#TASTY MORSEL: EDIBLE EASTSIDE A CONTEMPORARY URBAN GARDEN AND ALLOTMENT

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Catering, Food, Independent, Pop up's, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

Edible Eastside in Digbeth, Birmingham is run by Urban Grain Social Enterprise partnership C.I.C is a unique, vibrant and contemporary urban garden covering a quarter of an acre of canal side land. A former gas filling station converted into a pop up garden ‘edible park’ using temporary containers and raised beds.

http://www.edibleeastside.net

Edible Eastside supply businesses and educational institutions a space in the city to master the art of horticulture. They rent out raised beds to local people, city workers, and dwellers to grow produce and to develop their horticlture skills.

Edible Eastside also provide a cookery school and cafe and provide support to community groups who are growing vegetables, herbs, flowers and are interesetd in horticulture.

Edible Eastside also promote urban food production in the city and aim to create a spontaneous landscape and raise the profile of food and urban agriculture in Birmingham.

Edible Eastside also sell produce to restaurants in the city such as vegetarian Bistro 1847 whose development chef Alex visits every week to pick flowers, herbs and garnish for the beautiful vegetarian dishes created every day.

See my previous review on Bistro 1847’s new grazing, sharing exploring menu.

I was fortunate to visit Edible Eastside with Alex of Bistro 1847, and as a keen grower of vegetables (with some success) and lots of un-success 🙂 finding a peaceful and creative space that is like an oasis near the canal amongst factories and creative businesses and is the inspiration behind the beautiful dishes created by Alex.

It was very inspirational and gave me lots of ideas on how to use raised beds and containers and how plants can grow compatabily together in a small urban space.

In September this year Edible Eastside began an exciting partnership with Hotel La Tour nearby in Birmingham City Centre to provide a roof top garden where the restaurant of the hotel, Grill La Tour will grow their own fruit and vegetables for use in their kitchen.

It’s an exciting opportunity to develop a space that can bring the source of the food closer to the kitchen and respond to seasonality and to their guests requests more directly. Good for vegetarians 🙂

Visitors to the hotel will also be able to visit the roof top garden. The garden will be maintained by Hotel La Tour in house. Offering a unique experience to staff who work in the kitchen who will experience a from the ground to the plate philosophy.

Next year Edible Eastside will be merging with Kitchen School http://www.kitchenschool.co.uk to form one organisation offering a range of culinary services and food spaces.

Edible Eastside is a unique social enterprise C.I.C a place to grow, cook, and eat your very own food an asset to any city, but certainly one to Birmingham and its community.

Edible Eastside
122 Fazeley Street,
Digbeth,
B5 5RS

07970 730 646

http://www.facebook.com/edible-eastside

Twitter @edibleeastside

Last three photos taken in Bistro 1847.

8Oct2014

BISTRO 1847: VEGGIE GRAZING, SHARING AND EXPLORING AND PICKING FLOWERS

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Food, Independent, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

Bistro 1847 is a vegetarian restaurant in the Great Western Arcade in Birmingham City Centre near Snow Hill Station.

It is just over a year since it opened its doors in Birmingham after the success of its Manchester bistro. In that time it has taken vegetarian dining to a whole new level in Birmingham. A success with veggies and non veggies alike.

Bistro1847 is named after the year the Vegetarian Society was formed. This year it has been the winner of the best vegetarian restaurant outside London at the Cook Vegetarian Awards.

The emphasis is on creating modern innovative dishes using the finest ingredients sourced from local suppliers. With an emphasis on foraging, dishes are complex and aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

Bistro 1847 also provide a full range of cocktails, spirits, wine and beers.

A couple of weeks ago I was invited by Bistro 1847 Development chef Alex Claridge to visit with him the
Edible Eastside garden and urban allotment on Fazeley Street Digbeth. As a keen gardener this was very exciting for me.

Edible Eastside is where some of the most delicate ingredients that are found on the plate in Bistro 1847 are grown. The flowers, herbs and some of the vegetables come from this beautifully tranquil spot in Birmingham by the canal. This is the place that inspires the food that Alex creates.

The passion show by Alex to the delicate ingredients and to the food that he has created for the restaurant gave me a unique feeling for the dishes I had eaten just three days before.
See pictures to follow.

Alex works tirelessly on new food concepts, flavours and ways to improve dishes even further. It is a lovely partnership between Edible Eastside and Bistro 1847 that works because both the growers and Alex are committed to the best quality and the product. I was lucky to be able to pick my own flowered and herbs and try them in the allotment myself, a real joy in the Birmingham sunshine. Thanks Alex.

The ‘Grazing, Sharing and Exploring’ menu is is a modern approach to dining, allowing you to sample a number of smaller, mezze style plates that are perfect for sharing.

This is the menu Ruth and I chose to sample invited by Bistro 1847.

The dishes we enjoyed in no particular order were:

Tarragon polenta crisp, pickled wild mushroom, goats’ curd, baby aubergine, tahini and petals

Crispy potato & old Winchester dumpling, herbed sauce, toffee apple, mead reduction, caramelised celery & foraged herbs.

Pickled candy beet, spiced honey, & smoked yogurt, salt baked beetroot, rose hip, beet falafel.

Heritage tomato, & preserved lemon, pearl barley, Yorkshire fettle.

Beer-battered Halloumi, seashore herbs, mushy pea emulsion, smoked lemon curd, gin pickled shallots.

Garden Pea mousse, black sesame crisps, broad bean, Yorkshire fettle.

All of the dishes are were excellent, but our favourites were the Pickled candy beet, the Tarragon polenta crisp, the heritage tomato and the crispy potato dishes.

We also sampled two deserts and a chefs pre desert.

Chefs pre desert

Peanut brittle, slow-roast pineapple, Hoxton gin snow, white chocolate creme fraiche.

‘Allotment Aero’

The chefs desert and the Allotment aero were especially good and demonstrated the use of flowers perfectly.

The textures and flavours on each dish were varied and showed a great deal of understanding of the ingredients, and the importance of good sourcing.

The dishes are quirky, adventurous and make you smile and in done cases such as the aero desert reflect childhood memories. The execution of each dish was spot on.

The new menus show a highly innovative and creative touch. The food is more intricate, more advanced in thought and artistic construction than before, its a quiet joy.

Bistro 1847 is a must for veggies, vegans and non veggies alike. It’s changed the way vegetarian food is perceived in Birmingham.

Seasonal, fun, foraged and quirky.

Bistro 1847 Birmingham
26 Great Western Arcade
B2 5 HU

http://www.bistro1847 (for menus)

tasting menu available. See my previous post for more details.

@Bistro1847

Facebook/ Bistro-1847-Birmingham

Has anybody been to Bistro 1847 and tried their new menu? What did you think.

Let me know on the comments page below or via twitter @andydhare or Facebook at Andy Hare or Veggie Foodie.

Disclaimer: we were invited as guests of Bistro 1847 and thus our meal and drinks were complimentary. No review was required. All my opinions are my own and honest as always.

Thanks for reading

Andy 🙂

Edible Eastside

122 Fazeley Street,
Digbeth
Birmingham
B5 5RS

http://www.edibleeastside.net

Edible Eastside Digbeth Birmingham

7Oct2014

#VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN FOOD HERO: CHANGEKITCHEN CIC. AWARD WINNING VEGETARIAN AND VEGAN EVENT CATERING

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Catering, Events, Food, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Pop up's, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

I came accross ChangeKitchen CIC Community Interest company via Twitter when I began my Vegetarian Food blog six months ago.

ChangeKitchen are an award winning vegetarian and vegan catering company and social enterprise based in Birmingham and to me is a real vegetarian and vegan food hero in the city.

http://www.changekitchen.co.uk

ChangeKitchen cater for corporate events, weddings, civil partnerships, and community gatherings and run a monthly pop up cafe.

ChangeKitchen offer innovative vegetarian and vegan menus, using local, organic, and seasonal ingredients. The idea is to provide, create and serve dleicious and healthy, nuritious and ethical dishes that can be shared and enjoyed by all.

A sound philosophy 🙂

Birgit Kehrer is the individual behind the enterprise. She is a passionate vegetarian and entrepreneur who has developed the idea of the business through her love of growing vegetables as a child (see website for her story)

She plays a key hands on role in all that Change Kitchen do. She is the lead cook, trainer, and business manager and currently runs a programme of community workshops and training (See website) and can be contacted on 07828 825 850.

ChangeKitchen are proud to cook for disadvantaged and socailly excluded people and have worked with SIFA (who work with the homeless).

They also provide a 5 a day budget cookery class( see website for details)

Their food philosophy is about sharing a meal. The food is fully vegetarian (always with vegan and gluten-free options) and everyone shares food from the table, bringing people together, celebrating diversity through good healthy dishes and the community. Food from all over the world is served.

Their cafe is now permanently at Stirchley Baths in Stirchley.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/vegiefoodie.com/2016/02/01/vegetarian-change-kitchen-now-serving-at-stirchley-baths-birmingham/amp/?client=safari

ChangeKitchen are a real vegetarian and vegan food hero providing innovative, healthy and nutritious food which supports a healthy life style and healthy community.

Has anyone been to a ChangeKitchen? What did you think?

ChangeKitchen CIC

2-4 Bournville Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham,B30 2JT

http://www.facebook/changekitchen

@changekitchen

Birgit.Kehrer@changekitchen.co.uk

1Oct2014

EPI RESTAURANT: BEAUTIFUL VEGETARIAN DISHES IN BROMSGROVE WORCESTERSHIRE

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

Epi Restaurant is located in Bromsgrove a little outside of Birmingham in Worcestershire.

The Epi concept is one that is innovative. Nathan Eades is an excellent chef, his vegetarian creations were thoughtful and innovative, sublime in texture with no risotto or pasta in sight.

I had heard many excellent reports of Epi. From their pop ups in Kings Heath in Birmingham which were well received, though I didn’t make any of their nights I knew Nathan was a creative sympathetic chef when it came to vegetarian food and had thus kept an eye on his movements.

Epi headed to Bromsgrove and has been open close to a year so I thought it was about time I tasted the Epi concept in the beautiful courtyard in which it resides.

Ruth and I headed to Bromsgrove on a Friday night and found the courtyard to be a beautiful setting for what was to prove to be a fine evening.

The building Epi at the Courtyard is in has delightful period details, low beams and a creaking floor and staircase. It has a lovely atmosphere, with nooks and a small intimate feel that is charming and quaint with a winding stair case that leads to an upstairs restaurant where we sat. There is also a downstairs section too.

Nathan and his wife and business partner Charlie run the restaurant jointly. Charlie looks after front of house and Nathan the kitchen.

Ruth and I chose the 5 course menu. Ruth had the non vegetarian.

The dishes I ate were not off a set menu but created on the night adapting the main menu with the ingredients at hand. This makes for an organic and challenging process that keeps dishes fresh.

We began with some beautiful home made bread.

I began with the Sweetcorn fritters, Sweetcorn relish, celeriac, remoulade, (veggie BBQ)

Well cooked Sweetcorn fritters with a subtle notes of Sweetcorn relish. With a thinly sliced celeriac remoulade offering a bite of mustard. (Celeri remoulade) which gave it a BBQ flavour. A lovely dish.

To follow I had what was called Cauliflower tasting, roasted florets, purée, couscous, tempura, carpaccio.

My favourite dish on the night. Beautiful contrasting textures of cauliflower, perfect for the cauliflower lover. The roasted cauliflower and the purée sitting on a bed of couscous like rice offering contrasting textures. Every texture of cauliflower shone through independently to make a complete dish. Absorbing.

To follow I had the Roast shallots, blue cheese croquettes, onion purée/ash/pickled.

The roast shallots harmonised well with the blue cheese croquettes to create a pickled texture that worked well.

Then came the fennel braised in orange, heritage carrots, watercress purée, roasted millet couscous.

A delicious combination of flavours, a fine main course dish the carrots offering a crunch against the purée of the watercress and the brayed fennel with the subtle sweetness of orange on a bed of millet couscous.

A lovely dish.

For desert Ruth and I had the same dish it was stunning.

The white chocolate mousse, blackberry purée, foraged blackberries macerated in port with pistachio crumble and praline lemon curd.

A complex desert, lavish and decadent. A lush port flavour complimented by the wild blackberry, offering a splash of colour. The mousse creamy and full of lovely chocolate flavour.

The service was friendly throughout without being intrusive.

Nathan is an enthusiastic chef who shows a generous flair for creating superb and memorable vegetarian dishes. Very high end on style and flavours, the textures are sophisticated and worthy of the hard work he puts into his menu and restaurant.

Epi at the courtyard is a lovely restaurant that is as good as many more expensive restaurants in the midlands and for vegetarians it is a dream. Well worth a trip out to.

It cannot be recommended more than that.

Epi at The Courtyard
Satchwells Court
High street
Bromsgrove
Worcestershire
B61 8AQ

http://www.epirestaurant.co.uk
@RestaurantEpi

01527878242

Epirestaurant@hotmail.co.uk

We paid for our own meal. My opinions are my own and honest of the food and the service.

16Sep2014

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 andydhare

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.

7Sep2014

WATSONS BISTRO: CONWY NORTH WALES: SUPERB FOR VEGETARIANS

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Wales by andydhare

Conwy is a special place. I have been visiting the Conwy area of the North Wales coast for over 30 years. The town, the coast and the area of Snowdonia National Park that it adjoins resonates with me, as a poet, And in the silences in between.

From childhood holidays, sandcastles on the beach that stretches almost as far as Anglesey, to the shimmering sunsets in Summer and the haunting light over the sea in Autumn.

My parents have a static caravan near Conwy nestled under the lower Snowdonia hills with a view over the sea.

Conwy is a small fishing town with a famous castle, and a quaint Cornwall like harbour that is big on fish and has its own food festival in October. It’s a charming town and very popular in the Summer months.

Ruth and I visit often and on this occasion we were there to celebrate my Mums birthday.

Watsons Bistro is our go to place in Conwy, as it’s superb for vegetarians. They regularly change their options and they are always creative and use the best market fresh ingredients sourced locally and at their best, bang in season.

All Watsons food is made in the premises from the bread to the ice creams and sorbets. It’s a lovely, cosy and light restaurant that cares about its welcome and the food it serves.

Watsons Bistro is nestled under part of the historic town walls of Conwy and is a delightful and friendly family run restaurant.

As I’ve said what makes Watsons stand out from other restaurants for miles for me is its superb vegetarian dishes. Watsons offer all vegetarian starters as mains and mains can be made up as starters. They also adapt some of the other dishes for vegetarians too.

Watsons is split into two rooms, one larger room and one conservatory area which is lovely in the sunshine or in candle light. This overlooks a small courtyard which is used in the daytime.

One of the first issues is deciding what to order as their are numerous tempting choices.

We were brought initially some home made bread. For my starter I ordered:

The Ragout of seasonal girolle mushrooms, puy lentils, leeks and soya beans in a mini cob with brandy cream.

It was a lovely dish the deep flavoured mushrooms blended with the lentils and brandy cream created a harmonious texture that sitting inside the warm cob made an indulgent starter.

For my main course I ordered:

Ripe oven baked Perl Wen Brie, with a sweet roast potato, celeriac, home made tomato chutney.

I enjoyed this dish, the local Welsh Brie has a lovely mellow flavour that complimented the sweet notes of the roasted sweet potato that sat next to it. The tomato chutney gave the dish a spicy bite that was delicious, and different. I liked the oven baked Brie, as it gave to a really substantial main course.

All main courses are served with seasonal vegetables and potatoes to share amongst the table. So go to Watsons with an appetite:)

For desert I ordered

A hot chocolate fondant with sour cherry ice cream.

The fondant was delicious, gooey, runny, with a deep chocolate flavour one of the best I have had anywhere. The rich chocolate set against the sour cherry flavour of the ice cream showed a good technique and the fondant as executed perfectly.

We were also given a vegan brownie that was delicious as an extra.

Eating at Watsons is a truly memorable experience that sets it apart from many of the other restaurants in the area. For vegetarians it is unique in that the options are varied, creative and interesting rather than the pasta, risotto norm. The portions are of a good size, a proper dinner you may say and of excellent value for the price.

Watsons is an example to the region in its market fresh and seasonal ethos which uses the superb produce that can be found in Wales well and in interesting ways.

I’ve been a number of times and haven’t had the same dish twice. The standards are always high, from the warm friendly service to the presentation and care in the food.

For delicious and seasonal dishes Watsons Bistro in Conwy i think is the leader on the North Wales coast.

Visit Conwy, for the scenery, for the castle, but visit for the food which is as first class as the welcome.

Watsons Bistro
Chapel Street
Conwy
Snowdonia National Park
Ll32 8BP
North Wales

@WatsonsBistro

01492 596326

enquiries@watsonsbistroconwy.co.uk

Disclaimer: we paid for our own meal and all opinions are my own and an honest assessment of the food we ate.

4Sep2014

KINGSHEATH STREET FESTIVAL 7th SEPTEMBER 11AM-8pm YORK ROAD

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Events, Festivals, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

This Sunday 7th September sees The Kings Heath Street Festival hit York Road in Kings Heath. This is from 11am-8pm.

This is organised by Enjoy Kings Heath and is a day long celebration of everything that makes Kings Heath in South Birmingham so unique and it is FREE. 🙂

Joining forces with businesses to bring the community together, with entertainment, outdoor bar area, street food, and market stalls. and a live music stage.

There will be over 25 stalls showcasing their wares and products mostly independent traders.

Foodie options will include an abundance for veggies and vegans,

Such as Veg out Cafe who will have their vegan burger and falafels.

Byzantium will have a full tapas menu inside and out. Including many veggie options.

Loco Lounge will be there.

Cherry Reds will be providing their lovely food too.

The Sun at the Station will be showcasing acoustic acts.

When I hear of more foodie stalls I will let you know.

The event should show case all that is good about Kings Heath.

And it is FREE!

http://www.enjoykingsheath.com

facebook.com/EnjoyKingsHeath

Twitter: @enjoykingsheath

Thanks for reading.

1Sep2014

#COFFEETIME: URBAN COFFEE COMPANY BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, Coffee hour, Coffee Time, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

Drinking Coffee is a past time that I love. Birmingham as you know as a number of very good Independent coffee shops that offer many differing experiences and provide a solace for many different people. One of my favorites, and one that I have been frequenting since it opened is Urban Coffee on Church Street, Birmingham city Centre. Sitting a little away from Birmingham Cathedral and Snow Hill Station Urban Coffee is one of the original coffee pioneeers of independent coffee in the city.

Urban Coffee Company are dedicated to bringing and creating a unique coffee experience. Started by a couple who were tired of the chains and wanted to start an independent coffee shop in Birmingham, they now have three emporiums, one in Church street in the city centre, one in The Jewellery Quarter and one in Harborne.

It was the Church Street emporium I visited on a friday afternoon. When I entered surprisingly it wasn’t very busy, with plenty of tables free. You see Urban Coffee can be very popular, and finding space can be difficult at certain times of the day.

The Church Street Emporium is light and airy and has two levels. The ground is busier usually and more fitting for a quicker visit, with a traditional cafe layout, with stout tables, mixed seating and one long communal table. Upstairs has a more loungy feel, with bean bags and couches, a more leasurely and relaxed space.
I chose on this occasion to sit downstarirs for a change.

I chose to drink a flat white and sample a cappuccino slice. Though it was cup cake friday, the slice tempted me more. The Flat White was good, artistically presented, but certainly not the best i’ve had in Birmingham. It did have a good coffee flavour though and went well with a lovely cake, that I enjoyed. The cakes have always been consistent, and the filter coffee and the cappucino is excellent too:)

Unfortuantely every time I visit they seem to have sold out of handmade Yipsy Macarons, but never mind.

Urban coffee offers a good selection of cakes, pastries, bagels, teas, sandwiches, and has a licence which allows it to serve alcohol such as craft beer, spirits, cocktails and wine. It has a number of events such as live music, poetry readings, cocktail nights and book clubs that happen from time to time. See their website for full diary and food and drinks menu.

They serve bottled beer from 5-7pm when the emporium closes.

Urban Coffee is a great Independent coffee shop, it has a strong free wi fi, and the urbanisters (staff) are friendly, passionate and know their coffee and are happy to assist if you are unable to decide from a long coffee menu.

I like the Church Street emporium, it’s away from the hustle and bustle of the main part of the city and on a street that is a nice one to wander down. (off Colmore Row opposite the Cathedral). Urban Coffee is a coffee shop that is full of people who love coffee and and know of a good product and service.

I would recommend Urban Coffee, and though have not tried their other two emporiums feel that The Church Street venue as the original offers a good mix of airy space that caters for a mixed crowd of people. Though it can be busy.

In many ways, Urban Coffee Company are what makes Birmingham’s Independent coffee scene exciting and something to be proud of. It offers another unique expereince and thus is well recommended for coffee and cake enthusiasts. All veggies welcome 🙂

Urban Coffee Company
30 Church Street,
Off Colmore Row
Colmore Business District
Birmingham
B3 2NP.

http://www.urbancoffee.co.uk
@urbancoffee

For Independent Birmingham card holders Urban offer a free refil on any single estate filter coffee or tea.

Disclaimer: I paid for my own coffee and cake. My review is my own experience and is honest.

Have you been to Urban Coffee? What did you think?

what are you favourite independent coffee shops? Let me know using the comment box below.

Thanks for reading 🙂

26Aug2014

#VEGGIE/VEGAN FOOD HEROES: 100% VEGAN SHOP AND THE WAREHOUSE CAFE

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Catering, Independent, Independent Birmingham, shops, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by andydhare

The second and third veggie/vegan Food Heroes are the
100% Vegan Shop and The Warehouse Cafe in Digbeth Birmingham.

They are both housed in the same building, on Alison Street, Digbeth near the Bull Ring, Selfridges and Moor Street Station.

The 100% Vegan Shop is an independent one stop shop which aims to promote the vegan cause by being a good honest business.

They are passionate about all things vegan, from good honest whole food staples to the little treats that are hard to find. It was started by a couple of vegans who wanted Birmingham to have a good honest business with exciting products, promoting the vegan cause. They are based in The Friends of The Earth Warehouse building in Digbeth.

They stock, vegan alternatives to traditional products, such as cheese, meats, ice cream, dried fruits, flour, nuts, seeds, tofu hand made pasties, pies and gluten free products such as breakfast cereals, and biscuits and cakes. They also sell household products.

For full range see their website:

http://www.100percentvegan.co.uk/our-range

Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian or neither The 100% vegan shop is a lovely independent shop in Birmingham and well worth taking a look at for new and interesting stock.

Open 10-7pm Tuesday-Saturday.

100% Vegan Shop
The Warehouse
54-57 Allison Street
Digbeth
Birmingham
B5 5TH

0121 633 5539
Twitter @100pcvegan

http://www.100percentvegan.co.uk

The Warehouse Cafe is Birmingham’s original Vegetarian restaurant. It’s independent and a must visit for any veggie or vegan or anyone who likes good healthy food.

It is based in the same building as the 100% Vegan Shop in Digbeth Birmingham and has been serving unpretentious food and a good dose of a healthy sense of humour for a many a long year.

Their healthy food is very well regarded in Birmingham, and the environment is cute and has a nice atmosphere.

The Warehouse Cafe is committed to sustainability and its core values. They recycle and use a bicycle courrier (or foot) for the majority of fresh produce that is delivered.

They are piloting a scheme to use local allotment produce gifted by friends and supporters in their resturant.

The menus caters for both vegetarian and vegan, and there are a healthy selection of vegan dishes available:)

For menus see http://www.thewarehousecafe.com

They are open:

Tuesday-Friday 12-3.30pm and 5.30-10pm
Saturday 12-3.30pm and 5.30-10pm
Closed Sunday, Monday and Bank Holidays.

facebook/thewarehousecafe
Twitter: warehousecafeUK

0121 633 0261

The Warehouse Cafe
The Warehouse
54-57 Allison Street
Digbeth
Birmingham
B5 5TH

I plan to visit The Warehouse Cafe soon to eat and do a review.

Do you have a particular favourite? It could be in Birmingham, The Midlands, or beyond. Anyone that should be mentioned, that flies the flag for vegetarians and vegans:) Let me know either in the comment box or via twitter @andydhare.

25Aug2014

PURNELLS RESTAURANT BIRMINGHAM: ‘NOW’ VEGETARIAN TASTING MENU

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

Any visit to Purnells Restaurant in Birmingham City Centre is a real treat, when visiting with a couple of friends even more so.

Purnells Restaurant on Cornwall Street in the Colmore Business District is one of the go to restaurants in Birmingham. Chef Glynn Purnell has stamped his food footprint on this glorious city like a bright shining Michelin star that he has above his door.

Glynn Purnell has represented Birmingham well. He won The Great British Menu in 2008 and then again in 2009, one with a desert, one with fish.

Since it opened in 2007 Purnells Restaurant has always been a chic place to visit, a celebratory place. Well that is how it has been to Ruth and I. We have celebtrated special birthday’s and getting engaged there.

Purnells won a Michelin Star in 2009, its a contemporary space, fine dining without the stuffiness, way more modern and knowing than that.

Being a vegetarian at Purnells Isn’t difficult. As long as they know in advance you will then be treated to some of the best vegetarian dishes that you’ve ever tasted. There is no menu to be found on their website or on their window. That is because the food served is of the ‘now’ seasonal, fresh and adapted from the main menu with what’s available. It’s a fine skill to be able to do this, some chefs are daunted by vegetarians, Glynn Purnell and his team aren’t. Hence the lack of menu. We are a challenge:)

It is always best to mention your dietary needs when booking, and whether vegetarian or I’m sure vegan you will be well catered for.

Purnells is a spacious restaurant, with a large bar area. This is where we began our night with a glass of champagne and some aperitifs with the menu.

The bar area is a comfortable space, designed to help you relax and before being taken into the main event.

The large dining room has seating for couples, small parties and one for a large group.

The menus represent the ‘old’, and ‘new’ or ‘now’ as its called.
This is the menu the four of us dined from. The adverb of which is titled

‘Summer, Sunshine, fun times and sand castles’.

Over the years I’ve eaten some stunning dishes at Purnells. The ‘now’ vegetarian tasting menu is 12 courses long. Each dish is a visual treat that is a feast for the eyes as well as the palate.

The imagination and skill across the menu was only bettered by the textures, flavours and playfulness of the menu.

The dishes are listed in the photograph of the menu. I’m not going to go through each dish individually but mention my favourite dishes on the night. Your menu may be different, dependent on the season and your personal tastes.

The vegetarian ‘Now’ menu is adapted from the non veggie ‘Now’ menu. The last two desert courses were the same on both menus.

1.Lime potatoes in oats and spices duck egg maionaise. Photograph courtesy of the restaurant.

2. Poached egg yolk leek purée, lemon balm Brummie cake.

Refined, delightful wonderfully presented it sets the scene with its eggy notes of flavour.

3. Thus the third course of Beetroot mouse with horseradish, salted beetroot was a fine dish, an ensemble of harmonious flavours and fresh beetroot which floated gentle notes of flavour over the horse radish. A lovely balanced and fresh dish.

4. Provencal morsel. A delicious interlude. Well executed.

5. Next came The pea salad with its fresh flavour of peas, broad beans, that exalted the seasonality of the produce to create a wonderfully hypnotic dish. Fantastic.

6. Remoulade 2012: A palate cleanser, three morsels designed to be eaten in succession in order to increase the flavours of the first. Breathtaking cooking.

7. My favourite dish:) served along with the divine spicy lentils, which have an advanced spicy note that compliments the pickled carrots a harmony of stunning complicated flavours, with superb depth.

8. Main course: tomatoes bursting with flavour, Mediterranean like textures, with the gentle borlotti beans, contrasting with the scorched lettuce and courgette, lovely.

9. Waffle: morsel. Underwhelming dish because of the quality of before.

10. Deserts: Strawberries and violet ice cream.
A delectable simple dish, summery and pretty. Lovely, a take on strawberries and cream.

11. Mint choc chip, a playful take on summer ice cream and chocolate. Pure theatre, with minty notes wafting off from the steam stimulated at the table. Rich chocolate, pure heaven for chocolate lovers, teasing the palate. A lovely desert.

12. Lemon meringue pie: demonstrating Glynn Purnells, nostalgic playfulness. The best lemon meringue I’ve ever had. A truthful report of his culinary vision. Evocative of childhood, a refreshing desert.

Purnells Deserts are playful, all fabulous, always original.

The service throughout the meal was excellent, formal/informal with the right balance between interaction and restraint. The staff at Purnells represent the restaurant well with enthusiasm and knowledge.

A vegetarian meal at Purnells is a cosseting experience. Glynn Purnells technical competence is evident. My food was incentive, seasonal, with superbly executed dishes that struck the right balance of flavour and texture. Delivering on all levels, of indulgence and nostalgic fun.

Purnells shows a keen focus on sourcing on the ‘now’ menu, quality ingredients, evident in the freshness of the menu and the work put into the dishes to make them delightful to the palate.

This star still shines brightly delivering stunning refined vegetarian cuisine. Every course delivers something new, always innovative and thoughtful.

A playful vegetarian treat.

Simply stunning.

Please note, your dishes may not be the same as the ones I enjoyed. Due to seasonality and dietary preferences.
Let then know your desires and enjoy.

The cost of the vegetarian tasting menu is £85 per person.

Ruth and our two friends had the ‘Now’ tasting menu (non Veggie) and said it was superb.

Has anyone else being to Purnells and had athe vegetarian tasting menu? What did you think?

Disclaimer: we paid for our own meal at Purnells. The opinions expressed are my own and are honest and true.

For booking see website:
http://www.purnellsrestaurant.com

Info@purnellsrestaurant.com

Purnells
55 Cornwall Street
Birmingham
B3 2DH

0121 212 9799 option 1

Reservations taken up to 90 days in advance.

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