Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol was published in 1843.
Dickens more than any other Victorian lays out a blueprint as to how Christmas should be celebrated and every year I try and read the book. It is to this parallel that I introduce Bistro 1847, who are now laying down a blue print for modern vegetarian food, in the detail, the ingredients and in how they present in this case their own 1847 Christmas.
Bistro 1847 is the growing collection of Vegetarian restaurants That is named after the year the vegetarian society was formed four years after the Christmas Carol was published.
With a restaurant due to open in Bristol on the 23rd October and two more in Brighton and Edinburgh to open shortly, this year is proving to be a busy one for them.
Their food has always delighted me and often surprised me. The ingredients used are often seasonal, sometimes foraged but always intricate in their construction and textures and flavours.
Ruth and I had the pleasure last week of been invited to sample their new Christmas menu in Birmingham at their Great Western Arcade restaurant.
Christmas Bellini style cocktails at Bistro 1847.
The Christmas menu includes dishes such as:
Starters:
Mushroom Crostini,
Winter Warmer,
Squash and feta,
Mains: Merguez and mash (spicy puy lentil sausage, turnip, sage mash, red onion gravy),
Cabbages (Brussel Sprout Frittata, sautéed savoy vadouvan and cauliflower velouté)
(Veggie/Vegan) Fish and chips (battered Halloumi, triple cooked chips, savoy lemon curd, green pea and Basil.)
Desserts:
Tropical fruits,
Chocolate and pear
chestnut pie.
We tried: starters (sample size only)
Mushroom crostini. A mushroom and walnut pate, pickled quince, smoked butter toast.
Winter warmer: Roasted parsnip soup, Rosemary persillade, black sesame, sesame oil.
A very warming Christmas seasonal like dish.
Squash and feta: Whipped feta, roasted butternut squash, wilted kale, pumpkin seeds.
My favourite starter, light and well flavoured.
Halloumi Fish and chips ( a signature dish, though not very seasonal!) always nice though.
Vegan version of Fish and chips made with tofu.
Tropical Fruits: Burnt pineapple, pomegranate and orange, caramel, coconut streusel. Refreshing and nice after a heavier meal.
The Bistro 1847 Christmas menu is a varied and balanced menu that caters for both vegetarians and vegans.
lunch is £16.95 2 courses. Including a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. Available Monday- Saturday 12-00-15.00.
Dinner is £24.00 3 courses plus coffee.
There are tasting menus available too for £40 per person. 6 courses plus coffee and petit fours.
Available from December 1st.
Some Photos of Dishes at Bistro 1847 from my previous visits.
Lunch deal. £10 any main course plus drink. Monday to Saturday 12-3pm.
We were invited to Bistro 1847, all food and drink was complimentary. No post was required. Thanks to Vicky for the invite and the team for the hospitality and food.
Bistro 1847, 26 Great Western Arcade, Birmingham B2 5HU.
0121-236-2313.
Have a very 1847 Christmas.
Thanks for reading
Andy 😊
For details of their new openings keep an eye on their twitter and facebook pages.
https://m.facebook.com/pages/1847-Birmingham/208341145981255
@By1847
@1847Birmingham
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