Category Archives: City Centre

Leon is bound for Grand Central Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Coffee, Coffee Time, Food, vegan, vegetarian, Vegetarian takeaways, Veggie foodie by

  

  

  

  

Now food should taste good, and do you good. 

Well that’s the ethos of Leon the “naturally fast food” restaurant that has been a major success since its Carnaby Street opening, in 2004, will open up a new restaurant in Birmingham New Street Station. 

Leon has further London branches including Ludgate Circus, Spitalfields, The Strand, Regent Street, Cannon Street and Bankside. 

Owner John Vincent sees the Birmingham restaurant as a flagship  site. He founded the restaurant with chef Allegra McEvedy and Henry Dimbleby, the once Governments advisor on school meals. It is named after Mr Vincent’s father. 

The restaurant are most famous for their takeaway boxed meals. 

http://leonrestaurants.co.uk/menu/all-day/

  
For Vegetarians and Vegans Leon has often been cited by those in the know, as been one of our best foodie friends with numerous options on their menu. 

Expect to see Vegetarian and Vegan options such as: 

Hot boxes: Sweet Potato falafel served with Italian brown rice and fresh slaw,  

Lean Gobi-cauliflower and potato curry with rice. (Vegan) 

Wrap: Grilled Halloumi with fresh leaves, pink cabbage, slices of pickle, tomato, parsley and mint and sweet chilli jam. 

Salad: Original superfood- Broccoli, peas, avocado, cucumber, quinoa, feta, parsley and mint, toasted seeds and pot of vinaigrette. 

Vegan Superclean Quinoa Salad, 

Shredded Kale and peanut.

poached egg pots and saucy beans, 

Porridge, cinnamon and banana. 

Sides: 

Leon baked fries. (Vegan) 

Hummous (Vegan) 

Crushed Pea salad (Vegan) 

Click to access 14.PAPER_MENU_2015_SUMMER_MAY.pdf

Leon have also announced some new autumn dishes such as:

Roasted Cauliflower and Courgette salad, and roasted Aubegine pot side.

Plus Better Burgers after 5. 

Veggie is Grilled Halloumi burger. 

  
The award winning food menu looks very tempting and from what I’ve read, the dishes are popular and well liked, so all I have to say is bring it on. 

Leon also serves teas and organic, fair trade coffee daily. 

Leon will be opening at New Street Station in a few weeks time. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

Disclaimer: Photo and images courtesy of Leon. Apart from the first two that are mine, as are the Grand Central photos. 

   
   
  
Grand Central Birmingham/New Street Station. Home of Leon in Birmingham. 

#TastyMorsel: Now open Natural Healthy Foods, Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, City Centre, Food, healthy, Independent, Independent Birmingham, shops, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
  

What was once the 100% Vegan shop has now become Natural Health Food. Still based in Allison Street, Digbeth in the same building as Veggie/Vegan The Warehouse Cafe, it’s expanded its stock and had a complete refurbishment and hence  double quick relaunch. 

Lovers of Vegan, raw, Gluten Free, Organic, dairy free and Vegetarian and healthy plant based food will love it’s packed shelves in Birmingham City Centre. It’s genuinely a one stop source for health and nutrition based goods that are very tempting. 

I visited last week and was impressed with the stock on offer in the shop, which was very varied and catered for Vegans, Gluten Free and Raw food diets as well as vegetarian. 

The staff are friendly, enthusiastic, passionate and had a good knowledge of the products. I spoke with the owners Simon and Susan who were genuinely interested in the products they sold and especially the health benefits of reducing or cutting out sugar from your diet. 

Natural Health Food are in the process of setting up their website which when completed will allow the customer to purchase the products in the shop and more online to be delivered to the home. They are open to suggestions as to what stick they sell and what the customer would find useful and would like to see displayed. 

I found the shop beautiful presented, with real wooden shelves and cases to display the products which I was told was handmade for them locally to the shop, and gave the products an organic feel and look. They looked as if they belonged in the room and were presented in a very clear and ordered fashion. It was very easy to browse and find what you would need. 

What Natural Health Food are attempting to do is encourage a more plant based diet, and fashionably reduce the amount of sugar we eat in our diets by promoting those products as an alternative. 

The products I tried had zero sugar and you couldn’t tell, as the natural sugars gave the kick to the bars that compensated for this. In fact the moisture of the juices came through. 

This was especially true of the Raw Health bars. 

The face of health and vegan stores is changing as more products come to market. I’ve noticed the packaging is brighter, more inviting, more professional. The products are superior and you can feel the benefits and differences when you try them. What the Natural Health Food Shop are doing is embracing that change. This is good news for Bimingham and anyone who cares for what they eat and drink. 

There are plans to introduce make up and more beauty products too. Obviously cruelty free, vegan and organic. They already stock a fine selection of toiletries such as shampoos, shower fells and deodorants etc.

I’m looking forward to returning soon and buying some more and seeing how things are progressing. 

 
   
   
   
    
 
  
    
   
   
    
 

Products sold from, health bars, drinks, chocolate, snacks, gluten free products from pasta, gnocchi, flour, bread. Plus tofu, Ready meals, Fresh soups, toiletries, dairy free products, coconut water, teas and coffee. Plus many more. 

Natural Health Foods is a one stop shop for health and nutrition and being independent is a business well worth supporting and enjoying. 

Allison Street, Birmingham B5 5TH. 

Open: 10-7pm Monday-Saturday 

11-5- Sunday. 

   
 

  

Everyone needs good neighbours: 

Next door to The Warehouse Cafe. Birmingham’s original Vegetarian Restaurant. Pop in for lunch and dinner. In fact combine the two. 

  
Goodies kindly given to me by Natural Healthy Foods to sample. 

In particular the Raw Hemp and Protein Balls made by Raw Health  were delicious: organic fruits bursting with dates and the subtle hint of orange. Using raw organic ingredients, Raw Health soak and sprout the ingredients to bring their natural vitality to life. Using low temperatures to make them in order to keep the health giving nutrients and enzymes alive and well. Very enjoyable. 

   
 
 
The dark chocolate snack bar from Organica, Hazlenut nougat.

I also enjoyed the Coconut Water from Go Coco, which had a lovely sweet tasting and natural flavour. It tasted very refreshing and isn’t from concentrate. Includes 5 essential electrolytes. Won a GreatTaste award in 2012. 

  
 Fresh soup. 

  

   
 
http://www.naturalhealthyfoods.co.uk

@NHfoodsUK

Facebook: Natural healthy foods. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

Disclaimer: I was invited to Natural Health Foods to take some photos after mentioning to them that I was going to put a post on my blog on their opening. They gave me the products to try and pass on my honest feedback on what I thought. All opinions are my own and honest as always. 

Thanks to Simon and Susan for their time and showing me around their shop.

#Tastymorsel: Bring on the revolution: Tapas Revolution set to open up at Grand Central. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Food, Spanish, Tapas, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   
 

   
 
With tapas and small plate sharing dining becoming increasingly popular in Birmingham we welcome another to its growing canon. In this case it’s a small chain with a big reputation in London. 

I love this form of eating, it’s social, and it allows you to sample more dishes and with a hood drink or two it’s s great way to relax after work or on a weekend. For vegetarians in fact it’s usually works well, and allows for seasonal ingredients to be used more vociferously. 

Tapas Revolution, the Spanish-style tapas restaurant group from Omar Allibhoy, is set to open its fourth site in Birmingham this September.

The all-day tapas bar in Grand Central will feature a copper-topped bar, an open kitchen and marble tables, and will serve a changing menu, from breakfast, which will include pastries, Spanish-style coffee and freshly-squeezed Valencia orange juice, to lunch and dinner options such as a paella for £7.95 including a glass of beer, wine or soft drink included. 

For Vegetarians:

Nibbles: pan con alioli, pan con tomate, toasted almonds, olives, 

 Tapas: Try Gazpacho de sandia, Piquillos peppers stuffed moth mushrooms, Paratas Bravas, potato and onion tortilla, red and yellow tomato salad, or fried sweet padron peppers. 

Desserts will include churros (long, thin doughnuts) prepared to order and fried in specialist “churreria” equipment imported from Spain, and then tossed in cinnamon and sugar and served with a hot chocolate dipping sauce.

 The drinks offer will begin with sangria, available between 5pm and 7pm, (on half price) plus Estrella de Galicia beer on tap and a craft beer menu from every corner of Spain, including one brewed with honey and Mediterranean seawater. There will also be a selection of Spanish-brewed gin and wine from all regions of the Iberian peninsula.

There will also be Spanish sandwiches (bocadillos) and coffee available to take away.

First launched in 2010, Tapas Revolution began at Westfield Shopping Centre in White City and now has sites at Bluewater shopping centre in Kent and in London’s Shoreditch.

Allibhoy said: “Tapas is more than food; it’s part of everyday culture. Food and life are always best shared. Tapas Revolution in Grand Central is my version of the lively and bustling tapas bars back home. Birmingham has a great food scene and is increasingly becoming a destination city. I wanted to get involved in the buzz happening here and bring a real taste of Spain to the city centre.”

Life and tapas are best shared. 

You can find Tapas Revolution at Grand Central from Thursday September 24th. 

http://www.tapasrevolution.com/section/45/1/birmingham/557a0749502c604e7953ec5ab02d8693

http://www.tapasrevolution.com/

http://www.grandcentralbirmingham.com/

http://www.tapasrevolution.com/section/8/1/omar-allibhoy-tapas-revolution

@tapasrevbham

tapasrevolutionbirmingham: Facebook

tapasrevolution: Instagram 

   
 
Omar Alibhoy (The Antonio Banderas of cooking according to Gordon Ramsey) riding the bull of Birmingham. 

  
All photos and images courtesy of Tapas Revolution with thanks. 

  
Desert at Tapas Revolution 

  
Photo courtesy of Grand Central. 

   
   

   
   
  
Grand Central Birmingham. 

Review: Veggie Burger Watch: Jekyll and Hyde, Birmingham. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, City Centre, Cocktails, Gin, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers, Veggie foodie by

  

I think you can tell a lot about a pub/restaurant by its veggie burger. Vegetarian burgers can be tricky to make as they sometimes don’t hold their shape and the consistency in the ingredients are imbalanced and hence the flavours and textures don’t quite work. I’m on a quest to find the best veggie burger in Birmingham. Of course I’ll eat them anywhere, but that is where I live so why not. I like a challenge. 

  
The Jekyll and Hyde is one of my favourite pubs in Birmingham City Centre. Owned by independent Bitters n’ Twisted the people behind Birmingham venues Island, The Victoria, Bodega and Marmalade amongst others. Offering a wide range of drinks from G & T to cocktails, to real ales and mocktails. The cocktail menu is inventive and the G&T menu enticing. Plus with it’s Alice and Wonderland like courtyard is great in the Summer months. 

The upstairs bar, Dr Jekyll’s Gin Parlour. All dark wood, decadent drinking and a gin infused eat me drink me fusion menu in the latter part of the week is a bar of moral ill repute. See my review here. 

THE JEKYL AND HYDE: GIN FOOD FUSION MENU IN THE GIN PARLOUR

It has over 90 gins and offers gin flights and cocktail master classes. 

Downstairs, Mr Hyde’s Main Bar is more retro, quirky and Cosy. Turn up one evening for a quick half and you may stay all night. The bar with cask ales, ciders and cocktails is a jewel of design and for raucous shenanigans can’t be beaten. 

It is here that the main food menu is taken. 

   
 The Mr Hyde Burger: Sweet Potato and Home made chick pea falafel with sweet chilli sauce was a very good towering veggie burger. 

The Flavours and textures of the burger were spot on. The hold of the burger was fine, stated firm, but soft. The chick pea falafel blended well with the sweet potato and with the sweetness of the chilli sauce for dipping made for a satisfying dinner.  Where the dish fell down was with my fries which were sadly not so crisp and didn’t have much of a potato flavour.  They weren’t the freshest and let the good quality burger down unfortunately. 

Ruth and I also ordered some onion rings on the side which were pleasantly the real deal and were superb. 

  
The onion rings fully made up for the disappointing chips. 

Yet the burger was a joy and certainly one of the best I’d had in Birmingham with good balanced flavours and was a fitting tribute to Mr Hyde. 

My burger was enjoyed with a pint of hobgoblin Gold and a pint of Sadlers Stout. Both superb beers, with the Gold in particular going well with the burger. 

   
    
   
Eaten in the lovely Jekyll and Hyde pub the veggie burger is to be recommended and taken with keen ales or decadent cocktails makes for a fun quirky evening. 

In fact the pub is unique in Birmingham for its eclectic drinks list and inventive shenanigans. The dark realm of Mr Hyde’s bar is perfect for drinking in the potion of veggieness and the gourmet dining of cold beer, it’s a firm favourite of mine, but please leave out your chips from Dr Jekyll’s microwave. 

http://www.thejekyllandhyde.co.uk/

28 Steelhouse lane, City Centre, Birmingham, B4 6BJ. 

0121-236 0345.

With independent Birmingham membership you receive 20% off food from Monday-Thursday. 

Home

   
   
Disclosure: We paid for our own food and drinks. My opinions are honest and accurate of my experience as always. 

Meat Free Monday’s: The Vegan Grindhouse at The Mockingbird in Digbeth Birmingham. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Craft beer, Digbeth, Events, healthy, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers, Veggie foodie, Veggie foodie brunch breakfasts by

       
 

Monday’s will never be the same if you are a Vegan or Veggie in Birmingham. 

The news is that esteemed and popular Vegan Street food traders The Vegan Grindhouse are taking over The Mockingbird at The Custard Factories kitchen all day on a Monday from August 10th for the rest of this year for a Meat-Free Monday’s special.

  

BIRMINGHAM INDEPENDENT VENUE AND POPULAR VEGAN STREET FOOD COMPANY TEAM UP FOR MEAT FREE MONDAYS STARTING MONDAY 10TH AUGUST.

The teams behind the successful Mockingbird Theatre, Bistro & Bar and Midlands based vegan street-food company The Vegan Grindhouse have collaborated to host a new destination event every Monday in Digbeth, Birmingham.

The event, The Vegan Grindhouse presents Meat Free Monday’s at The Mockingbird which is taking place every Monday from 10th August at Mockinbird Theatre Bistro and Bar, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, B9 4AA. 

The Vegan Grindhouse chefs will be serving up an all-vegan Americana style brunch menu from 11am-2pm, featuring waffles, scrambled tofu, granola, BLT and bagels. 

Then every Monday evening from 5-9pm there will be a new menu featuring food from different regions of the USA, such as burritos, Philly cheesesteaks, meatball marinara subs, mac’n’cheese and all American sides and desserts. There will be gluten free options available on each menu also. 

In addition to the food, Meat Free Mondays will also feature free film screenings in the theatre, music and a range of vegan beers, soft drinks and plant-based milks for coffees and teas.

Lisa Burbidge-Brown, Co-owner of The Vegan Grindhouse said “We are so excited to take on this weekly residency at The Mockingbird. To give people a fully vegan restaurant menu every Monday is a great way to promote the Meat Free Monday message of reducing or eliminating their meat and dairy intake due to health, environmental or ethical reasons and this is a great opportunity for people to try exciting new vegan food and see why going meat free is a viable alternative diet and lifestyle.”

The Vegan Grindhouse by Vegan Vox travels around the wider Midlands area to markets, festivals and street-food events to bring their high-end Americana handmade organic vegan food to a wide range of customers. 

They have traded across the UK including Birmingham, Warwickshire, Blackpool, Manchester, Wales and London since starting the business in April 2014 and have many more events booked throughout this year working with some of the big names in Street Food events.

The Vegan Grindhouse is a small independent all-vegan mobile catering company from the West Midlands, who produce organic, fair trade, cruelty-free tasty vegan Americana street-food and treats.

The Dinner menu will change each week and will be announced prior to the Monday. 

Contact the venue for reservations or just turn up on the day/night. 
So introduce non vegans and veggies to a meat free meal with new dishes not served up by The Vegan Grindhouse on their truck. 

http://www.thevegangrindhouse.co.uk/2015/08/exciting-announcement-meat-free-mondays.html?m=1

The Mockingbird, Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, B9 YAA. 

   
 

  
Dinner menu for The Vegan Grindhouse Meat Free Mondays. 

From street food beginnings to the Mockingbird. Bar, Bistro and Theatre at The Custard Factory. 

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

   

 Anthony Duffy and Craig Essex have just launched their new bar and bistro The Mockingbird at The Custard Factory. 

Previously seen as Big Papas at the Sunflower Lounge, that residency has now finished and a new exciting venture is open. 

At The ‘Mockingbird bar and bistro’ you can expect an exciting fresh seasonal evolving bistro menu with a keen focus on using locally sourced produce. 

Their new head chef has worked in some fantastic kitchens including Purnell’s. 

You may also expect a unique and carefully designed craft beer and cocktail menu, taking influence from small cocktail bars in Harlem, independent spirits, lesser known quality wines and fizz. 

The key objective and focus for the Mockingbird is to push the smaller, independently crafted drinks, championing the local breweries. 

As well as the exciting food and drink (including good vegetarian options) they will be offering a truly unique and eye catching industrial interior married with a relaxing atmosphere. 

As well as the Bar and Bistro, The Mockingbird also offers a 101 seated  cinema and theatre space which offers an intimate, atmospheric experience in live events and unconventional cinema that is unique to the Birmingham region. Plus DJ’s playing some light soul and funk and some very alternative music, live music acts, and comedy.

The Mockingbird provides a unique and diverse programme of events, embracing the city’s cultural diversity and young rising talent. 

The Vegetarian dishes at Big Papas demonstrated to me in their simplicity and eagerness to please an understanding that Vegetarians care too for what’s on their plate, fulfilling the adage that  when their’s a meat eater in a group there is often a veggie too. 

I was impressed then through conversation with the boys their thoughtfulness to please and get their veggie dishes right for the customer, and a keenness to evolve their menu. Thus I’m looking forward to seeing how their new venue develops. 

With the announcement that The Vegan Grindhouse are doing am all day/evening kitchen takeover every Monday until the end of the year, for Meat Free Monday’s there’s going to be a lot for veggies and vegans too like about The Mockingbird. 

I’m going to be at the launch party on the 6th August so look out for further reports and updates soon. 

Andy 😊

   
   

Review: Cafe Opus at Ikon: Birmingham 

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

   
 
Cafe Opus is located in the Brindley Place part of Birmingham City Centre at the acclaimed modern art Ikon Gallery on Delightful Oozells square. 

It’s a stylish, modern British cafe on the ground floor of the Ikon Gallery building with a tempting outdoor terrace that begs for sunny days and nights and is perfect for their informal menu that’s designed to let you eat what you fancy when you fancy it. Serving cafe classics, afternoon tea, fine beers, wines and coffee, at reasonable cafe prices. 

The true taste of Cafe Opus is that they are independent and source their produce locally and ethically, knowing all of their producers, farmers and fishermen. It’s all about utilising fresh produce and allowing the simplest of ingredients to shine through. 

In fact I think the summer months are the best time to visit Cafe Opus. The terrace itself demands it, and the produce, well speaks for itself. 

   
 
Ruth and I have have always loved visiting Cafe Opus on a Summer evening and thus couldn’t resist the recent good weather. We chose a Friday evening partly because Ruth wanted to try out the steak on ‘steak friday’ and because they were running what’s called ‘Come Vinyl With Me’. 

Now, this is where you can bring your own records and be a DJ by serving up three courses of musical delights in 10 minutes. This is strictly vinyl, but is very eclectic music wise and was good fun. At least our dinner was accompanied by a decent soundtrack. 

We didn’t bring any records ourselves on this occasion, but you never know in the future. This is held on the first Friday of the month. 

So there we had it, good music and maybe good food. 

Having visited Cafe Opus before to eat  on many occasions I knew the Vegetarian Dishes were always diverse and thoughtful. So that’s me satisfied too! 

We did sit on the terrace, and ordered a local Langley’s Gin and tonic (1724) for me and a glass of white wine for Ruth. The gin and tonic was lovely, perfect on a summers alfesco night. 

  
   
 It’s the informality of the menu that makes Cafe Opus the ideal Summer venue. The food feels relaxed, continental and I always feel sitting on the terrace whatever time of the day that Birmingham is some far flung city not just home and familiar. 

For that reason I chose The Vegetarian Plate from the all day menu. Comprising of Welsh rarebit, hummus, and toasted pitta, piquillo pepper stuffed with couscous, marinated grilled vegetables. 

   

   
All of the elements were excellent, nothing was out of place. The Piquillo peppers were the stars though, the contrasting flavour of the pepper with the slightly spicy couscous was summer in itself and reminded me of some lovely tapas meals in Spain. The Rarebit, with a good string cheese flavour was excellent too and the marinated vegetables (courgettes, aubergines) delicious. It was a good plate of food, though simple it was a good example of how informal dishes can be uplifting if the ingredients are fresh and well cooked. I also ordered some fat chips which were delightful and went well with the vegetarian plate. 

   
 
Ruth surfice to say loved her steak aged for 28 days to ensure their succulent flavour it appeared to work. She was happy. 

We ordered another 2 glass of wine and a Chapel Down brewery Curious IPA and Lager (from the winery in Kent that makes some delicious wines and some nifty Sparkling brut too). 

The IPA a powerful but hoppy Indian Pale Ale. Very drinkable, very flavourful. Lovely in the sunshine. 

 
  
We were both happy to order puddings too. Ruth ordered a lemon posset, fresh raspberries which was very nice. Fresh, summery and quite light. No picture I’m afraid as she started before I could take one. 

I ordered the Mixed Summer berry pavlova. The combinations of meringue, cream and strawberries and raspberries worked well. Though it was quite creamy in texture it didn’t feel heavy, but was light was a subtle meringue crunch. A well made and enjoyable pudding. 
 

  
Cafe Opus is a lovely spot for a light summery dinner or lunch or afternoon tea. If the weather is fine, the terrace is a super spot to people watch and to take in those sunny Rays. 

The food, been seasonal is of the highest quality, fresh, well made. 

Cafe Opus do the simple things delightfully well. 

The dishes are well cooked, the Vegetarian dishes are thoughtful, not just an add on ( though could do with a few more, maybe specials?) and with the seasonal aspect feels modern and interesting. 

They are more cafe orientated than fine dining, but that simple nature works well. 

 The menus are affordable and the service was good throughout. 

Cafe Opus is well worth a visit for an ethical slice of artistic Birmingham whether after, before or separate from a gallery visit. There’s a lot to like about Cafe Opus. It’s got so much right. 

Now when’s my next visit? 

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

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

   
   
  
Cafe Opus at Ikon, 1 Oozells Square, Brindley Place, Birmingham, B1 2HS. 

0121-248-3226

Meat Free Monday: every Monday at Cafe Opus, daily vegetarian specials. Day time only. 

   

 Afternoon tea 
  
Come Vinyl with me at Cafe Opus. 

You can also receive 2-1 on all breakfast menu items until 12pm (Monday-Friday) or 10% off the bill (all day all week) with the Independent Birmingham card. See link to purchase the IB card. 

http://independent-birmingham.co.uk/

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

We received our food at Cafe Opus complimentary, but paid for our drinks. All of my opinions are my own and my review is honest and without bias as always. I was not required to write a positive review. 


Review: Amantia Spanish and Mediterranean 

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

  
Amantia is a new family run (and family friendly!) independent, Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant right off New Street in Birmingham City centre, taking the ground floor and basement of the iconic Sun House.
This building on Bennetts Hill was the house of the Sun Insurance offices, which were founded in 1710. The name Amantia is the name of some ruins near chef and owner Andrea’s birthplace and also includes the initial of him and Marta’s (owner and front of house’s) children. 

Amantia is a smart place. Inside the space is large, bordering on vast, with a sweet bar area to the right of the entrance as you walk in. Serving pinxos  or Pincho (Basque country small snacks from Northen Spain). Oh the memories of San Sebastián are returning. It is in itself a good spot for after work downtime. 

I digress though. The decor of Amantia, contemporary- purple, grey with black and white prints on the wall, smart, and cooling. 

   
   
Though it could feel impersonal it doesn’t. The atmosphere is good,  quite busy too on a Friday evening and the warmth of the service from Marta and her team is a joy. Marta twinkles with charm and enthusiasm for the food and the adventure she and her husband are on with Amantia. 

Ruth and I were invited by Marta and her sister Silvia (also from Amantia) to taste and review some of the Vegetarian dishes on the menu and some new ones not yet on the menu. For that reason the food came out of the kitchen like tapas (discussed on arrival with Marta) and thus this review will reflect that. I like small plates though, tapas is one of life’s pleasures whether italian in nature, or Spanish (tapas) or pintxos for that matter. 

It is fun to have an element of surprise and not order from a menu. It’s very informal and thus more interesting. 

Ruth and I ordered some Olives and two glasses of Manzanilla Sherry whilst waiting for the tapas. The sherry a refreshing fino from Andalusia, served chilled it’s a perfect aperitif and goes well with tapas like dishes. 

   
 
The dishes we shared ( Ruth was a Vegetarian for the evening) were a selection of  croquetas Amantia, (blue cheese and creamy mushroom)  a Rustica mushroom Crepe, a Greek Salad, Roasted Vegetables and Vegetable Moussaka. 

   

 
Having tried the Blue Cheese Croquetas before I was looking forward to eating them again. They held a lovely creamy blue cheese flavour, a recommended vegetarian tapas. A star dish. 

On the other hand, the Mushroom croquetas were disappointing. Quite bland in flavour, with not a lot of mushroom filling,  the croquetas lacked an intensity of flavour that maybe a porcini mushroom filling could have brought. A shame. 

Oh the contrast The Rustica Crepe with its mushroom centre had a deep intensity of flavour. It wasn’t too cheesy which was a relief and the quantity and quality of the mushroom filling made for a very satisfying and enjoyable crepe and served with a side salad would make a excellent and filling main course offering. Maybe use the intense filling for the mushroom croquetas.  Recommended. 

   
 
The Greek Salad, was also very good and looked very appetising.

  
Lettuce, tomatoes, sliced cucumber, onion, Kalamata Olives, Feta cheese, in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It was well seasoned, with salt and oregano and the splash of olive oil made for a nice ripe and fresh salad. The feta creamy and the flavours bold. A very refreshing contrast to the hot dishes. Lovely. 

Our Roasted Vegetables were also well presented and looked stunningly appetising. I think roast vegetables get a bad press sometimes from vegetarians and vegans, cited as a bit boring, but when the veg are fresh and carrying a good in season flavour there arn’t  many better summertime dishes. It always makes me think of sunshine and hot sun and alfresco dining. (Appologies I was lost in memories of Italy there). 

   
 
The peppers and courgettes were delicious and looked stunning. I also didn’t mind the presentation on a board. It worked with this dish. 

   
 
The final hot dish we tried was the Vegetable Moussaka. I think of all the dishes We tried on the night this was our favourite, we felt we could have eaten more of it, it was that creamy, hearty and warming. The combination of aubergine, and potatoes, and tomatoes worked well and made for a classic Greek dish with a veggie twist. 

It also went well with the Greek Salad. A complete summer main course. 

We washed down our mains with a delicious Spanish White Wine: a Marques de Luna macebo. Amantia has a good wine list and also serves cocktails and Sangria. 

As Ruth and I border on hungryly greedy (or just nosey or easily tempted)  types when it comes to food and the fact that Tiramisu was on the menu we felt we had to try a desert. 

Ruth chose one of her favourites the Churos Con Chocolate  

 
Which she exclaimed was beautiful and one of the best she’d had. I tried a mouthful and it indeed was decadently a top pudding. 

Of course onto my Tiramisu test. 

One of my test dishes Is the above pudding. I’ve had it all over Italy and one in particular in Verona on our honeymoon I remember with salivating affection ( the restaurant had won the world tiramisu award, yes there is such a thing! ). 

Yes, it true I wasn’t disappointed. 

   
 
It looked stunning for a start and had the right quantity of coffee flavour and certainly ‘picked me up’. It was very cool, dreamy and light. It had a classic image and was nicely layered. Delicious, it passed the test and was one of the best I’d tried in Birmingham. 

We also enjoyed an after dinner Liquor    and two double espressos. 

   
 
The Vegetarian dishes at Amantia are excellent. I highly recommend it for veggies in Birmingham.

 I would like to see more in particular in the tapas section of the menu for Vegetarians (tapas and summer go well together) how about a veggie paella? On talking to Marta I know they are rolling out a Vegan menu at some point and are working on new veggie dishes which will be introduced dependent on seasonality of the ingredients. 

Amantia though has many strengths, it’s in a good location just off New Street and has a warming and cooling (at the same time) kind of atmosphere. 

The service is charming and aims to please. It’s friendly and demonstrates that it cares. 

Amantia is a good Authentic place for a lunch whilst shopping in Brum or for a delicious evening meal With a group or  with a partner. It ticks all the foodie boxes. 

Maybe some live music would be nice, some Spanish guitar or flamenco or a pianist would help fill the space. That’s Always good for atmosphere (Maybe live music nights). 

I liked Amantia, it’s a gem in the city and the type of authentic mid price restaurant that Birmingham needs more of. Good Solid cooking without the gimmicks, independent and with a good heart. 

And as Feargal Sharkey sang in 1985 that’s hard to find. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

Thanks to Amantia (Marta and Silvia) for the invite to the restaurant. Our food was complimentary, though we paid for our drinks in full. My review is honest and has my own opinions as always. 

http://www.amantiarestaurant.co.uk/

Amantia, 9 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS. 

0121 643 3647. 

  

Amantia do an after work social from 4-7pm with a free Pintxo with your drink and £2 for all cocktails weekdays. 

It also has a children’s menu for £6.25. For a main, desert and a drink. 

  
Facebook: Amantia restaurant

Twitter: @RestAmantia

  


Birmingham Independents day: Saturday July 4th. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Coffee, Craft beer, Food, Food Festivals, Harborne, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Real ale, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Veggie foodie brunch breakfasts by

On Saturday 4th July, while America celebrates its Independence Day, BrumHour invites you to share #BrumIndependentsDay across social media and support your local businesses. 

If you don’t know #BrumHour and use Twitter then you should make yourself familiar with it. Every Sunday from 8-9pm is Brum Hour where the opportunity is there to shout out your business, blog or whatever takes your fancy, a new shop you’ve found, an event or just a jolly good meal. It’s a very supportive hour, and all the better for it I believe. 

Dave Massey from BrumHour (and I quote) said “I’ve seen businesses across the UK take part in Small Business Saturday in previous years and I wanted to do a version we could do in Birmingham”. Dave works hard to promote the Birmingham scene and has been a massive support to my blog and his posts on his blog are eclectic and interesting. 

https://brumhour.wordpress.com/ 

This Saturday join in using #BrumIndependentsDay on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. 
For me it’s about highlighting great Independent businesses in and around Birmingham and shouting out that they are the cornerstone of all that’s good about Birmingham and what makes this city unique, alive and current. And I believe it’s fun to explore. 

Next week in fact sees pop up kings Two Cats open up their permanent restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter, with some good veggie options. Stay tuned for more. 
Also a new Greek deli called Treat has opened in the Great Western Arcade and seems to be doing a good trade. Expect fresh salads, pies, figs, cheese, and Greek coffee. This joins All Greek Deli on Stephenson Street near New Street station. 

Recently Harborne has welcomed Paradice Gelateria to its indie ranks.   Serving cooling ice cream, waffles, deserts and drinks. 

   
   
A fantastic Flat White at independent coffee shops Yorks Colmore Row and Yorks Bakery Newhall Street. 

   

 

  
Amantia Mediterranean and Spanish  restaurant Birmingham City centre. 

   
 
Vegetarian Veg out Cafe Kings Heath Birmingham

   

   
Vegetarian Sunday lunch at The Plough Harborne. 

   

 
Gas Street Social and its veggie brunch #allyoucaneatbrunch Mailbox Birmingham. 

  

Blue Ginger restaurant Kings Heath. 

   

 
Henry Wong in Harborne

   

   

    
Veggie tapas, courgette salad and Gin Martini at Fletchers Bar in Kings Heath

   

    
 
Veggie breakfast bap, flat white and cappuccino at Grand Central Kitchen opposite New Street Station

   

 
Flat white at Faculty Coffee and tea in Piccadilly Arcade in City Centre. 

   

 
Veggie burger at The Victoria pub on John Bright Street. 

   

 
Coffee or breakfast  at Cherry Reds on John Bright Street City Centre and York Road, Kings Heath 

Of course I can’t mention Independents in Birmingham without mentioning independent Birmingham and the great work that Joe does in the city 

For details of the many independents in Birmingham not just food take a look at their website. 

App coming soon. 😄👍

Home

Also bag yourself an IB Card via their website for discounts at many independent establishments in Birmingham. 

For more great independents check out the Colmore Business District Food Festival on the 4th July in Victoria Square. 

  

See my post for traders and menus. 

http://t.co/FtCNg5Hwr0

Thanks for reading and have fun. 

Andy 😊



#Veggiefoodietakeaway: Deliveroo: Delivers into Birmingham. Dining to your door. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Curry restaurants, Edgbaston, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Moseley, vegetarian, Vegetarian takeaways, Veggie foodie by

Deliveroo is the new delivery service that has recently arrived in Birmingham. 

Deliveroo enables  you order food online from a restaurant (ones that wouldn’t normally deliver), Deliveroo drivers then go and pick it up and deliver it to your door, or desk, or wherever! 

The website (deliveroo.co.uk) enables hungry users to select dishes from their favourite restaurant, pay for them online and have them dropped at their door for a £2.50 charge  by one of the site’s drivers. Whether it’s a work lunch at the office or an evening meal at home, the site aims to deliver the food in just 32 minutes. 

The service, which currently covers Birmingham City Centre, Edgbaston and Moseley/ Kings Heath with plans to quickly expand to other areas in the region, has joined forces with some of the city’s finest restaurants to deliver your favourite dine-in dishes to your table. 44 (frequently added to) venues, many of which are independents, have signed up to the scheme including vegetarian The Warehouse cafe, Deepalis and Veg Out Cafe in Kings Heath. 

Jacob Lourie, regional manager at Deliveroo, has big plans for Birmingham’s take-away scene. He said: “Birmingham has such a vibrant culinary scene and is full of fantastic eateries and restaurants which, until now, you’d have to have visited to experience. So if it’s for a corporate lunch entertaining clients, a dinner party you don’t want to cook for, or just a meal in front of the TV, Deliveroo brings that food to you. 
“We’re helping to grow the takeaway offering in Birmingham, so we’re not limited to just two or three types of cuisine. We’re also launching in new zones in and around the city so more people can get online and have good food delivered directly to them.”

The service has also teamed up with award-winning street food event, Digbeth Dining Club, to offer users the opportunity to order food for delivery from a different street trader each week for the next four weeks.

To place an order using Deliveroo visit http://www.deliveroo.co.uk. 

Participating restaurants by area

Birmingham City Centre

All Greek Deli
Amantia

Annexe

Asha’s

Aunt Sally’s

Big Papas at The Sunflower Lounge

Blue Nile

Bodega

Bun and Bowl

Carluccio’s

Celebrity Indian Restaurant

Chung Ying – Central

Deepalis

eastZeast

Gourmet Burger Kitchen – 

Habaneros Mexican Street Food

Handmade Burger Co – Bullring & Brindleyplace

Itihaas

Jojolapa

Karczma

La Galleria

Rossopomodoro

Shogun Sushi

Syriana

Tap & Spile

The Dirty Cow Burger Co

The Warehouse Cafe

Tiger Bills

Viceroy Tandoori

Wrapchic

Edgbaston

Bangla Lounge

Bengal Delight

Boo Boo Coffee

Casa Italia

Chop & Wok

The Plough Harborne

Moseley/Kings Heath

Cafephilia

Ponte di Legano 

Carib Grill

La Favorita

Piquant

Saba

Sahara Bistro Restaurant

Shabab

Tru Burgers

Veg Out Cafe 

  

https://deliveroo.co.uk/

https://mobile.twitter.com/deliveroo_bham

The delivery concept is a unique one and offers vegetarians numerous excellent dining choices in Birmingham. With many independent restaurants on the list. More are added frequently so keep an eye on Twitter and their website for details and give it a go. 

The days of takeaway pizza at your desk seem to be long gone. Just quality freshly made restaurant quality cuisine. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊