Cafe Opus is a lovely light flooded restaurant for a relaxing brunch or lunch. Part of the Opus family, with Well regarded Opus Restaurant and Bar Opus, the cafe sits comfortably and temptingly in the Beautiful building that is the internationally acclaimed contemporary Ikon Gallery, which is surely one of the best places to visit in Birmingham.
Again like its other siblings, the cafe focuses on local seasonal produce, ethically sourced and informally put together to make a high quality cafe in its own right.
Ikon Gallery
Cafe Opus have now launched a new seasonal menu (See above) that has a number of tempting Vegetarian and Some vegan dishes on it.
Try Slow Baked Aubergine, rich tomato and Quorn ragu. (Not vegan)
Penne Pasta tossed in basil pesto, Wilted rocket and sun blushed tomatoes (vegan) see photo below.
Photo courtesy of Cafe Opus/Clive Reeves PR. 
Spaghetti with homemade rich tomato and Quorn bolognaise sauce. (Not vegan)
Note: for vegans the menu says vegan friendly for a number of dishes, but only certain quorn products are vegan friendly. This after discussion with Opus is under review.
Plus light bites:
Buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, basil pesto salad
Homemade Soup (Vegan soup option available daily).
Goats Cheese, roasted beetroot salad dressed leaves, red onion marmalade.
Cafe Opus also serve a daily all day Brunch menu that includes mushrooms on toast, and fluffy pancakes- maple syrup and banana.
And for £10.50 you can enjoy soup and another dish off the menu.
Cafe open Tuesday-Sunday 10-5.
Cafe Opus also serve Afternoon Tea every day for £10 per person. This includes finger sandwiches, fancy cakes, scones, clotted cream, fresh fruit conserves and tea. (See photo below)
Spoil Mum this #MothersDay with their #AfternoonTea package. Afternoon Tea with prosecco for two, just £30.
Call 0121 200 2323 for a gift card – the perfect present!
2 Photos above courtesy of Cafe Opus.
Janet Mendelsohn: Varna Road exhibition:
At the moment until April 3rd The Ikon Gallery hosts the largest exhibition to date of photographs by American academic and documentary filmmaker Janet Mendelsohn.
Part of a ‘photo-essay’ Mendelsohn made as a student at the University of Birmingham during 1967–69, the photographs depict everyday life in the inner-city district of Balsall Heath, focusing in particular on a young woman referred to as Kathleen, with whom Mendelsohn formed a close relationship.
Balsall Heath during the 1960’s was Birmingham largest Red light district. A place of work for 200 prostitutes. This included Varna Road which the exhibition is named after.
Mendelsohn photographs show a working class distinct in flux prior to the so called slum clearance that followed within 2 years.
This challenging exhibition of photographs is on until the 3rd April 2016.
Thanks for reading,
Andy 😊
Summer at Cafe Opus.
Cafe Opus, 1 Oozells Street, Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2HS.
https://ikon-gallery.org/event/janet-mendelsohn/
veggiefoodie 
I love the Ikon and should go more frequently. After a successful trip to the BMAG this weekend, I think I’ll take Matthew up to the Ikon soon. Really want to see that exhibition, too.
It looks really good doesn’t it. The ikon’ said lovely spot especially on a sunny day. Lovely and light cafe and building. In the summer it’s my favourite place to sit, on the terrace with a drink, and food.
Big fan of Ikon and love their Ginger Cake. Haven’t had the chance to eat a proper meal there specially with so many choices in Brindleyplace, but I know it’s good. Drop by my blog if you get time, have covered some eating place in Birmingham and my post on Ikon goes live this Tuesday. Cheers
The Ikon’s a lovely spot. The Ginger cake is beautiful too. With Cafe Opus they change the menu frequently so as to catch the seasonal produce which helps with return visits. I will do that, thanks for commenting.