese, onions and sundried tomatoes. The mains have flavours that are well thought through such as goats cheese salad with honey dressing and pears or enchiladas with a topping of guacamole, salsa and sour cream. The food is very reasonably priced, with a main around £8 - £13 and a pizza from £5 - £8. Salads are £4 - £8 and starters are £3 - £6. The food is filling and delicious - it's not fine dining however, not that it has ever claimed to be so.

The drinks menu is varied, with a medium sized wine menu and an impressive array of cocktails. Be warned - the house wine comes in litre carafs (not bad wine actually for £12 ) - which means you can come out feeling a little worse for wear! There is also the usual beers, soft drinks and sprits for average prices.

I like Red Peppers. It's become a lunchtime haunt of mine due to its relaxed atmosphere, reasonably priced drinks and non-pretentious food. It doesn't claim to be anything more than it is. It's a great place to meet with friends, but also reserved enough to take your parents to. It's one of those places I think I've been to 100 times and am yet to get bored of it. It will be sorely missed when I leave Birmingham.