#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 andydhare

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.

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.

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

Thanks for reading.

Has anyone been to the Coffee Lounge?

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

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 🙂

5Aug2014

#Tastymorsels: recent Independent cafe openings.

Posted in Cake, Coffee, Coffee Time, Independent, Tasty Morsels, Tea Shops by andydhare

Three cafe’s/coffee shops have recently opened.

1. Health County: Is an independent cafe based in Star City, Kiosk 3, 32 Watson Road, Birmingham.

Health County is a new cafe/bar that sells a range of healthy food and drink options. Aiming at people who are on the go, and want a healthy option, but don’t have the time to wait around.

They sell a wide range of healthy meals, drinks, including smoothies, juices, paninis and wraps. They make their own juices and smoothies on the premises, and flavours such as Berry Blast Smoothies, Basil Banana Smooothie and Banana Stawberry smoothie are sold in their cafe.

Health County provide the benefits of fresh, simple and tasty food including many veggie options, such as salads, paninis, wraps and pastas.

They have out door seating, so for those not in a rush, can relax over their healthy fair trade, options. All recipies are below 400 calories, and Health County only use bio-degradable materials which are environmentally friendly.

A good place for veggies:)

Fresh, Healthy, Tasty, Crazy.

For menus see website.

http://www.Healthcounty.net
@healthcountymag
0121 328 0300

2. Under Pressure Espresso is a new independent coffee shop in Sutton Coldfield. It strives to serve up some of the best coffee in the country, promoting knowledge of every stage of the coffee making cycle. In a town of chain coffee shops Under Pressure Espresso is unique that it provides a difference in style and coffee taste.

It has a simple menu of brewed coffee drinks that are made in either pour over style or aero press.

It sound a tremendous place to visit.

23a Birmingham Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1QA

http://www.underpressureespresso.c.uk
facebook.com underpressurebar
@UPespressobar

3. Cafe Viola is an independent coffee shop in Knowle, Solihull that has recently opened.

It sells organic coffee, pastries, cakes, deserts, and has some hot and cold food on its menu.

It also has free wi fi, always a bonus. 🙂

It stocks special herbal teas, and has a mediterranean breakfast which is a mixture of Greek and Turkish foods on its menu.

For lunch it sells paninis, ciabattas, wraps, and salads.

For the area of Knowle it is a must visit, and all independent coffees shops should be supported for the vigour and boost they give to the local community.

It is good to see the rise of the independents.

Cafe Viola
Knowle High Street,
Solihull,
B93 0LT
@cafe_viola
http://www.cafeviola.co.uk

Cafe Viola

4Aug2014

#Coffeetime: Faculty in Piccadilly Arcade Birmingham city centre

Posted in Cake, Coffee, Coffee hour, Coffee Time, Tea Shops by andydhare

Faculty is a small, charming and hip place in picturesque Piccadilly Arcade in Birmingham City Centre off New Street and near to New Street Station.

Faculty is a focused coffee and tea shop serving brewed drinks to have in or to take away, fresh home made cakes, coffee beans and equipment.

It has a simple and quirky decor and signage which allows the quality of the ingredients to shine. They have a small hot drinks menu.

I recommend the coffee. On the two occasions I have been I have had a Cappuccino and on this occasion a Flat White, both excellent.

The Flat White, was superb, smooth, with a good back kick of coffee, with the roasted beans giving it a quality finish.

The cups that it was served in was pretty with a delightfully decorative spoon. Lovely:)

I had it with the Monte Carlo cake, (see picture) which was a kind of viennese whirl with a shortbread topping, which was extremely good.

I’ve also enjoyed a superb chocolate brownie. The cakes are all home made and fresh and change often, the quality of care and the ingredients shine through in the same way as the coffee.

The room is made up of old school desks and seating and has a quirky character that is endearing and makes Faculty different to other coffee shops in the city. It’s that quirkyness that gives it a unique identity and reminds me of some London coffee bars, that are very hip and happening places to be.

The staff and owners Geoff and Lucy are very friendly, welcoming and passionate about their product and are happy to chat to the customer. It is this welcoming attitude which is valuable in attracting repeat customers and making for the unique atmosphere of Faculty.

They also serve tea, though I didn’t try any on this occasion I could see that they encourage you to let the leaves brew correctly, using a timer that they give with the sparkling pots.

For me what makes Faculty one of Birmingham’s best Indie coffee shops is that they really care about the product, how it is made, what kind of beans they use, their suppliers, their cakes and how they look and taste and the welcome.

The space is small, but big on ideas and exceptional in every way.

Suppliers: Square Mile Coffee roasters
Waterloo Tea.

Faculty
Coffee and tea shop
Piccadilly Arcade
Birmingham
B2 4HD

open 8am-6pm Monday-friday
10-5 Saturday
11-4 Sunday

@facultycoffee

@PiccadillyBrum

Disclaimer: I paid for the coffee and cake myself. The views expressed are my own and are honest.

29Jul2014

#TastyMorsels: New tea, cake, breakfast & Tapas

Posted in Afternoon Tea, Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, Coffee Time, Independent, Kings Heath, Tasty Morsels by andydhare

These three tit bits on Tasty Morsels include a bit of everything:)

1. Byzantium Meditteranean Tapas on York Road in Kings Heath have relaunched a tapas menu at lunchtime.

For £6.95 you can order three tapas veggie options are strong and include olives, Mini flatbread, Humous, Patatas Bravas, Spanish Omelette with potatoes, spinich and caramelised onions, and greek salad and Patatas Alioli.

They have also introduced an early bird menu special for £25.00 when you sit between 5.30-6.30pm the meal for two is inclusive of drinks and includes 1 Flatbread, 1 dip, 3 tapas, 1 special, and 2 drinks.

I love the food there and recommend it very strongly for veggie and vegans.

See earlier review.

2. The Boston Tea party group of all day cafe’s have just this week opened in Harborne. They already reside in Central Birmingham on Corporation Street. They specialise in Breakfasts, cakes, tea and coffee serving brunch, and all day and evening food.

Boston Tea Party are a small family owned independent cafe group serving ethically sourced feel good food and drink that is home made and fresh.

They are well known for their ethical stance, and awards for sustainability (recently awarded a 3 star rating) Their food is 100% free range and organic, their milk is too:) and they cater for veggies and vegans well.

Amongst other things They serve Veggie Breakfasts, eggs florentine, pancakes, sweet potato couscous, salads, mushroom burgers, cakes, toasted sandwiches, loose leaf tea in teapots, coffee and everything is home made on the premises. See website for full menu.

The cafe seats 100 guests, and caters for 50 outside in a private courtyard walled garden area. It is in New The School Yard site off the High Street in Harborne.
0121 427 8722
http://www.bostonteaparty.co.uk

3. Cafe Opus in Brindley Place is still offering this Summer its Afternoon Tea deal. At £10 per person, this is a wonderful way to relax over three tiesr of sweet and savoury delights.

Finger sandwiches, fancy cakes, scones with clotted cream, and fresh fruit preserve, and a pot of tea.

On top of this is can be taken weather permitting on a beautiful terrace looking out on peaceful Oozell Square.

Afternoon tea is served daily between 2.30pm-5pm at Cafe Opus at The Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells St, Brindley Place B1 2HS.

Just a note, from my previous review. Cafe Opus is still serving a veggie and vegan supper menu for Meat Free Monday. All produce is market fresh. Every Monday savour all things veggie with a glass of house wine with every main course ordered.

It’s all from local produce as only Opus know how:)

15Jul2014

Brewsmiths: Coffee and tea #Coffeetime

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, Coffee hour, Coffee Time, Independent by andydhare

I’ve been hearing about Brewsmiths for awhile, via social media and Independent Birmingham. So it had to be on my ‘hit list’ to visit for #coffeetime 🙂

Brewsmiths is a little out of the centre of Birmingham, but well worth the short walk to nearby Livery Street, by Snow Hill Station (rear entrance) next to Connolly’s wine shop and near the Peel and Stone bakery. It sits in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter (St Paul’s Square and city side) and is a cosy and quaint looking place that is the epitome of independent in Birmingham.

On walking into Brewsmiths I immediately felt relaxed by its cosy air and wacky cushions, books, and comfy seating. It’s like a home from home kind of place, a very relaxed home with friendly staff and a feel good atmosphere.

Brewsmiths is owned by Andrew McKay who gives the impression that he knows his coffee and his audience well. Brewsmiths make superb coffee. My cappuccino I tried was excellent, well made, smooth, Italian style, with a an excellent coffee blend, deep and well executed.

I didn’t eat any food as I arrived quite late in the day and there wasn’t much choice on offer as far as cakes were concerned, so vowed to return and sample another time. Having though seen the reports, their cakes and all day breakfasts and pastries sound superb.

Brewsmiths is a quaint and homely coffee and tea destination, it has a relaxed vibe, with free wif fi (always a bonus) and an excellent selection on smart boards behind the counter of coffee and tea. They specialise in both, so for tea lovers it is a cool place to go too:)

It has mixed seating. Some comfy seats, some long communal tables, some and many cushions. It seems to be spacious, though it’s small inside, it’s cosy, and feels as I have said like a home to chill in. It plays laid back chilled music, its snug, and wort trying at different times of day to get a different atmosphere. I certainly will.

Brewsmiths plays to a mixed crowd, those on their way to work, those making use of the free wi fi and those out strolling in the lovely Jewellery Quarter.

It has fully stacked bookshelves, that can be read and brought if you wish, (proceeds going to the Big Issue). It’s a place to come back to over and over and is well recomended.

I sure will be, now I’ve found the Brewsmiths brew.

Brewsmiths Coffee and Tea
24 Livery Street,
Birmingham
B3 1EU

hi@brewsmiths.co.uk
http://www.facebook.com/brewsmiths
@brewsmiths_JQ

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

Independent Birmingham IB card holders get 10% off with IB card at Brewsmiths. See website above for details.

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All opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own. I payed for my own drink.

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veggiefoodie

your one stop guide to veggie dining

Category Archives: Coffee Time

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

#COFFEETIME: URBAN COFFEE COMPANY BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE

#Tastymorsels: recent Independent cafe openings.

#Coffeetime: Faculty in Piccadilly Arcade Birmingham city centre

#TastyMorsels: New tea, cake, breakfast & Tapas

Brewsmiths: Coffee and tea #Coffeetime

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