Category Archives: Colmore business district

Bar Opus Christmas cocktail making videos. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, City Centre, Cocktails, Colmore business district, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian by

  

  
Bar Opus is one of the best places to drink cocktails in Birmingham. Classic cocktails are served along side some innovative concoctions using the freshest ingredients. 

To countdown to Christmas, and to celebrate the unique Christmas cocktails that Bar Opus will be serving over the festive season, the team have made a series of videos showing how people can make their very own Bar Opus cocktail at home!  Or at the very least enjoy them in the bar over the Christmas period. 

  Sam Cross Photo courtesy of Bar Opus.

To see the videos, please click on this link underneath the cocktail. 

The five cocktails that bar manager Sam Cross, makes in the series of videos, are:

Smoking Monkey Sharer: £25, serves four: Monkey shoulder, smoked ice tea, cherry, citrus fruits.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP_Ga4us_ak

Half Dozen of Egg Sharer: – £12, serves two: Six warm eggnogs with nutmeg dust

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0tsekEhi44

Frozen Candy Cane  Kallipo – £6 for two: Peppermint, Burgal blanco, strawberry, Cranberry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-ubWC9hxmI

  Frozen Kallipo Photo courtesy of Bar Opus.

Candy Cane Cocktail – £5, serves one: Brugal blanco, peppermint, strawberry, cranberry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WDA6qbF3oY

Spiced toffee Apple cocktail – £5, serves one : Stoli salted karamel, gingerbread syrup, apple juice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZP_Ga4us_ak

The countdown to Christmas begins. 

Have fun. 

Thanks for reading and hopefully I’ll get the chance to try them myself.

Andy 😊

Click to access BAR-LIST-WINTER-2015-NEW-WINES1.pdf

  

You can purchase cocktail making classes gift cards via the Opus Website. 

http://baropus.co.uk/

Bar Opus is at one SnowHill, Queensway, Birmingham, B4.

Birmingham restaurant director receives prestigious membership at leading hospitality association.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
Birmingham City-centre restaurant, Opus is celebrating another fantastic achievement after one of its directors was awarded the prestigious role of academician at the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts (RAOCA).
Irene Allan director at Opus at Cornwall Street, Cafe Opus at Ikon and Bar Opus at One Snowhill, was presented the outstanding membership earlier this month (November) following a rigorous application and interview process. She is the fourth hospitality professional from the city to take on the role, joining Glynn Purnell from Purnell’s and Luke Tipping and Andreas Antona from Simpsons. 

With an aim of raising the standard of the hospitality industry as well as inspiring the future generation of restaurant professionals through education, training and recognising and rewarding talent, the RAOCA is the UK’s best and leading professional association, whose members include the country’s top head chefs and restaurant managers. To achieve the esteemed role of academician within the association, applicants must first be nominated by three current RAOCA members, before completing an application stating the unique attributions they can bring to the association as well as partaking in an intensive interview.

Through initiatives such as working with the University College Birmingham to offer the ‘Opus Scholarship’ programme, achieving the highest possible accolade from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, and adopting a school to educate pupils of the importance of food knowledge, Irene has demonstrated an exceptional skill set in raising the standards of the catering sector by sharing her wealth of knowledge and skills with the younger generation. She has mentored a number of her staff through to achieving awards of excellence in their careers. 
Irene said: “Opus is having a tremendous year so far, what with celebrating our 10th year in business and recently being named the most sustainable restaurant in the Midlands, so to also achieve the role of academician at the RAOCA is another brilliant achievement for us. From a personal level, I’m thrilled to have been given this added responsibility and with it, I hope to inspire and mentor the next generation, as well as highlight our fantastic industry within the West Midlands” 

For more information on Opus, please visit 
http://www.opusrestaurant.co.uk/

I want to congratulate Irene personally on her wonderful and much deserved achievement and thank her for the support of my blog. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Opus leads the way on sustainability. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Farm producers, Fruit and Veg, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  Opus has been named the most sustainable independent restaurant group in the Midlands by leading organisation, the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA).  

The restaurant family, which includes Opus at Cornwall Street, Cafe Opus at Ikon and Bar Opus at One SnowHill  was named a ‘Three Star Sustainability Champion’ by the SRA, the most prestigious and highest possible rating a restaurant can achieve, and it is the only independent restaurant group in Birmingham to achieve the accolade. From achieving its highest rating yet of 82%, the restaurant group is now in the top 9% of SRA members.

The SRA, a not-for-profit organisation which encourages restaurants to improve its social and environmental impact, awards One, Two or Three Stars depending on how a restaurant rates against the three pillars of sustainability – ‘Society’, ‘Sourcing’ and ‘Environment’. 

Opus achieved exceptional results, ranging from 90% – 100%, for sourcing local, seasonal and ethical food, through a sustainable supply chain, for being highly committed to community engagement, responsible marketing and treating people fairly. 

Fuelled by a passion for fresh British produce, Opus is fully committed to an ethical approach to sourcing. The  menus are ingredient led and at its Cornwall Street restaurant, they are freshly-written each day. 

Through its unique ‘Source Dinner’ series, Opus connects the diner with its family of farmers and suppliers, allowing them to hear their compelling stories and see first-hand the passion they put into raising their quality produce. 

Lucianne Allen, sales and marketing director at award-winning butchers Aubrey Allen, said: “Opus is a pleasure to work with as they are genuine and passionate about their commitment to ethical and sustainable purchasing”

Executive chef, Ben Ternent, has handled the sourcing of produce since April 2015 and it is his uncompromising stance on only using strictly market fresh, seasonal ingredients and free-range livestock that has made Opus the most sustainable it has ever been. 

“Frankly, it’s all about the ingredients that you start with. There is a definitely a direct connection between ethical, quality sourcing and the delicious flavours on the plate. My team love the sourcing side and get fired up by meeting the farmers and visiting the farms – they take real pride in the produce,” Ben said.

Sarah Hepburn, sustainability champion at Opus, said: “Supporting sustainable, British food is so important to the Opus family – from sourcing fruit and vegetables from Worcestershire to fresh fish from Brixham Market – we only buy seasonal, ethical ingredients. Receiving this recognition from the SRA is a fantastic achievement and is a testament to our team’s passion and commitment.” 

This outstanding rating from the SRA is not the first success for the Opus group this year. 2015 has seen Opus at Cornwall Street celebrate its 10th birthday, going from strength to strength even through a difficult recession, Cafe Opus at Ikon was recently named a ‘local gem’ by The Good Food Guide 2016 and Bar Opus at One Snowhill continues to push boundaries with innovative and award-winning cocktails. 

For more information on the Opus restaurant group, please visit:

http://www.opusfamily.co.uk/

My Review of this years Vegetarian Source Dinner:

http://t.co/WkopBcpQ9P

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

   
   
Sustainable vegetables from Worcester Produce: Opus Source Vegetarian Dinner. 

Review: Treat Greek Deli in The Great Western Arcade, Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Greek Delis, Independent, Lunch, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   
 

The Great Western Arcade in Birmingham City Centre is one of the loveliest arcades to browse and pick up independent shop treats. 

Greek Food in the city has been up to recently been in my opinion not the go to food for vegetarians, with many Greek restaurants been generally uninspiring and meat heavy. The most recent opening in the Great Western Arcade is a small Greek Deli called Treat. 

Treat Deli sits at the Snow Hill Station Side of the arcade and offers high quality and home made pies, pasties, salads, healthy smoothies jams, preserves, olives and Greek Coffee-Hot and cold. 

As well as this cakes, olive oils, and herbs, coffee, and tea are on display to take away or eat in its small (with a small seating section) cosy inside. 

It brings together food from different regions of Greece all in one place. 

Run by a Father-Daughter team (George and Angeliki Xiarchou) I was invited by them to sample their vegetarian offerings. 

  

Tables outside Treat Deli.

  
  

What struck me about Treat Deli is how proud and how enthusiastic Angeliki is, and that passion runs through the family and is reflected in the baked goods on offer. The food is beautifully displayed with clear labelling and looks incredibly tempting and inviting. I’m a sucker for pies, pasties and anything baked. It’s a comfort thing I think. 

For vegetarians there are numerous cheesy pie options, plus a fennel pie, pumpkin pie, a tiropita, (cheese pie), a leek roll and a mixed vegetable pie (Skopolos) which is divine. Also the pre packed salads including a delicious Greek salad are available if pastry is not your thing. 

    
    
    

I tried their feta cheese skopelos which was lovely. Creamy feta with delecate herbs stuffed into a golden and well made pastry. Filling, tasty and would make a lovely lunch to take away or eat inside. 

Traditional food is what Treat deli specialise in, bringing the sunny tastes of holidays to the grey pavements of Birmingham. 

I also sampled the mixed Vegetable Skopolos which I enjoyed so much that I went in again the following week to buy some for dinner and share with Ruth. We both loved it, full of vegetables in a water crust pastry, beautifully flavoured. A divine accompaniment to potatoes at home or to take away. 

What also struck me was the size of the pies which are generously big. Which is good by me. 

I also tried a Baklava, which was delicious too. The Baklava which is also claimed by Greece as well as Turkey was a rich, sweet filo pastry with chop nuts and a honey filled flavour. Syrupy sweet, very nice, recommended.

Other sweet treats are available. 

   
  Pies and baklava 

  Baklava from Treat Deli

 

Skopolos mixed vegetable pie. 

  

At Treat Deli I also tried the Freddo (cold) cappuccino. If was beautifully refreshing and went superbly with the pastry. 

  Inside stool seating at Treat Deli. 

    Better than over the arcade. 

  Olive oils 

  Salads at Treat Deli. 

 Herbs at Treat Deli. 

   
    
 

Treat Deli is a relaxed place. Ideal for those working or passing through the Business district around Colmore Row. It’s a lovely place to take a break in, and amongst a few standout shops in the Great Western Arcade its another Gem on the independent foodie trail in Birmingham City Centre. 
It feels authentic. It’s a taster of the delights of their homeland and is made, presented and sold with passion and great care. 

For Vegetarians, who fancy a savoury munch or who want to remember sunnier days on holiday its an ideal stop off its ideal and proves that you can get a good vegetarian pie in Birmingham. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

Thanks to Angeliqi and Demos for their time, hospitality and enthusiasm. You have a fan. 

I was invited down to Treat Deli to sample and give feedback on some of their vegetarian food complimentary. My opinions are honest as always. I was not required to write a review. 

Keep an eye out for their traditional Christmas goodies. 

Treat Deli, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham. 

Open Monday-Friday 7am-6pm

Saturday 9am-6pm.