Category Archives: Birmingham

Vegetarian Dish of the Day: Squash velouté, gnocchi, Burnt Leek, Feta Terrine. Bistro 1847. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Independent, Lunch, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Many years ago when I first became a Vegetarian, I was often greeted when I ate out with the words ‘vegetarian dish of the day’. 

This generally meant a mushroom stroganoff, a pasta bake, a veggie curry, or a badly made risotto or pasta dish. Though it sometimes still happens and restaurants sometimes dress it up in another guise, things are much better now. This was often very disheartening. 

This occasional inspired post is a play on that and reflects that bygone era with fondness and celebrates a current dish that is worthy of highlighting. 

   
 

Catch it whilst you can. As restaurants change over from their Spring menu to Summer offerings, it leaves you with only one week to try out this sumptuous dish from Vegetarian restaurant Bistro 1847 in Birmingham. 

Humour, seasonality and an inventive ambition belies the ethos of Bistro 1847. Never has this been more true than in the case of the Squash velouté, gnocchi, Burnt Leek, Feta Terrine. Poached not boiled, ballotined and rolled, the texture of the gnocchi has a lightness akin to soufflé, with a super soothing, velvety,  deep orange sunset flavour of the squash sauce, providing colour, flavour and a gold winning touch. Throw in a burnt leek, adeptly charred with soft decadent feta terrine and you have a beautifully balanced and stunning plate of food. 

Best not to hang around, it’s going, going, gone, try it out this week. 

Find it at Bistro 1847, 26 Great Western Arcade, Colmore Row, Birmingham, B2 5HU. 

   
         The same dish, a different look. From a second visit. I didn’t eat that one, my Dad did and he’s eaten it twice now,  so it must be good!

Bistro 1847 do a lunch time £10 offer for one course and a drink (wine, beer or soft drink) 

A variation of the dish review originally appeared in May during National Vegetarian Week, in the I Choose Birmingham online weekly magazine. I payed for my own food (lunch time) at Bistro 1847 and didn’t receive any payment for the review. I chose the restaurant and dish myself and my opinions are honest and my own as always. 

Thanks to I Choose Birmingham for asking me to contribute to their ‘You choose’ section of their magazine. 

http://ichoosebirmingham.com/ 

to sign up for their weekly email magazine. 

Thanks for reading. 
Andy 😊

Bistro 1847 are launching their Intro to Summer menu on Monday June 22nd with a five course menu in Birmingham with matched wines for £25. 

 Details here http://www.By1847.com 

  

Muy Loco Tacos: #Tacoverthenation #TacoTuesday @ Cherry Reds Kings Heath. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Craft beer, Craftbeer, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Street Food, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

    

  
I’ve come to realise that some of the best Vegetarian food on the planet is the type you can eat with your hands. Why else, do I like Street Food so much! From slices of Pizza in Italy, a veggie burger in a pub or in the sunshine, veggie hot-dogs, so rare to find unless at home. why? Or even, just a piece of cake or bun or scone. These are the foods that veggie dreams are made of- and this is why the Taco Tuesday that Muy Loco Tacos run at Cherry Reds is one of the most fun nights you can have. A match made in heaven, when eaten at cost and intimate Cherry Reds in Kings Heath, my kind of place, my kind of fun. Yes, then paired with sharp cocktails and craft beer what is there not to like. Oh yes I forgot Ruth and I can walk to it! 

So that’s what we did a few weeks ago.

   
 So take my Nutty Spinach falafel taco with #Blackcherry and #Spicychilli sauces. The tacos were finger licking good. The soft but foldable tortilla held the gentle delicate balls of spinach and falafel gentle, but when but into released a delicious flavour of yes summer an paired with the flavourful sauces which lifted the tacos above the ordinary. The sweet, sour, spicy combination helped and complimented the well made double shot Margarita creating a happy combination that made me smile. 

Ruth’s meaty variety also got the thumbs up from her. 

We also ordered some lovely sweet potato fries which were well made and I think necessary at times like this. 

The cost for three tacos (always a veggie option) 2 sides and a drink was £8. 

   
   

So now Muy Loco Tacos are taking a Kings Heath break until Tuesday September 29th.  Only a few months, but back with more cocktails and a bit of a party I would think. Oh, and yes more Tacos. 

See you there. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

We paid for own food and drinks which included a craft beer too. All opinions are my own and honest as always. 

@muylocotacos 

Tacoverthrnation: Facebook. 

http://www.cherryreds.com/index.html

  

Review: Henry Wong, Harborne. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Cantonese, Chinese, Cocktails, Food, Harborne, Independent, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   

 

Birmingham has many good restaurants, and Harborne until recently wasnt a place that I visited much. 

I’m using this as an excuse for not eating until last week at Henry Wong in Harborne. You see this smart Cantonese restaurant has just celebrated its 30th Birthday, yes that’s Pearl for those in the know, that’s a long time in the restaurant trade and yes many years excuses from me. 
Henry Wong has been a mainstay of Harborne life and has forged a reputation for intricately detailed dishes and good customer service, yes they care, this could account for the 30 years, that and the diverse Cantonese menu that caters terrifically for Vegetarians. Alas, my excuses have run out I’m afraid. 

Well, better late than never Ruth and I visited Henry Wong last week and could see in three hours why the restaurant has been a mainstay for so long. 

Initially it wasn’t without issues. We felt a bit hurried to our seats, not offered a drink at the bar and then ignored for quite a long period of time at the table for a drinks order. After the initial remiss service (they did have a large private birthday party on) though  it settled down into a mighty fine night with excellent and attentive service. 

   
 After our order was taken we were given a pre starter type dish of of spinach, and  Edamane Bean (immature soybeans in the pod) to share, I enjoyed the spinach, which had a good soy flavour and was a good introduction to the food. The Edamane beans I wasn’t sure about. 

Yet the flavours of the dishes were the real deal throughout. The quality use of ingredients and sauces to compliment the ingredients were modest in the sense that the flavours didn’t overwhelm the dish. 

Take my starter Asparagus with chilli and garlic, an absolute joyous dish, the delicate asparagus lifted with the balanced flavours of chilli and garlic, 3 simple ingredients a wowser of punch, which didn’t overwhelm the primary ingredient. Fantastic. 

   
 

That trend continued. For the Vegetarian main courses I asked the advice of our waitress who I found out was veggie. She said she would get the chef to make me something. I also chose the Chinese Green Gai Lan with Ginger and Shaoshing wine, which I’d had my eye on which Ruth and I shared. 

  
The above dish was delightful. Crisp, tender, like broccoli, but carrying more taste, slightly drenched with ginger and Shaoshing wine, a large plate, again, simple ingredients made heavenly by the delicate touch of balanced flavours. A signature dish. 

The other dish that I enjoyed was a mixed vegetables, ginger sauce. Subtle, gentle heat, a great combination of vegetables with the enhanced ginger flavour beautifully complimented by some small crispy fried Tofu, which were soft, chewy and melted away when bit Into. Beautiful. 

Alongside that we shared some vegetarian Singapore noodles, and Spring Onion Rice. Both lovely, and both creating a substantial meal with the above main dishes. 

   
         

Though we had enjoyed a large meal we both fancied a desert so we shared a Duo of chocolate and caramelised nut, with vanilla ice cream. A lovely, sweet, well presented dish. Beautiful. 

   
 

We also enjoyed 2 double espresso’s and a sweet but addictive liquor which was named ‘Jammy Dodger’ as it did taste like a biscuit of the same name. Very childhood memory friendly. We surprisingly enjoyed as we are more brandy and whisky types. Thanks for the recommendation. 

We also drank a bottle of El-Coto Rioja. A delicious white wine that complimented the food splendidly. 

   
 

The atmosphere was good in the restaurant throughout. The decor is smart, modern and though quite a large dining room was welcoming, though could do with a couple of large plants maybe. The floor to ceiling windows enhance the light in the room and sitting in the window as we were overlooking the terrace was very relaxing and private too. The room was full of contented diners, chatting and laughing, and there you have the secret to the 30 years. Good service, good food and a fine menu of dishes that begs for repeat visits.

The Vegetarian options are plentiful, lots of choice, made beautifully. Well balanced flavours, fresh ingredients, cooked well, where the spices, sauces and condiments don’t overwhelm the primary ingredient. 

 I’m in no doubt it’s one of the best restaurants for vegetarians in Birmingham. 

Henry Wong also cater for gluten free diners.

For a good night in Harborne Henry Wong is a great choice, especially if you like fine wine, and mingling with friends or been cosy with your partner. 

I can’t wait to go back.

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

http://henrywongharborne.co.uk/

0121 427 7666

Henry Wong, 283 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 9QH. 

Disclaimer: We were invited as guests of Henry Wong, for a fair review purpose.  All food and drinks consumed were complimentary on the night. My opinions in this review are my own and honest as always. 

Many thank to Parm and her front of house team for their kind hospitality and food recommendations. And to Ricky Wu and his team in the kitchen for the food. 

AH

#VeggieFoodieTakeaway: Diwan Balti Moseley and Hungry House. 

Posted in Birmingham, Curry restaurants, Independent, Moseley, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

I was recently contacted by Hungry House http://hungryhouse.co.uk/ who wanted me to taste test one of their top takeaways in Birmingham. 

Hungry House is the Uk’s premier online platform for takeaway and food delivery, with more than 10,000 restaurants on their site. They cover the whole of Birmingham on their site. 

They’ve just released the names of their top takeaways. 

http://hungryhouse.co.uk/top-takeaways/

http://hungryhouse.co.uk/top-takeaways/birmingham/

These are chosen due to their popularity with customers, their consistently positive ratings, their ability to deliver food on time and their high food hygiene rating. Only 500 are chosen. 

I was very pleased that one of the restaurants on the list and one in my location Diwan Balti in Moseley was so highly regarded. Diwan has always been a special restaurant to me as I visited it often when I began my job over 15 years ago. I used to go with colleagues who lived in Moseley Village and we quite often put the world to rights and moaned quite readily about work, and life. Politics wa s often on the agenda, as it so often is and was. Back then Diwan was one of the original balti houses and this was before lasan and Pushkar et al changed the curry scene in my city. It has always specialised in Paneer dishes and has loads of choice for Vegetarians. 

The food was ordered from Diwan via the Hungry House link https://hungryhouse.co.uk/diwan-balti

You place your order, the  website is clear and reliable when inputting what you would like to eat and after completion you receive an email cod ironing that the restaurant have been sent the order and then received the order with an estimated delivery time.

Both Ruth and I shared the vegetarian dishes. 

We ordered: 

Plain Poppadums x 3 @ £1.35

Mixed pickles: @ 70p 

Balti Saag Aloo Paneer (Main) @ £5.35 (Spinach and potato and paneer cheese) 

Balti Aloo Gobi Mushroom (Main) @£5.25 (Cauliflower, potato and mushroom) 

Balti Tarka Daal: (lentils) @ £3.60 side 

Balti Chana (Chickpeas) side @ £3.60

Mushroom Pilau Rice: £2.75

Garlic Naan: £2.15

Chapati: 95p. 

Total = £25.70 plus a card surcharge of 50p  = £26.20

   

  

   
    

Balti saag Aloo paneer and Tarka daal.

            

Balti chana and Balti aloo Gobi mushroom. 

 

Mushroom Pilau rice. 

The food We ordered was excellent. 

The poppudums were crisp, on arrival, quite rare for some takeaway deliveries. The sauces were ok, not great but satisfactory. 

Both the Balti Saag Aloo Paneer and Balti chana were good , nicely spiced, nicely cooked, stayed warm throughout though we did use heaters  which always helps. The combination of the paneer and spinach and potato worked well and the paneer was cooked well and carried a good flavour. I used to have this dish quite frequently and wasn’t disappointed as a takeaway. The Balti chana was also very good, chickpeas always go well with me and are one of my favourites in curries. 

We also enjoyed the lentil daal and the Balti aloo Gobi mushroom. Both were well flavoured, the lentils were creamy and were a very good cooking contrast to the spicier mains. Again the cauliflower and potato is a good combination and worked with the mushrooms. A nice dish. 

The mushroom rice, Naan and Chapati were all very good, and essentials to order. 

As a takeaway curry Diwan Balti is an excellent choice in the Moseley and Kings Heath area via Hungry House. The food was delivered on time, it was well presented and all containers were sealed and secure. There were no complaints. The service via the Hungry House website was fine and with a prompt delivery made for a good Vegetarian Takeaway. It also very good value. I’m sure to order again from Diwan Balti and Hungry House. It brought back happy memories. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

I was invited to write an unbiased review of a takeaway ordered via Hungry House in my local area. All food was paid for via a voucher of £30 which was complimentary from Hungry House. I chose Diwan Balti myself, my review is unbiased and honest as always. 

Diwan Balti 3A/B/C Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8AR. 

0121 442 4920/442 6002. 

  


Pika Pika Pop up: Cherry Reds Kings Heath. 8th June. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Craft beer, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Pop up's, Real ale, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

    

One of the best pop ups to attend In Birmingham for Vegetarians is at intimate Cherry Reds in Kings Heath. 

Pika Pika ( a catering group specialising in home cooked traditional Japanese food) will be in their monthly residence again on Monday 8th June. 

On the menu this month: 

Pika Pika are going to collaborate with Ramen JUNKO. 

  

Not necessarily veggie version of ramen noodle soup😊

According to Pika Pika,  Ramen JUNKO was formed by a Japanese couple based in Birmingham, they produce 100% homemade ramen noodle from the soup base to char shu pork and even handmake their own fresh noodles. 

There are many different styles of ramen noodle soup in Japan, but Pika Pika are going to serve the  Sho-yu Ramen (soya sauce soup base). Sho-yu soup base is one of the most traditional and popular soup bases for ramen in Japan. It is a clear brown broth with plenty of soya sauce added and cooked for at least half day, resulting in a soup that is tangy, salty, and savoury yet still fairly light on the palate. 

Ramen JUNKO has specially worked very hard on the Vegetarian version of Sho-yu soup. It has a very complex flavour clear brown vegetarian broth made with Konbu and mixed vegetable, cooked with soya sauce for a very long time, it is full of Umami.

All the Ramen are served with 100% homemade medium thick noodles, we made our noodles with some special water called Kansui water from Japan, which is the distinguishing ingredient in ramen noodles, it leads the noodles a yellowish hue as well as a firm texture.

What is Ramen JUNKO? 

http://wearepikapika.tumblr.com/post/120448036406/what-is-ramen-junko

Menu For Vegetarians: 

Vegetable Sho-yu Ramen £10
Home made medium thick noodles served in a complex vegetable soup, topped with seasoned boiled egg, bamboo shoots, beansprouts, spring onion, kikurage mushrooms, fried veggies with sesame oil and seaweed.

Additionally you can choose the following small dishes to accompany your Ramen. 

Onigiri £2.50

Rice balls with Nori seaweed and Takuan (Japanese pickle) x 2.

Boiled rice. 

It’s sounds a truly authentic experience, 100% Japanese Ramen Noodles are serving in Kings Heath! 

Reserve your table now, call 0121 441 3155. 

Pika Pika are not serving their ramen as a takeaway this month. 

They start serving from 6pm, little people are welcome. 

   

   

Last month Ruth and I attended the Pika Pika pop up. Cherry Reds is an intimate venue but carries pop ups really well. The space seems made for the low key, intriguing food that Pika Pika provide. 

Ruth and I shared a small dish between us: it had four pieces so was easy to share and made a good appetiser. 

The Vegetarian Makizushi was a Japanese rice roll with sweet potato, egg omelette, spinach, avocado, Takuan (Japanese pickles) and Mayo wrapped in Nori. 

The flavours were subtle, which made for good bite size pieces and had sweet but slightly spicy kick that were delightfully delicious. I could have eaten more. 

For the main course I ate the vegetarian kitsune-Don, 

Donburi means bowl abbreviated as ‘Don’ which is a traditional Japanese rice dish served in a big bowl with topped vegetables, boiled rice. 

The dish was a portion of boiled rice topped with deep fried bean curd and scrambled egg sauce with onion sprinkle, finely sliced spring onion and served with Takuan and spaghetti salad. 

It was a lovely dish, again a good spicy punch but without the hit of a fire. The flavours of egg, and the fried bean curd made for a contrasting textures and I enjoyed the spaghetti salad which gave it an extra dimension a lovely vegetarian dish. 

Pika Pika provide thoughtful vegetarian variations on the main menu. Beautifully made and washed down with the delightful Cherry reds craft beer selection it makes for a good value evening in a delightfully friendly and relaxed space. It’s like home from home with the best Japanese food. 

There were also 3 other vegetarian small dishes, so offering plenty of choice on the night. 

Pika Pika are at Cherry Reds in Kings Heath on the second Monday of the month from 6pm. 

   
     

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

We paid for our own meal. My opinions are honest as always, I wasn’t requested to write any post I just wanted to. 

For my previous review of Pika Pika from 2014 see here: 

Pika Pika Pop up @Cherry Reds Kings Heath

@wearepikapika 

#Tastymorsels: Bar Opus and Opus latest.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Tasty Morsels, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Three nice pieces to share about two of Birmingham’s finest Independent restaurants and two of the best places for Vegetarians to eat in the city, 

Bar Opus based in the heart of Birmingham’s bustling Colmore Business District has appointed Carl Hawkins as its new general manager. 

Born and raised in Birmingham, Carl has over 15 years’ experience as a ‘liquid chef’ working with some of Birmingham’s finest cocktail destinations. With a vast amount of experience in the bar industry, Carl was eager to join the Opus family and help catapult Bar Opus into the forefront of the Birmingham food and drink scene.   

Carl previously worked for The Jekyll & Hyde pub where, under his leadership, it became a national finalist for “Best Spirit Pub” in 2013 and “Best Cocktail Menu” by Class Magazine in 2011. Carl is also one of the founders of the Birmingham Association of Bartenders and has been committed to cultivating the next generation of bartenders for over a decade. 

Speaking of his appointment, Carl said: “I am excited to become a part of, what I consider, a legacy project. I believe that Bar Opus will become a Birmingham institution and will be here for many years to come. We will be bringing a contemporary technique to cocktail making that will keep customers coming back. Bar Opus will exceed expectations of what a cocktail bar in Birmingham should be and we will redefine the cocktail and dining experience” 

 Irene Allan, director at Opus, said: “Carl is creative and passionate about enhancing the bar experience. We are thrilled to have his expertise to help establish Bar Opus as one of Birmingham’s premier bars. Carl knows the ins and outs of the Birmingham bar scene and his leadership and skills will be essential to the bar’s success.” 

Bar Opus is the sixth-month old bar addition to the Opus family, boasting a contemporary and modern landscape that will cement it as a city staple. Keeping with the Opus ethos, Bar Opus develops innovative food and cocktail menus, uses the freshest produce from the company’s range of British and strictly sustainable suppliers and engages with British spirit suppliers to create its inspiring cocktails.   
 

Birmingham waitress achieves prestigious hospitality award: 

 A talented waitress at city-centre restaurant Opus at Cornwall Street, Gabriella Murea has achieved the celebrated Service Award at this year’s Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence.

The final, which took place on Saturday 16th May at Le Gavroche, London, saw Gabriella and 15 other finalists from some of the country’s finest restaurants and hotels serve a three course meal to two guests. As part of the service, Gabriella had to set up the table, decant and describe the wine, and fillet a dover sole in front of the diners. The awards, which have a high-profile judging panel, received an unprecedented number of entries and are designed to encourage young people within hospitality to achieve the highest possible standards in their profession.

Gabriella, 26, has worked at Opus for just over six months whilst studying hospitality and events management at University College Birmingham (UCB) and was the only finalist from the Midlands to be shortlisted for the award. Speaking about her achievement, she said: “I’m so happy to have passed and got my award. I prepared as much as I could for each stage of the process and it has really paid off. The standard was very high and I am delighted that the judges saw the quality of work that I can produce and felt it worthy of the award.”
Irene Allan, restaurant director at Opus restaurant, said: “This is such a fantastic achievement for Gabriella. She is an absolute perfectionist and always delivers superb service, so to have this award as recognition of that is a huge accomplishment. Pawel, our restaurant manager, has been an inspiring mentor for Gabriella and has supported all her hard work. We are committed to developing both our front of house and kitchen teams and encourage them to go for awards like this. Everyone at Opus is immensely proud of her and we’re privileged to have her working with us.”

This follows on from Opus at Cornwall Street promoting head chef Ben Ternent to Executive chef to replace David Colcombe who helped launch Opus a decade ago and had run its kitchens. 

He will manage a team of eleven chefs and three kitchen porters at the groups three venues- Opus at Cornwall Street, Bar Opus and Cafe Opus at the Ikon Gallery in Brindley Place. He will help to develop menus and buy produce from the companies range of local and sustainable suppliers and continue to cook. 

We wish him well, and hope that standards will be maintained. 

  
I can’t wait to see what he and his team cook up in the future, as vegetarian dishes are always worth tasting at Opus. 

Thanks for reading 
Andy 😊

Bistro 1847 kickstarts its crowdfunding: New Vegetarian  beginnings. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Independent, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

    

Vegetarian 1847 is planning to open this autumn in Liverpool and are looking for support through their Kickstarter campaign. 

http://uk.resdiary.com/go.aspx?id_message=14918&id_prov=5124&id_subscriber=65357853&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dmcYLP2zcMnw%26feature%3dyoutu.be

Bistro 1847 is also crowdfunding to: 

. Open 1847 Liverpool

. Extend their current sites in Manchester and Birmingham and include their pantry table items to be eaten in the office or at home. 

.  Launch their cookery school, allowing their employees the space to develop their skills, plus open it to the public as a cookery school for those wishing to learn about fresh and foraged ingredients. 

Bistro 1847 launched in Manchester in February 2011 and then in Birmingham in 2013. 

Through fundraising these ambitions may be realised. As banks unfortunately are reluctant to back small companies in these expansion ventures. 

Take a look below for more details:

http://uk.resdiary.com/go.aspx?id_message=14918&id_prov=5124&id_subscriber=65357853&url=https%3a%2f%2fwww.kickstarter.com%2fprojects%2f1699484970%2flets-bring-1847-to-liverpool

Recently myself and Ruth were invited to the launch night of their Kickstarter campaign in Birmingham and were treated to a delicious 7 course meal by the team, and had the opportunity to meet and discuss the God with new Head Chef Tony Cridland. 

I’m not going to review every dish but suffice to say we both loved the dishes and particularly a shout out to the 

starter: 63 degree poached egg, chargrilled asparagus and salted baby turnip. 

   

 And the main: ratatouille, red pepper jus, burnt aubergine purée, polenta hash brown, chard red onion, confit tomato.

   

 

We also enjoyed a pre starter: 

Pea purée, basil jam, grapefruit in pastry case and sea salt

Pickled mushroom, chargrilled cucumber

Beetroot soup, coconut creme, with dark chocolate 

   

 

Pre Dessert: poppy seed, banana custard, peach rhubarb, micro coriander. 

  

Dessert:

Apricot and thyme jam, tofu almond creme, sugar, cubed coated strawberries. 

   

 

The combinations of ‘foraged, grown and brewed’ ingredients is what makes Bistro 1847 unique and a pioneer in new Vegetarian food.

Bistro 1847 have also introduced a pantry table, for takeaway and eating in at lunchtime as well as the main A La Carte menu. 

Look out for a full review soon on Veggie Foodie of their Spring menu. 

For full details of investment opportunities see here: 

http://uk.resdiary.com/go.aspx?id_message=14973&id_prov=5124&id_subscriber=65713519&url=http%3a%2f%2fow.ly%2fMpXeB

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

I was invited to the launch of the 1847 Kickstarter campaign, All food and drinks were complimentary, but I have not been paid to write this blog, I just support Vegetarian food ideals and restaurants. 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bistro-1847-Birmingham/208341145981255?

http://by1847.com/

   
   

  

  

Gayani’s Kitchen: Sri Lankan Vegetarian Delights, Supper Club 12th June 2015. 

Posted in Birmingham, Catering, Events, Supper Clubs, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

If like me you’ve not been to a Supper Club before, due to the lack of Vegetarian dishes on offer, then fear not as Gayani’s Kitchen is providing a Vegetarian Supper Club on Friday 12th June. Gayani cooks Sri Lankan food and from the comfort of her home you can enjoy this little found  (in Birmingham anyway) cuisine. 

Sri Lankan food has its influences in Colonial powers, foreign traders, and the Kerala region of India. The island has a history as a spice producer so dishes reflect that. 

Gayani cooks mostly indigineous vegetarian dishes. The foreign influenced food has mostly meat and fish in it. 

Tickets are priced at £20 per person and can be booked via her website: 

Here:

http://gayanisgoldustkitchen.com/supper%20clubs.html

http://gayanisgoldustkitchen.com/index.html

Gayani also provides cookery workshops for £20 pp for groups of 4  or more. 

Gayani also has her own curry powder called Gold Dust that can be ordered via her website. 

http://www.gayanisgolddustkitchen.com

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

@Gayani2Gayani

   

Banana blossoms curry

  

Lentils, and coconut salad, green beans

  

Beetroot curry, lentils, curry bean baddum, and spicy green Mallum. 

  

Mix veg mild curry, cooked in coconut milk.

  

Green mango curry

  

Cassava with coconut sambol.

 

Gotukola herb, snake beans curry. Banan blossoms Badum and coconut Sambal and rice.

  
Mushroom curry. 

All photos courtesy of Gayani’s Kitchen. With thanks. 

National Vegetarian Week 18th-24th May 2015.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
This week, the 18th-24th May is National Vegetarian Week. 

National Vegetarian week 2015 is organised by the Vegetarian Society and sponsored by ‘Nothing But’. This year the theme is all about sharing and enjoying delicious veggie food with your friends, family, colleagues, neighbours, and community. It’s a great way to connect with those around you and explore tasty meat-free food together. 

Vegetarian food is vibrant, exciting and flavourful. Whether using the freshest ingredients, from the supermarket, farmers market, or from your garden, or eating out, good meat free food is getting easier to find and is great to cook. Meat-free food benefits the environment, animals and yes your health and well being. 

Some Restaurants and individuals are all doing their bit to promote and celebrate the week. 

In the UK a national pizza tour is taking place. The Vegetarian Society is visiting seven cities (but not Birmingham) creating and delivering pizzas to share.  So watch pizza being  made, and help choose the toppings. 

For the seven locations see below: 

http://www.nationalvegetarianweek.org/
Or 

  
To find out more about the week and how you can get involved see the below link for National Vegetarian Week. 

http://www.nationalvegetarianweek.org/
In Birmingham, try out vegetarian restaurants Warehouse Cafe, Bistro 1847, Veg Out Cafe, Deepalis, Jyoti, or Mr Singh’s, or try a veggie dish on any menu for a change. 

In Sutton Coldfield Moor Hall Hotel and Spa ‘Veges out’ for National Vegetarian Week. 

Moor Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield is inviting customers to join in a delicious and fun celebration of vegetarian food as part of National Vegetarian Week, which runs from 18th – 24th May. 

Now in its 23rd year, National Vegetarian Week is organised by the Vegetarian Society to promote delicious and inspirational vegetarian food.

There are always plenty of choices for vegetarians at Moor Hall’s restaurants and whether you have been a vegetarian for some time or you would like to try a meat free meal, the hotel is well worth a visit during the week as there is 20% off all vegetarian dishes from the Oak Room and Terrace & Bar menus. The dishes on offer include starters such as warm walnut encrusted goats’ cheese with baby leaves and main courses such as pea, mint & feta risotto or warmed halloumi cheese with lime, pine nuts and a tomato fondue.

Head Chef, Charlotte Foster commented “National Vegetarian Week is a fantastic opportunity to try going meat-free for a change. At Moor Hall we take great pride in producing a variety of creative and tasty vegetarian dishes that meat eaters will enjoy too, so we hope our special offer will encourage more customers to give our vegetarian dishes a try.”


National Vegetarian Week 2015 is organised by the Vegetarian Society. 

Monday 18th is also Meat Free Monday, and Cafe Opus at the Ikon Gallery have a meat free Monday menu every week. 

Also The Plough in Harborne have a weekly specials board of Vegetarian dishes. 

   

  

 https://theploughharborne.co.uk/ 

https://www.vegsoc.org/

https://www.vegsoc.org/wmidsgroups

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

The information on Moor Hall Hotel is courtesy of Moor Hall Hotel and their PR department I was not required to write about their contribution to this week but chose to. 

http://www.moorhallhotel.co.uk/