Category Archives: Bars and Pubs

New Bar launch: Be At One Cocktail Bar, Birmingham. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, City Centre, Cocktails, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   

  
  
Be at One is a new underground cocktail bar that’s just opened in the lower part of Piccadilly Arcade, opposite New Street Station in Birmingham City Centre.

Be at One has 150 cocktails available on its menu. They fall in four types, classic, signature, modern and virtuous and Virgin. 

Be at One is located in the former Churchills basement snooker club in Stephenson Street at the back of Piccadilly Arcade, and will open on Friday May 13th.

The bar is part of a chain which currently has 31 venues across the UK including Bath, Bristol and Cardiff and 19 in London.

Be At One’s original bar was opened in 1998 in Battersea Rise, London.

The bar will be open until 3am every day except Sundays (12am close).
   

you can expect great service, an unbeatable party atmosphere and a pretension-free attitude! 

On the menu you will find concoctions such as Banana banchee, Brazilian monk, Japanese slipper, Russian spring punch, devil in disguise and flame haired vixen. 

Be At One will be the only bar in the arcade which also houses Faculty Coffee and 16 Bakery. 

Ruth and I visited for their press launch on the 11th May. Here are some of the photos. Apologies for the darkness of them. 

It was an impressive evening. 

   Margarita and Negroni.

 A Perfect Negroni. Probably the best I’ve had in Birmingham. Full of Campari depth. Perfection and deeply Italian, just needed some Aperitivo snacks.

I also tried a top notch and my new favourite cocktail a Rob Roy.
Made from Beautiful Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, and Dash of angostura Bitters. Well recommended, whisky lovers try it. 

   
The Interior, dark but cool and funky style with a large island style bar and lots of red. 

It has Bustling but fab service and bar staff that know their way round their drinks. 

One of the bar’s quirks is a slightly sloping ceiling, from the days 100 years ago when The Picture House cinema was above.

The 34-page menu has 150 cocktails in it. Roughly £8.50 a cocktail. Some less expensive, some more. 

 Ruth’s  Vesper cocktail. 

Originally in the James Bond book Casino Royale  and became his signature cocktail. Gin, Vodka and Kina Lillet. Top notch, she said and her new favourite cocktail. Ruth enjoying her Vesper cocktail.

Photos above from the press launch on May 11th.

There is a Happy Hour enables you to buy one cocktail and get one free for a partner.

The hours are from 4.30pm til 1.30am Monday to Wednesday, 4.30pm till 3.00am Thursday to Saturday and Sunday 4.30-Midnight. 

For a list of their cocktails 

http://www.beatone.co.uk/cocktails

You can find Bar At One on the New Street Station side of The Piccadilly Arcade B2 4BJ.

http://www.beatone.co.uk/cocktail-bar/birmingham

https://www.facebook.com/BeAtOneBirmingham

https://twitter.com/beatone_brum

http://www.beatone.co.uk/media/images/AWBe-At-One-WEB-No-Prices_1876.pdf

Drink Photos courtesy of Be At One. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

All drinks in the photos and mentioned were complimentary from the press night. 

   
 Be At One Bar at the foot of the arcade, near the station and next to Cafe Nero.

   
 

Restaurant Review: #VeggieMonth, Met Bar & Kitchen, Solihull. 

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, Brunch, Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Independent, Solihull, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

 

How refreshing is it to find an independent restaurant and bar in Solihull town centre. Amongst the same again chains and cheap and cheerful Broad Street like drink offers sits the Met Bar & Kitchen.

The Met Bar & Kitchen is located in the centre of Solihull close to Mell Square & Touchwood. It’s an independent all day bar and restaurant that offers something different in Solihull Town Centre to the dominant chains that are nearby. 

Inside It has a modern decor with some urban touches, that keeps these thankfully to a minimum and has a cosy and relaxed ambience that has a buzzy touch on the Friday night Ruth and I visited. 

With a well stocked bar of local ales, craft beer, cocktails, bubbly and a good and reasonably priced wine list it appeared a good bet for a relaxed but serious drink on a weekend without the loud music and teeny vibe of other venues locally. 

I was invited to try out the vegetarian dishes at Metro Bar & Kitchen as They had asked me to have input in their Spring menu for Veggie Month. They have introduced some new dishes to their menu and expanded their daily and weekly specials to encourage more customers to try a non meat and fish option as well as attract more vegetarian customers. 

We began in the smart and relaxed bar area with a glass of Prosecco, which is lively but unobtrusive area and we felt was a good place to begin the evening if dining at Met Bar & Kitchen. 

  

Restaurant area.
  

Once seated at the table in a smart booth section of the restaurant we ordered a Couple of cocktails: A Negroni and Margarita. I was impressed with my Negroni, it had a good Campari kick with the complimented vermouth and was an aromatic aperitif of good quality, which would have been even better with less added ice. 

Ruth’s Margarita tasted fine, but disappointed her as as the rubbed salt around the rim of the glass was omitted, could it be classed as a margarita? The flavours were good the tequila, and triple sec gave it a fresh and crisp zingyness. 

  Negroni and Margarita: A nice couple.

Ruth decided she was grazing on meat for the night. Good for her I say as she doesn’t eat it that much at home. 

I chose my starters off the specials menu. It’s with the changing specials that the bulk of the vegetarian dishes find themselves. 

So take my Roast Apple and Parsnip Soup. A soup that was full of good warming flavours, mellow, but zingy, the biggest compliment I could give it was that it reminded me of my Mums version and was a delectable starter of sweet parsnips and tangy apples, creamy and smooth. Lovely.

  Roast Apple and Parsnip Soup.

  

Usually when I find a curry on a menu outside of an Indian restaurant I wouldn’t choose it. Partly because we eat a lot of curries at home and Ruth in particular makes many superb Vegetarian curries. 

So what attracted me to this one? Well partly because it was a Goan Curry from Goa and not often found on general menus, and partly because it has a coconut spiced masala (gravy) base which gives it a unique flavour. I love coconut in curries or stews. 

  

With its gentle spices it was a very flavoursome curry, a lovely glowing but light colour, gave it an attractive depth. Spicy rather than hot, with a nice chilli hit, the curry may have benefited from steamed or basmati rice as an option as the Naan was only ok, and a bit soggy underneath. 

A lovely veggie option that wasn’t oily or fatty, but tasted healthy, comforting and light with the addition of some nice tender squash (always a winner) with the subtle hint of coconut. A taste of coastal scents and sunshine.

  Butternut Squash, Goan Curry. 

  Naan.

The desert menu at Met Bar & Kitchen has some good options so proved to be quite a lengthy process to decide what to choose.

Eventually, I chose the Steamed Orange & Poppy Seed Sponge, Clementine syrup, mascarpone ice cream. The sponge, light, airy, though could have done with more clementine intensity for me, to give it an added luxurious lift, though it did provide a lightly scented aroma, which was nice. The Mascarpone ice cream offered a smooth and grown up, creamy delight to the pudding. Excellent. 

  Stewed Orange & Poppy seed sponge, clementine syrup, mascarpone ice cream.

  
  

We also enjoyed a double espresso and Hennessy Cognac after our deserts plus two glasses of Argentinian full bodied Malbec with our main courses. 

We were both very impressed with the Met Bar & Kitchen in Solihull. The Vegetarian dishes I ate were comforting, warming and very well made. Both good value with good strong punchy flavours it shows how you can make simple vegetarian dishes attractive and Moreish with a good culinary technique. What the Met Bar are not trying to do is divide diners or confuse them by creating food that is seriously complex, but instead creating classics with a twist that can appeal to non vegetarians too. It’s better to make dishes well than overdo bold dishes badly and they do this well on the whole.

Credit is due to them for wanting to increase their Vegetarian options and I’d like to see this as been the begining of a journey not them reaching their destination in Veggie Month. What though sticks out is that the Met Bar & Kitchen is an excellent All day place to eat in Solihull town centre and been independent deserves praise for having the foresight to improve food and drink options in the area. Don’t go there expecting foraged and rare ingredients like at Nomad in Birmingham, but a place instead that delivers good solid food. 

For Vegetarians who like to eat out in Solihull, its surely long overdue.

  
    
  

 
Met Bar & Kitchen have a happy hour from 12-7  every day with  2 for one cocktails.

Met Bar & Kitchen, 680-684 Warwick Road, Solihull town centre, B91 3DX. 0121-705-9495.

http://www.themetbar.com 

https://m.facebook.com/MetroBarGrillSolihull/

You can find The Met Bar & Kitchen on the Gastro Card: for details and offer. 

http://www.gastrocard.co.uk/restaurants/met-bar-solihull/

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Ruth and I were invited to the Met Bar, our food and prosecco were complimentary. Other drinks were paid for. This doesn’t affect my honest opinion as a fair and honest review was required. 

BrewDog beers to now carry Vegan Society Trademark. 

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

BrewDog is set to name 23 of its beers, including flagship beers Punk IPA and Five AM Red, Vegan Friendly and will carry The Vegan Society’s Trademark from This month (March).

BrewDog who brew their Beer in Scotland has rejected the use of isinglass, (or fish guts) a product derived from dried fish bladders and traditionally used as part of the fining of beer. (That amazingly Brewers still use) 

So dictating that dietary requirements won’t keep people out of its bars and allows Vegans and Vegetarians that space to relax and not have to ask the bartender that awkward question that they can never answer with conviction. ‘Is this beer suitable for vegetarians  or vegans?’ 

In place of isinglass, Brewdog use a “rock and roll centrifuge” (look it up, I had too) to clarify their beer, thereby making it suitable for Vegans and heavy metal fans who will be hoping this is not another rock and roll suicide to BrewDog. 

(End of Puns) 

Also, all tap handles will be clearly labelled ‘vegan friendly’ too. 

Also available will be a wider range of gluten free and alcohol free Beers.

The Vegan Trademark is the internationally renowned standard for products that are free of all animal use, seen on products since 1990.

BrewDog opened its first bar in 2010 and now has 30 bars across the UK. 

Hopefully this will be a trend that others may follow. 

One of my veggie foodie wishes would be for clearer labelling on bottles and for beers sold on tap in bars and pubs. It’s time to progress in this area. 

Birmingham’s BrewDog is located at 81-87 John Bright Street, near New Street Station next to Turtle Bay restaurant and almost opposite the fab and top bottled beer bods Cherry Reds. 

https://www.brewdog.com/bars/uk/birmingham

https://twitter.com/BrewDogBirm?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

https://www.facebook.com/BrewDogOfficial

Read about BrewDog vegan friendly labelling here:

https://www.brewdog.com/lowdown/blog/brewed-for-vegans

  
   

Thanks for reading, and happy drinking.

Andy 😊

For more details on the vegan society trademark see here: 

https://www.vegansociety.com/your-business/vegan-trademark-standards

All photos courtesy of BrewDog and The Vegan Society. 

Met Bar & Kitchen, Solihull supports veggie month this month. 

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Gastro Card, Solihull, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the Met Bar and Kitchen in Solihull for my input into their new menu. They wanted to explore with me their vegetarian dishes and ways in which they could improve the scope and variation on the menu in order to launch their new dishes and menu during Veggie Month which falls this month (March). 

I have to be honest and say that i’d never eaten at The Met Bar & Kitchen before though I’d seen them on Twitter and walked past numerous times when in Solihull, but knew for vegetarians the menu was limited and felt more of an add on rather than interesting enough to attract vegetarians into the bar, as well as impress meat eaters to try them out. 

The Met Bar Press Release says: 

‘Solihull’s Met Bar & Kitchen is marking Veggie Month by launching a range of daily changing vegetarian specials which will run throughout March. 

Created by Head Chef Zeke Agrios with ideas and input from Midlands-based vegetarian food blogger Andy Hare, the meat free dishes have been developed to tempt both vegetarians and meat eaters, with fresh seasonal and colourful ingredients expertly combined to make flavoursome and satisfying meals. 

Veggie Month specials include Coconut and Sweetcorn Fritters with spicy avocado, cherry tomato and Corriander salsa: Chargrilled Aubergine, sundried tomato and mozzarella wrap with marina a sauce and pine nut crunch and Ricotta and Spinach filo parcel served with puttanesca sauce. 

Met Bar and Kitchen Owner Alistair Tyson said: “We were conscious that vegetarian dishes are very often put together by meat eating chefs so we invited Andy to come up with some opinions he’d like to see on menus when dining out.

“Andy’s suggestions are a refreshing change and, with some chef development, they sit well alongside our new seasonal menu which will also launch in March. 

Andy Hare said: “A vegetarian meal when dining out can often mean a pasta or mushroom based dish. 

“We have some great vegetarian menus in Midlands restaurants and I’m delighted to add Met Bar and Kitchen to that list. My wife is a meat-eater and I know these are dishes she would order and enjoy too.”

The new menu also includes Butternut Squash, new potato and spinach Goan curry with Corriander Naan bread and Mac’ and cheese with forest mushrooms, spinach, blue cheese crumb and truffle oil. 

 Mac’ and cheese with forest mushrooms, spinach, blue cheese crumb and truffle oil.   Coconut and Sweetcorn Fritters with spicy avocado, cherry tomato and Corriander salsa. 

The dishes that I suggested will also be on the menu as specials, over the course of the month. 

Met Bar & Kitchen also have a Delicious Spiced chick pea and roasted pepper burrito with sour cream. Served with mixed leaves and frites For £6.25 Monday-Saturday to 6pm.  

Animal Aid’s Veggie Month provides an opportunity to emphasis the positive benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle and diet. 
It runs from March 1st-31st. 

http://www.animalaid.org.uk/veggiemonth/index.htm

  
The Met Bar & Kitchen is owned by Solihull Businessman and residents Chris Kelly and Alistair Tyson. They are also proprietors of The White Horse at Balsall Common and are involved in The Sun on The Hill in Birmingham. 

Met Bar & Kitchen, 680 Warwick Road, Solihull (town centre) B91 3DX. 

0121-705 9495. 

http://www.themetbar.co.uk

https://m.facebook.com/MetroBarGrillSolihull/

@mbksolihull 

Thanks to Lucie Ray-Barrett on behalf of Met Bar and Kichen, Solihull for my involvement. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Birmingham Vegan Beer festival returning on the 15-16th July 2016.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Beer festivals, Birmingham, City Centre, Festivals, Food, Independent, Real ale, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   
 This July The Birmingham Vegan Beer Festival will be returning after the much deserved success of last years event. 

The event which will be this year held at The Gunmakers Arms in Bath Street in the Jewellery Quarter and not at Two Towers Brewery in Hockley like last year. 

The Gunmakers Arms which is owned by Two Towers Brewery and has recently opened will run the event over two days, 15th and 16th July which is the beginning of the Birmingham Beer week. 

Last year I attended the event with Ruth and loved trying and ticking off the different beers and the food that was on offer from ChangeKitchen and last year The Warehouse Cafe. 

The event will be bigger than last year, and include roughly 20 mainly locally brewed Vegan friendly beers. 

The beers taking part in the festival haven’t been confirmed yet, but last year selection included from Two Towers, the excellent Chamberlain Pale Ale,  Complete Muppetry, Hockley Gold, and Electric Ale.

  
Plus there were beers from Rock and Roll Brewhouse (Meat is Murder) named after The Smiths seminal album, and their full bodied mild called Telstar,  Ginger Stout from Angel Ales brewed with fresh ginger, and the lovely Duck Blonde from Green Duck Brewing Company, with its fruity peachy then citrus, refreshing flavour and Gold Work from the fantastic Beowulf Brewing Company.

   
   
The Food will be provided by ChangeKitchen and Vegan Grindhouse. 

 ChangeKitchen food. 

Keep an eye on my blog for the full list of beers and food closer to July. 

See you there. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

  
http://twotowersbrewery.co.uk/

http://gunmakersarms.com/

The Gunmakers Arms holds frequent kitchen street food takeovers. See their website for details and Twitter. 

The Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Birmingham B4 6HQ. 

Two Towers Brewery, unit 1 Mott Street, Hockley, Birmingham B19 3HE. 

Veggie Burger Watch: One Trick Pony Club, Moseley, Birmingham. 

Posted in American, Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Moseley, Real ale, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers by

  
  

One Trick Pony Club opened in 2014 in Moseley, replacing the tired and quite frankly dull O’Neil’s on the Alcester Road. Though it’s a chain owned by the same parent company as its predecessor, Mitchells and Butlers ( it’s part of the Castle Pubs Group) its revamp resulted in a rustically lit, richer and a more hipster cool venue that’s introduced an American diner-style food menu for the Moseley (or London) wanna be’s. 

Though I’m not one to shout out too loud about chains, the One Trick Pony Club offers a cosy warm feeling space with a mixture of bar stool seating set around tall tables, brown leather booth style seating and a keen real ale list that includes Doom Bar, a Wychwood Beer and local Purity UBU as well as Thwaites Wainright. 

   
 
  
On a Tuesday 2-1 burgers are served and this is the deal that Ruth and I enjoyed, when we visited. 

The vegetarian burger is a Spicy chickpea, cous cous,and coriander burger with crispy onion and sweet potato fries costing £8.95. 

  
Spicy chick pea, couscous and Corriander burger with sweet potato fries. 

The element of spicy chickpea gave the burger a nice flavour, and with a good texture worked well with the cous cous to provide a veggie burger that didn’t fall away when bit into, (always a good sign) and with the addition of the crispy onion it was a satisfying eat. 

The sweet potato fries I enjoyed. They were good looking fries with a good flavour and bite to them. Nice. 

I’d recommend the veggie burger at One Trick Pony Club, especially on burger nights  2-1 deal. Though not the best in town by any means it was a cut above many and was good value even without the deal. For a drink it’s spacious and offers varied wine and beer options with some good real ales on tap. Though not offering a great and original choice of food for vegetarians, it’s satisfactory with a group of mates who may eat meat or with your partner for a relaxed evening. 

I liked the One Trick Pony Club’s cool funk feel it’s a nice place to chill and be fed and watered but, disappointingly not a horse in sight. 

Well not on the night we went. They were all in the Prince of Wales. Probably. 

  

  
 Sweet potato fries. 

One Trick Pony Club also have a brunch menu on a Saturday and Sunday which includes a vegetarian breakfast but no defined Vegan breakfast. 
They also offer what’s called a shoomhalloumi, (under burger menu) which is a grilled flat mushroom and Halloumi and you can build your own veggie burger with a base of Spinach and lentil, with extra toppings, extra patty and dips if you wish. Each topping is £1, and the basic burger is £6.95. I think this is good particularly for those with particular dietary requirements. 

The Toppings include avocado, crispy onions, Halloumi, flat mushroom, jalapeños, fried egg and Mac and cheese. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

We paid for our burgers and drinks in full. My opinions are my own and honest as they can be on a one off visit. 

https://www.onetrickponyclub.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/1trickponyclub?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

One Trick Pony Club, 93a Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8DD. 

Jan-Feb Food Pop Ups at Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Pop up's, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

    
If you live in Birmingham it can’t of escaped your notice how popular Streetfood has become over the last few years. Events such as Brum Yum Yum and Digbeth Diner have taken the art of street food and made it a core part of the Birmingham foodie week and month. 

Twice a year the lovely Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath have a months worth of food pop ups where their kitchens are handed over to small independent places to showcase their food in a more formal setting. 

This month sees the above luminaries test out their grub on the hungry Kings Heath masses, (with some good beer on the side). 

In particular Pietanic’s this week will be offering a veg scotch egg served with real ale chutney and a winter vegetables and wild mushroom pie. Plus a homemade salted caramel brownie for £15. 

   

   
 

Also on the menu are Canadian Gourmet Street Food peeps Caribou Poutine who have Vegetarian gravy options.

Original Don-Hand cut fries, cheese curd and homemade gravy. 

The big veggie Liz- creamy cabbage, English Stilton

Say cheese- Swiss Gruyere and English Stilton. 

Plus a Canadian butter Tarts and maple crunch ice cream 

Two courses for £10.

Please note the pop up change for Thursday 25th February is not now Buddha Belly but Yogiyo Korean kitchen who have a vegetarian option though details are not up on the Hare and Hounds website. 

  

Tickets and details for Pietanic takeover on January 28th:

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12614525

Tickets and details for Grub London and Crazy P on February 11th.

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12612484

Tickets and details for Caribou Poutine on February 18th.

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12612487

Tickets and details for Yogiyo Korean Food on February 25th.

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12612487

Please note that the Baked in Brick pop up on the 9th February is sold out, but didn’t include veggie options anyway. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

You can find Hare and Hounds on High Street, Kings Heath (corner of York Road) Birmingham B14 7JZ.

A tale of three drinks: Wine, Detox cocktails and Smoothies at Opus restaurants. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Colmore business district, Health drinks, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Wine by

   
 

Some of us at this time of year are thinking of either our health or our wallets or both. Birmingham Is generally very good at promoting its non alcoholic cocktails, and smoothies, but this month The Opus Restaurants are offering some good deals.

Opus of Cornwall Street have introduced their  January Wine Sale – Monday 4th January to Saturday 30th January.
From these dates you can Enjoy 50% off selected bottles of wine at Opus at Cornwall Street’s annual January wine sale. With 18 bottles to choose from including red, white, rose and dessert, wine enthusiasts can enjoy a range of fruity, spicy and velvety drinks. From the powerful but elegant ‘Valpolicella Ripaso’, a deep ruby red that is usually £35 but will cost just £17.50, to the soft ‘Auxey-Duresses Blanc’, a rich but relatively soft drink with orange blossom and lime notes that usually costs £75 but will be just £37.50, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an old favourite at half price or to try something new.

To see the full wine sale menu, take a look here: http://www.opusrestaurant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/JANUARY-WINE-SALE.pdf

http://www.opusrestaurant.co.uk/

Cafe Opus at Ikon Gallery: 
The cafe have introduced a number of  Detox Smoothies, packed full of healthy ingredients and sold All day, every day.

   
 
  
Cafe Opus will be serving three delicious smoothies – ‘Ginger Spice’, ‘Green and Clean’ and ‘All About The Berries’. All smoothies contain healthy ingredients, which are full of antioxidants and fibre to help purge those festive toxins. 

Each smoothie costs £3.50 and can be enjoyed to drink in or takeaway. 

To find out more about events happening at Cafe Opus at Ikon, visit: 

http://www.cafeopus.co.uk/

  

Bar Opus from the outside, AH

   
 Bar Opus at One SnowHill have introduced a number of Detox cocktails if you are Bidding the booze goodbye this month with Dry January or just want to cut down on alcohol or you are the designated driver. 
Luckily for you, Bar Manager Sam has whipped up some delicious alcohol-free cocktails for your January health kick. 

With six flavours to choose from including beetroot, pear, banana, carrot and ginger, apple, and kale and cucumber, these detox drinks are the perfect solution to not drinking but still going out. 
Cocktails are £3 each or £15 per case of 6. 

   
 Plus , Bar Opus have introduced  Wow Weekend – Every Friday and Saturday.

If you’ve got an Opus loyalty card then enjoy 50% off Prosecco from 5pm on Friday and all day Saturday. 
Opus loyalty cards can be picked up from Opus at Cornwall Street, Cafe Opus at Ikon and Bar Opus at One Snowhill and can be used in connection with other fabulous offers, including gaining 10p points for every £1 spent.

http://baropus.co.uk/

Whatever you do this year have a healthy one. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊
All photos apart from one are courtesy of Opus Restaurants. 

Bar Opus Christmas cocktail making videos. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, City Centre, Cocktails, Colmore business district, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian by

  

  
Bar Opus is one of the best places to drink cocktails in Birmingham. Classic cocktails are served along side some innovative concoctions using the freshest ingredients. 

To countdown to Christmas, and to celebrate the unique Christmas cocktails that Bar Opus will be serving over the festive season, the team have made a series of videos showing how people can make their very own Bar Opus cocktail at home!  Or at the very least enjoy them in the bar over the Christmas period. 

  Sam Cross Photo courtesy of Bar Opus.

To see the videos, please click on this link underneath the cocktail. 

The five cocktails that bar manager Sam Cross, makes in the series of videos, are:

Smoking Monkey Sharer: £25, serves four: Monkey shoulder, smoked ice tea, cherry, citrus fruits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP_Ga4us_ak

Half Dozen of Egg Sharer: – £12, serves two: Six warm eggnogs with nutmeg dust

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0tsekEhi44

Frozen Candy Cane  Kallipo – £6 for two: Peppermint, Burgal blanco, strawberry, Cranberry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-ubWC9hxmI

  Frozen Kallipo Photo courtesy of Bar Opus.

Candy Cane Cocktail – £5, serves one: Brugal blanco, peppermint, strawberry, cranberry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WDA6qbF3oY

Spiced toffee Apple cocktail – £5, serves one : Stoli salted karamel, gingerbread syrup, apple juice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP_Ga4us_ak

The countdown to Christmas begins. 

Have fun. 

Thanks for reading and hopefully I’ll get the chance to try them myself.

Andy 😊

Click to access BAR-LIST-WINTER-2015-NEW-WINES1.pdf

  

You can purchase cocktail making classes gift cards via the Opus Website. 

http://baropus.co.uk/

Bar Opus is at one SnowHill, Queensway, Birmingham, B4.

Birmingham restaurant director receives prestigious membership at leading hospitality association.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
Birmingham City-centre restaurant, Opus is celebrating another fantastic achievement after one of its directors was awarded the prestigious role of academician at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RAOCA).
Irene Allan director at Opus at Cornwall Street, Cafe Opus at Ikon and Bar Opus at One Snowhill, was presented the outstanding membership earlier this month (November) following a rigorous application and interview process. She is the fourth hospitality professional from the city to take on the role, joining Glynn Purnell from Purnell’s and Luke Tipping and Andreas Antona from Simpsons. 

With an aim of raising the standard of the hospitality industry as well as inspiring the future generation of restaurant professionals through education, training and recognising and rewarding talent, the RAOCA is the UK’s best and leading professional association, whose members include the country’s top head chefs and restaurant managers. To achieve the esteemed role of academician within the association, applicants must first be nominated by three current RAOCA members, before completing an application stating the unique attributions they can bring to the association as well as partaking in an intensive interview.

Through initiatives such as working with the University College Birmingham to offer the ‘Opus Scholarship’ programme, achieving the highest possible accolade from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, and adopting a school to educate pupils of the importance of food knowledge, Irene has demonstrated an exceptional skill set in raising the standards of the catering sector by sharing her wealth of knowledge and skills with the younger generation. She has mentored a number of her staff through to achieving awards of excellence in their careers. 
Irene said: “Opus is having a tremendous year so far, what with celebrating our 10th year in business and recently being named the most sustainable restaurant in the Midlands, so to also achieve the role of academician at the RAOCA is another brilliant achievement for us. From a personal level, I’m thrilled to have been given this added responsibility and with it, I hope to inspire and mentor the next generation, as well as highlight our fantastic industry within the West Midlands” 

For more information on Opus, please visit 
http://www.opusrestaurant.co.uk/

I want to congratulate Irene personally on her wonderful and much deserved achievement and thank her for the support of my blog. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊