Category Archives: Breakfasts

#CoffeeTime: Maison Mayci in Kings Heath Birmingham

Posted in Afternoon Tea, Bakery, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, Coffee hour, Coffee Time, Food, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Moseley, vegetarian by

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Maison Mayci in Kings Heath is the relaxed, informal and quaint cafe that the French do so well. Here in the south of Birmingham Ruth and I have enjoyed a fair few cakes, coffees and lunches at this fine neighbourhood find.

Located on Poplar Road just off the High Street, it’s a lovely space that offers food rewards in abundance the more you explore the menu.

It’s continental in its approach providing patisserie, rustic fresh breads, pastries, and coffee and cake to suit all tastes and appetites. It caters from brunch through to afternoon, lunches are varied, and delicious with anything from homemade soup, sandwiches, mixed platters, veggie and non, pasta specials and quiches.

It has good veggie options and the mixed veggie platter and quiches are excellent.

Sandwiches are made using their mighty fine freshly made bread and all cakes and pastries are freshly made and well worth a taste.

If you want to immerse yourself in a french flavoured atmosphere and a stylish neighbourhood environment then Maison Mayci is for you. Whether with friends or solo, it’s your call.

It’s also good for families meet ups, or just with a small child as their is a small play area and toys and the menu is child friendly.

Last week I decided to wander in being local for a coffee and cake. It’s. Good spot to read and to work so knowing that it would be quieter in the afternoon after lunch decided to waste no time and double up with a review.

The cafe in Kings Heath is big on atmosphere. It’s rustic, and has a soft warm charm with its wooden tables and chairs and tempting (well in good weather) outdoor courtyard.

The subtle gentle lighting lends itself to calm and the soft chatter of customers is non intrusive though often busy and popular.

On the day of my visit I ordered a cappuccino and cherry and almond tart.

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The cappuccino was well made, creamy, with a good coffee balance. A lovely warming drink.

The Cherry and Almond Tart was very well presented, and had was deliciously flavoured with the almond subtle and the pastry firm but not overworked. A fine tart.

Both together formed a delightful package and with my book the ideal way to spend time on a cold winters afternoon.

All bakes can be taken home and also pre ordered. The tarts and cakes are great when entertaining guests at home and the bread is yummy for brunch on a Sunday at home. Ruth and I are big fans of the bread at Maison Mayci and buy it regularly. The sourdough in particular is beautiful.

What made Maison Mayci a lovely coffee time spot though is the charming service and friendly charm of a cafe that is right on the money for local neighbourhood friendliness and top food options. It ticked many boxes. You can see why it’s popular, it has a touch of France in South Birmingham an escape from the hustle and bustle outside and the coffee is tres Bon. A place to return to again and again.

Un bel endroit (a beautiful place)

Maison Mayci also have a cafe in Moseley village which serves afternoon tea also.

Maison Mayci
8 Poplar road
Birmingham B14 7AG

0121 444 8167

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I purchased my own coffee and cake and all opinions expressed are my own and honest.

Have you been to Maison Mayci in Kings Heath or Moseley? What did you think?

http://www.maisonmayci.co.uk

Twitter: @maisonmayci

Hotel La Tour and La Tour Grill. A modern twist on the classic

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Independent, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Whiskey by

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Late last year Ruth and I booked a staycation in Birmingham at Hotel La Tour via the Secret Escapes website. Worth checking on for good deals.

Hotel La Tour is in Birmingham City Centre, on the Digbeth side and is an excellent spot to stay if in the city to shop or take in Brums sights.

Hotel La Tour is a modern designed hotel that has a chic and quite sophisticated bar called Alvar which is brilliant for cocktails and a brasserie style restaurant called La Tour Grill which leans towards seasonal produce and is a steak specialist and serves a menu of classic British dishes. Presented with a modern twist.

La Tour Grill is also excellent for vegetarians as I surprisingly found out.

The Hotel has 174 stylish bedrooms which are modern in style and facilities, and on the whole are all you would require for a night away in the city or short break. Though our rooms was more basic than some it was comfortable and had all we required.

We had ordered dinner at Grill La Tour. I didn’t expect much to be honest, as a veggie, but I’m a bit cynical sometimes.

We began our evening as we do in a bar. The spacious and sophisticated area know as Alvar is a very relaxing and cool space. We ordered Gin Martinis. A check of quality, perfectly made, classy. It hit the spot.

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The bar area is comfortable with sofas and though quiet for a Friday evening still had a lovely atmosphere and is a must when staying at the hotel. In fact it’s lovely when in Birmingham full stop, with a huge cocktail, wine and drinks list including many many Whiskies 😊

We had booked dinner at La Tour Grill. A lovely space, with perfect lighting, and though large it felt more intimate than on first impressions. A real grower.

La Tour Grill uses seasonal ingredients. Sourced locally with some produce grown on their roof top garden allotment, Jardin La Tour, supported by
Edible Eastside in nearby Digbeth that I’ve championed before on this blog.

The Brasserie caters well for vegetarians with some options on the menu but on discussion with the waitress they had many more unseen and un menued veggie jewels that can be made upon request.

The waitress brought some excellent assorted breads to the table to eat whilst looking at the menu. These were varied, crisp and presented well. Always a good sign if the bread is of high standard.

I decided to order off the main menu.

I began with The Heritage Tomato and Burrata cheese salad. A lovely starter.

The tomatoes were fresh, grown on the roof, had a beautiful flavour and were both yellow an red in colour. Against the Burrata cheese you could imagine you were in Italy it tasted so fresh. The dish was also impressively presented. A simple dish, done well. Sounds easy, but rest assured i’ve had some rotters in my time.

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For my main course I ordered the delicious sounding
Asparagus, Pea, Courgette and Ricotta Risotto.

This dish surprised me with its gentle flavours and perfectly creamy texture. Throughout the dish the flavours of the fresh peas against the slightly charred courgette felt warming and surprisingly indulgent. A lovely risotto, one of the best I’ve had for years anywhere. I was pleasantly surprised. I also ordered some lovely hand cut chips because I have to Im afraid. I love chips. Beatutiful.

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So far so good.

For pudding I chose a dish that I had heard rave reviews about, the pudding to have, the signature dish.

The Jaffa Cake Pudding, candied orange.

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It wasn’t a cake at all, but was the elements that make up one.

The pudding was a joy. The orange served as a little mound of sponge with a candied orange on top and a pot of melted hot chocolate to pour over the top (as much or as little as you like) that was served with pistachio ice cream.

A winning pud. At a winning restaurant, which if I’m honest surprised me. Grills are usually not great for veggies.
La Tour Grill bucked the trend for simple well made dishes using well sourced ingredients, some home produced in their edible garden and a smart, relaxed dining room.

The quality of the ingredients did show through. I think this element made the real difference to the vegetarian dishes which at face value seemed simple but on taste much more complex.

I expected La Tour Grill to be a bit pretentious, but found the service friendly, professional and relaxed. All served as I’ve said in a lovely dining room.

The eating was the pleasure, and though the Brasserie wasn’t anywhere near full, it felt intimate and romantic.

The hotel and restaurant are ideal for dates, a night away, or a romantic drink in an excellent hotel bar. A sophisticated treat. Try it.

We headed back to the bar to sample the Whisky’s and brandy’s. A long list but someone had to do it. We sat next to the piano, no one was playing, but we could hear the gentle music swish through our minds like soothing harmonies.

I’ve also heard rave reviews from fellow bloggers about the afternoon tea. Bring it on.

La Tour Grill has also a chefs table near the kitchen. We had a view of the kitchen without the chefs table service. The table there seemed to be enjoying their experience.

Next morning we took breakfast in the Brasserie- a hot and cold buffet, of numerous breakfast items. The veggie breakfast items were good, though no veggie sausage. Very pleasant, without been overwhelming.

We enjoyed once again lovely service and it was a good way to end our short but very sweet stay.

Hotel La Tour
Albert Street
Birmingham
B5 5JE

A short walk from new street and Moor Street Stations.

0121 718 8000

http://www.hotel-latour.co.uk

Facebook: Hotel/la-tour

Twitter: @hotel_latour

We paid for our stay and meal in full all opinions are my own and honest.

We thank the hotel staff and restaurant staff for helping us to have a lovely one night stay.

@andydhare

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#TastyMorsel: Lounging at The Loungers Cosy Club

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, beer, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Cocktails, Coffee, Coffee Time, Food, Harborne, Kings Heath, Real ale, Tapas, Tasty Morsels, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers, Veggie foodie by

Well it would be rude not to 🙂

One of the finds for me since I started my blog is the casual Loungers cafe bars that offer all day casual eating, drinking and community chilled fun, quirky atmosphere, amd a relaxed vibe whatever the day or night or occasion.

They are extremely popular and what I like about them community driven. My local one in Kings Heath, do fundraising, have book sessions, do charity work, they have a community notice board where people can promote events, local information.

They offer a space for families to dine in a casual way with children’s activities and games, as well as offering an informal drinking and dining scene for evening down time.

Birmingham and Solihull already have four Loungers bars.

<strong>Arco Lounge in Harborne, Loco Lounge in Kings Heath and Desco Lounge in Shirley at the new Park Gate shopping centre. and Verdo Lounge in Wylde Green.

All four offer a similar menu, from Breakfasts, all day brunch, lunches and an evening menu and a changing specials board.

Plus coffee, cocktails, wines, real ale and craft world beers. An all round winner.

They are cosy, quirky, family friendly home from home, and ideal for catching up with friends or an informal date night or as a place to work in or write over a coffee.

The food, i’ve had is excellent, from tapas, to Burgers, to specials, and puds. They are very popular with a cross section of the communities they serve, and are buzzy and lively and always busy, day and night.

For vegetarians and vegans, they offer a comprehensive menu. vegetarian breakfasts, veggie Kedgeree, sandwiches, tapas, veggie burgers, and risotto and Mac and cheese.

They have a full vegan menu which is to be commended and serve vegan wine.

Brunch is served all day, and on Tuesday’s in Kings Heath there is Tapas Tuesday where you can get three tapas and a glass of wine for £9.95.

There is also an extensive gluten free menu, a kids menu and cakes, coffee and puds.

See website for menus: http://www.theloungers.co.uk

For my review of Loco Lounge Kings Heath here

https://vegiefoodie.com/2014/11/26/veggieburgerwatch-loco-lounge-kingsheath/

So it was with a degree of excitement that I read in
The Birmingham Post that the company Loungers are planning to open a cafe bar called The Cosy Club in Birmingham City Centre hopefuuly in the Spring

They have purchased the old historic Midland Bank building on Bennetts Hill opposite The Lost and Found bar and Issacs curry restaurant near the already successful Pure Bar and Fumo.

They plan to offer a similar cosy all day cafe with 30’s sofas, a quirky atmosphere and a similar menu. Expect to see vegan/veggie breakfasts up to 6pm, Mac and cheese with a twist, Veggie Bean Burgers, sharing veggie plates and cheese plates, delicious puds and coffee galore.

Details are still a bit vague, but for Birmingham City Centre it should be a great place to chill with good coffee, and a cocktail and for veggies and vegans it should offer more food choice than many other places in the city do.

What with a new restaurant from Lasan and
The Botanist Bar also to open nearby in the Spring, that part of Birmingham will become even more of a haven for foodies.

It should be retitled the Colmore Foodie district.

Keep an eye on my blog for more details on the all the above over the next few months.

Also, now open is Quinto lounge in Sutton Coldfield which is the 5th lounges bar to open in the West Midlands. This has opened this week on the Birmingham Road.

The Lounges Cafe bars are an excellent all rounder. Give one a try. 😊

Arco Lounge: 147 High Street, Harborne, B17 9NP

Loco Lounge: 32-34 High Street, Kings Heath B14 7ST

Desco Lounge: Park life Shopping centre, Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 3AX

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

@andydhare

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#TastyMorsel: The Eight Foot Grocer opens: A Feast of Veg in the Jewellery Quarter

Posted in Bakery, Breakfasts, Cake, Coffee, Food, Fruit and Veg, Grocers, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter, shops, St Paul's Square, Tasty Morsels, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

If you are a vegetarian and you don’t eat or like fruit or vegetables, then maybe ask what’s the point. Veg are the kings of vegetarian and vegan living. All hail the veg 🙂

So in that respect any news that an Independent food grocer is opening in Birmingham is therefore greeted with the applause and plaudits it deserves.

That’s why I love the idea of The Eight Foot Grocer. i did wonder if the guy who owned it initially was a giant, that eating all those veg like your Mother told you to do had made him grow so much that he had turned into a fairy tale character, old Jack himself.

No in fact, his name is Chris James and his grocers is in the lovely Jewellery Quarter and is housed in a eight foot wide former loading bay near
St Paul’s Square.

Chris has turned a quirky venue into a new fruit and veg store selling exciting deli produce locally sourced where possible and all in a eight foot wide space. The store is in Caroline Street next to the Braderie Vintage shop and opposite The esteemed Bloc Hotel.

The shop is an eclectic mix of local art, and photography, and receives daily fresh bread deliveries from nearby Peel and Stone bakers and stocks such items as jams, marmalades, loaclly made Cufuffle preserves,
Kneals Chocolates, Pip’s Hot Sauce, pastas and olive oil.

It also serves porridge for breakfast, and sandwiches, salads, and cakes for lunch.

It’s a proper shop, independent and local and open from
8am-8pm Monday-Saturday.

The Eight Foot Grocer
13-15 Caroline Street
off St Paul’s Square
Jewellery Quarter
Birmingham
B3 1TR

@The8footgrocer

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#TastyMorsel: New Openings: One Trick Pony Moseley Village

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Moseley, Pubs, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Moseley’s newest bar opened its doors on November 21st. The South Birmingham suburb is awash with newish bars with a healthy leaning to serving good food in revamped buildings.

Hot on the heals of The Dark Horse and The Village
The One Trick Pony Club replaces O’Neils on the Alcester Road, and brings American style diner food to Moseley Village.

It’s owned by small chain Castle Pubs who own the nearby The Fighting cocks Pub and the Junction in Harborne.

The One Trick Pony’s menu is named Ruby Jean’s with an american diner twist and has a very healthy vegetarian list of options including veggie breakfast and burgers and sharing plates. As you would expect in Moseley and nearby Kings Heath, vegetarians are well catered for and along with a varied meat menu looks a brilliant place for groups and couples.

The focus is thus for meat eaters on ribs, hot dogs, and burgers.

For ale enthusiasts their is a keen menu including my favourite Thwaites Wainwright ale, plus local purity brewery beers and Doom Bar. Plus guest ales.

On Tuesday’s every week, they have announced 2 for 1 on Burgers and roasts on Sunday (unsure as yet on veggie option)

From photographs i’ve seen so far the bar looks posher and more sophisticated and modern than O’Neils which was dated and had had its day. Therefore more like The Dark Horse and The Village in design.

The One Trick Pony Club looks food focused and with a chilled decor looks as if it will become a firm favourite in Moseley and the surrounding areas of Birmingham.

The Veggie food options via their menu on their website http://www.onetrickpony.co.uk are:

Snack and Share: A good looking Veggie board for £11.50.

Includes 4 Hippy Sliders, fried halloumi, Tempura vegetables, Nachos, Chipotle Jam, Guacamole and sour cream dips.

Plus Nachos, Chilli Fries, Chips and dips

On the main part of the menu there is:

–Veggie Burgers–

-Hippy Humous-Spinich, lentil, humous
-A Shroomaloomi- Flat Mushrooms and Halloumi burger
-A Hippy Deluxe- Flat Mushroom and Emmental burger

-A veg Mac and Cheese

-Veggie Sandwich- up to 5pm only

-A veggie Breakfast

Which in my book is a good selection 🙂 Food will be served until 10pm.

I’m Looking forward to reading further reports, and sampling some of the veggie options at Ruby Jean’s Diner.

Look out in the new year for this 🙂

http://www.onetrickpony.co.uk

@1trickponyclub

@rubyjeansdiner
http://www.rubyjeansdiner.com

93a Alcester Road
Moseley
Birmingham
B13 8DD
0121 442 3901

has anyone already tried The One Trick Pony Club? What did you think of the food?

Thanks for reading:)

Follow me on Twitter @andydhare

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Bar Opus launch for breakfast, lunch, and after 5pm fun

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Coffee, Food, Gin, Independent, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Bar Opus is the newborn child of the Opus family of restaurants that include Opus on Cornwall Street and Cafe Opus at the Ikon Gallery. Both firm favourites of mine 🙂

This week Ruth and I were kindly invited by Ann and David of Opus to attend one of their pre launch evenings to sample the ‘after 5’ sharing plates and some of the drinks.

Bar Opus is at No’ 1 Snow hill, Birmingham City centre, a new complex behind Snowhill Station. That it resides in such a nice location is a positive for the bar with a clutch of through foot traffic, local businesses and the new Midland Metro tram line nearby when it’s complete.

Bar Opus has an inviting terrace area for those Alfresco lazy summer days and evenings which I can imagine will be a real sun trap and will provide the Birmingham with a continental type atmosphere.

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On arrival we were greeted with two glasses of Champagne and were straight away impressed with the light and modern decor which is a mix of Cafe Opus decor and a continental inspired light openness.

The bar was busy, with a lovely atmosphere. The bar area is split into a long bar, an open kitchen, some seating in the windows around tables for eating on and some bar stools and tables.

Near the bar is an impressive Musee d’Orsay (art gallery in Paris, if you haven’t been go) clock (see photos above) which gives
Bar Opus a real iconic central image that invites the eye. A real symbol of the bar and its continental leanings.

As a vegetarian I have always loved the Opus food, whether the formal Opus restaurant or the laid back cafe in Brindley Place with its fab terrace and Meat Free Monday menu.

The ‘After 5’ sharing plates were what we had come to sample. The premise is that from the open kitchen the chefs will serve up a variety of dishes from £4.50 onto plates where the colour indicates the price. The waiter will at the end count the plates you’ve had and produce your Bill.
The plates include meat, fish and vegetarian a whole plate is £10.50.

Ruth tried the meat and fish options that were handed round and loved the complex flavours and in some cases simplicity of the dishes, they were presented in a delicious looking way.

My vegetarian options were plentiful. The ones that stand out are the confit tomato & mozzarella croquettes, which were delicious, real Italian creamy mozzarella, which complemented a complex and lovely tomato texture. The other I enjoyed was the Daylesford organic cheddar rarebit which was the best cheese on toast ever.

They reminded me of the type of food that you find in Aperitivo hour in Italy which is a very relaxed thing to do with friends and family..try it with a Aperol or Campari Spritz or Negroni.

The food I tried at Bar Opus in conclusion was made with the same high quality ingredients as at the other two venues and I was impressed with the vegetarian selection on all the menus. The all day menu includes four different options which is superb.

To add I also enjoyed a lovely Negroni Cocktail which was well made and probably the best I’ve had in Birmingham.

Bar Opus has a lengthy cocktail list, a good wine menu and also stocks craft beer and their very own Opus lager. A lot of the menu has local gin makers Langley’s on it, the Negroni was made with Langley’s gin.

Bar Opus is a superb addition to Birmingham’s food and bar scene. As an all day venue from breakfast until evening it’s going to be a very popular and exciting place to go.

I can’t wait to visit properly and try out their all day menu and ‘After 5’ options in full.

Bar Opus is a bar redefined.

Thanks to Ann and David for their invites. The food and first two drinks were on the house and our glasses of wine hereafter were paid in full by me. I was not required to write a post for my blog.

All opinions are honest and my own.

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Bar Opus
1 Snowhill piazza
Birmingham
B4 6GH

0121 289 3939

Open from

7am-11pm Monday to Friday
10am-11pm Saturday

@baropus

http://www.baropus.co.uk

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#Coffeetime: Coffee Lounge, Wake up and smell the coffee

Posted in Afternoon Tea, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, Coffee hour, Coffee Time, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Jewellery Quarter, St Paul's Square, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Coffee Lounge is a newish independent coffee shop located on Newhall Street in Birmingham City centre near St Paul’s Square.

It’s tucked a bit out of the way of the main drag of the city centre, but is well worth the walk.

It was in mid week, feeling quite stressed due to moving house that I decided to find some calm and enjoy the soothing harmony ‘s of lower Newhall street and the nearby St Paul’s Square.

On entering Coffee Lounge I found a laid back and contemporary coffee shop that was quite quiet and had the peace and serenity that I required to read and relax.

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Coffee Lounge has a good mix of sofas and table seating and bar stools that should suit all tastes and customers. Though it is apparent that at certain times of the day it caters for the local business sector, it’s was also popular with families and customers eating afternoon tea and stopping off after touring the Jewellery Quarter.

The decor is modern, light with a good purple and white colour scheme that is cosy whilst been spacious. It’s a relaxed space, good for work, good for catching up with friends and good for reading.

It’s not crammed full of tables so it feels a place whereby you don’t feel rushed to leave. You can take your time and relax. Perfect😊

My flat white was good, well made, a good coffee flavour and though not the best in the city it came with a nice biscuit that is quite rare to find generally in coffee houses in Birmingham. Very welcome as I didn’t feel like any cake or sandwiches, well not on this occasion.

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The food on offer last looks good though, from cakes, pastries, sandwiches, afternoon tea, breakfasts such as full English, and burgers, soup and jacket potatoes, it is quite a lengthy list.

Charmain and Daphne are the owners, the service is friendly, and they have created a fun, modern and relaxed place to while away time and in my case chill for awhile.

As an independent coffee shop it’s a nice addition to the growing Birmingham scene, and has a different feel to the ones in the main part of the city.

This is good and I recommend the informality and charm this brings us coffee drinkers.

The Coffee Lounge is a place to return to, and for me to eat in and read or write.

A good detour with a nice vibe.

I used my Independent Birmingham card to obtain 10% off my drink. You can also gain 20% off afternoon tea for two people with the IB card. See website below if you wish to purchase one or two.

Twitter: @cdlounge
http://www.facebook.com/cdlounge

http://www.independent-Birmingham.co.uk

Coffee Lounge,
101 Newhall Street
Brindley House
Birmingham
B3 1LL

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Thanks for reading.

Has anyone been to the Coffee Lounge?

Please feel free to leave a comment underneath or via Twitter @andydhare

#TASTYMORSELS: NEW BAR AND RESTAURANT OPENINGS NOVEMBER 2014

Posted in Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Food, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Tapas, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

There are two new bars/restaurants opening in November 2014. Both of which will be superb for vegetarians and be a classy addition to Birmingham and to Worcester.

The first is Bar Opus from the Opus Team who will be opening their third venue after their Opus Restaurant on Cornwall Street and Cafe Opus in Brindley Place in Birmingham City Centre. Bar Opus will be based in a new Snow Hill complex near the railway station in the Colmore Business District and adjacent to the new Midland Metro line due to open in 2015.

Bar Opus will be open for breakfasts, and lunch, but it is the after 5pm hours where the bar will come into its own. Its inspiration will be Barcelona and Copenhagen, offering shared plates of food created from an open kitchen. There will be good vegetarian options. The ethos will be the same as the other restaurants, well sourced local produce, creatively delivered with a twist. Bar Opus will also have a terrace on the piazza of the new One Snowhill building which should enhance the continental idea, ableit in the Summer months. 🙂 a full wine, cocktail and drinks menu will be available.

It’s a city bar redefined.

Bar Opus is due to open its doors on the 6th November 2014.

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

http://www.baropus.co.uk

The second #TastyMorsel is in nearby Worcester where the fantastic Bodega Cantina will be opening in November. Bodega owned by the Bitter N’ Twisted group already have a very successful and veggie friendly bar/restaurant in Birmingham City Centre which is superb.

Bodega are known for their hand crafted cocktails and delicious food in equal measure, will be offering their authentic South American food-Burritos, nachos, and tacos with a large vegetarian selection. It will be right next door to Foregate Street train Station. They are not taking bookings as yet, but keep an eye on their website, facebook page and twitter page for details, or you can sign up for their mailing list on their website.

Bodega will also be offering their Go Go Burrito take away service.

All being well Bodega will be opening in Worcester at the end of November.

I will keep you posted.

Two great openings:)

@bodegaWorc
@bodegaBirm

http://www.bodegacantina.co.uk/locations/worcester

14 Foregate Street Worcester WR1 1DB (near the train station)
01905 22200

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VEG OUT CAFE: A VEGETARIAN LUNCH IN KINGS HEATH BIRMINGHAM

Posted in Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Kings Heath has numerous good eating options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the vegetarian diner. In fact there are so many options its hard to choose. It is the same for Moseley, but that is for another day 🙂

Veg Out Cafe, sits just off the main High Street on Poplar Road amongst such foodie jewels as Blue Ginger and Maison Maici. It is completely vegetarian and vegan, which is pure joy to myself and many others that love the relaxed, friendly vibe of this enticing cafe.

I had only eaten their once before, see previous review.

The food served is tasty and wholesome and has a simplicity that is endearing and welcome. At lunch time this sits perfectly with Ruth and myself’s requirements, and our appetites. 🙂

We visited on a Saturday lunch time. Veg Out Cafe is a light and smart looking cafe, descorated in pastel colours and with art work adorning the walls, is a bright cheeerful place to spend an hour or so.

It is very community based, people know each other, gather, and chat, its chirpy, service is friendly and welcoming.

We opted to share a small plate of pure corn nachos for a starter. A mixture of tortilla chips, served with corriander, sour cream, tomato chilli salsa, fresh avocado with a lovely smothering of English Chedder cheese. Its an excellent dish, very tasty, with good contrasting flavours with the crunch of the tortilla chips. Delicious. A great plate to share. £5.95 small plate.

To follow I chose the Middle Eastern Falafal. a wrap stuffed with falafal balls, served with humous, red onion, and tomato salsa with a salad, olives, sour cream and mint. I love falafals, and can recommend this dish, its generous in size and with the lovely flavours and textures works well in a wrap. The falafals were well made and for £7.95 good value.

Ruth had the Lebanese Flat Bread which was smothered with goats cheese and topped with griddled mushrooms, garlic and parsley. Ruth thought there was too much goats cheese on the bread and that this overwhelmed the dish, though she said this maybe personal taste, and that is was enjoyable all the same. Cost £7.95.

For lunch Veg Out also offer griddled sandwiches, omelettes, and salads. All the food is freshly prepared and looks excellent from the other tables around us.

In the evening on Friday’s and Saturday’s Veg Out offer a full menu with BYO wine. A good value meal, one for me to try next:) They also offer a brunch/breakfast menu on a Sunday from 10am.

Veg Out also do a full vegan night once a month.

This sounds good.

Keep and eye on facebook and twitter for menus and details.

There are good vegan options on the menu too:)

Veg Out Cafe is a delightful cafe in Kings Heath. For a relaxed lunch, in a bustling buzzy setting it can’t be beaten. The food is lovely, and for any vegetarian or vegan it would be foolish not to visit.

It’s a place to come back too over and over. A place for everyone.

Veg Out Cafe
46 Poplar Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7AG

Twitter.com/CafeVegOut

Facebook.com/CafeVegOut

http://www.enjoykingsheath.com

We paid for our meal in full. All opinions are my own and honest of the experience.

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#TASTY MORSELS: THE HIGHFIELD: NEW GASTRO PUB FOR EDGBASTON BIRMINGHAM OPENING SOON

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Breakfasts, Edgbaston, Gin, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Tasty Morsels, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Independent pub Company Peach are turning an Art Deco style townshouse in Edgbaston, Birmingham B15
into a 17 Century gastro pub. Which will be the first in Birmingham.

Due to open in late September the company run by Lee Cash and Hamish Stoddart will turn the former home of English architect Francis W B Yorke into a 100 cover pub. 🙂

The Highfield will be in leafy Edgbaston, opposite Michelin starred
Simpsons Restuarant and near
The Edgbaston cocktail bar and boutique hotel (see earlier review). Already a healthy foody location Edgbaston also houses The Blue Piano, and the
deli @ Edgbaston.

The Highfield will have a good mix of food for vegetarians from deli plates, to starters, to main courses and will also serve breakfasts from 8am.

From what I can see the menu will include a deli veggie board, Starters– soup, sauteed wild mushrooms, poached free range egg, toasted brioche, Mains– herb pancakes with squash and sage stuffing, and a Heritage tomato Tarte Tatin.

The food will be free range and sourced locally. See their website for details.

http://www.highfieldedgbaston.co.uk

The Highfield is a boost to the local Edgbaston area, which is fast becoming a foodie destiantion and will soon have a new restaurant run by Pushkar on Broad Street too. See post to come shortly.

For vegetarians it looks a good place to go especially if you have a meat eating partner, friends or family. The drinks will include craft beers, real ale and a good strong wine and spirit list including local Langley’s Gin (not sure about cocktails).

It aims to be modern and quirky and have an art deco leaning with a British charm.

I will post more details of an opening date, bookings and menus when I have them and of course a review.

It sounds a charming opening.

For now, see their website http://www.highfieldedgbaston.co.uk for full details, and menus.

The Highfield
22 Highfield Road
Birmingham
B15 3DP

@_TheHighField

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