Category Archives: Independent Birmingham

#Veggieburgerwatch: The Victoria, Birmingham. 

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

The Victoria, is a theatre pub, on John Bright Street in Birmingham City Centre and if legend has it, has its own ghost. Dating back to the 19th Century it’s stood the test of time and has loads of character, and offers a considerable drinks selection from cocktails to hand picked wines and cask ales. 

The other week I was invited by Vicky from Bitters N’ Twisted who own The Victoria to attend a burger tasting to help launch their 2 burgers for £10 deal which is available on a Monday evening every week. 

As a vegetarian and a keen veggie burger fan this was a cool opportunity to revisit one of my favourite burgers of the last year. See previous review below. 

http://wp.me/p4zXPc-8c

Though in this case the veggie burger had changed. Could it be better? 

   

   

   

 

The Vegetarian burger  is called Can’t be beat and consists of salted courgette, beetroot, carrot, rolled oat patty with lettuce, tomato, sliced avocado, and Humous, served  in a buttermilk bun, handcut chips, and cirrus set slaw. 

The Animal friendly burger was lovely the flavours of the beetroot, courgette came strongly through with the patty setting the mixture into a top veggie burger. With a good bun holding it all together. 

With the added refreshing addition of the Humous and the avocado which was sat on the burger , it felt more luxurious than the usual Halloumi style burger veggies seem to get quite often. 

The added coriander slaw was delicious and had a good coriander flavour and again was different to the norm. 

As a burger the can’t be beat was a lovely vegetarian burger and with a good crispy handcut chip made for a satisfying meal which in its 2 for £10! format is a bargain. You can add triple cooked chips to your order for £1 extra. 

   

 

Ruth also enjoyed the veggie burger and felt it was an improvement on the previous recipe. 

I also enjoyed a pint of Purity longhorn which complimented the burger well.  

           

The two burgers for £10 deal on a Monday evening is excellent value and The Victoria is a pub with a lot of character and atmosphere. The Veggie Burger was well made and with a good bun kept its shape well and with some interesting flavours was an improvement on the one I previously reviewed. 

Thanks to Vicky, And the Victoria for inviting me to the burger tasting evening.  The burgers were complimentary though all drinks were paid for by ourselves. All opinions are my own and honest as always. 

It was also good to see and chat to Joe from independent Birmingham who seemed to enjoy his meat burgers too.   

The Victoria is on the IB card. All independent Birmingham card holders receive 20% off food all week. 

The Victoria also offer 2 pizzas for £12 on a Tuesday evening: #2fortuesday with a delicious sounding squash the goat veggie pizza. Which I’m looking forward to trying. 

Plus 20% off on a Wednesday for Bitters N’ Twisted loyalty card holders. 

The Victoria, 48 John Bright Street, Birmingham B1 1BN. Next door to The Alexandra Theatre

0121 633 9439

http://www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk/

@thevictoria: Twitter

Facebook: TheVictoriaBirmingham

  

   

 Veggie burger at The Victoria. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

   

 

Review: Bodega Cantina and Bar-Birmingham Latin American cuisine with cocktails. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Craft beer, Food, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Lunch deals, Tapas, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

  

Bodega is a South and Latin American bar/Cantina on Bennetts Hill in Birmingham City Centre just off New Street, and owned by Bitters N’ Twisted. 

It offers a wide selection of tapas style dishes, street food, Burritos, Tacos and a number of larger traditional plates. It also has a completely Vegan menu and excellent vegetarian options. 

Bodega is a fun-time and colourful place, the cocktails flow, the food comes out fast and service is pacy. It’s a brilliant place to indulge with friends,  for parties and for sharing a work or shopping lunch. It’s also open on Sunday for that downtime and Sunday smooch with the city. 

   

 

For Ruth and I it was a Friday night dinner, not the Channel 4 comedy kind, but the cocktail/tapas/Streetfood kind. 

On the Friday we visited Bodega was busy, bustling, and vibrant as I would think it is most Friday evenings, and with a cocktail list that speaks of fun and good times and a wallet full of money Bodga is an education on excellence and high standards with its drinks list. From Tequilas to Rum based drinks the list will cater for everyone. 

Bodega has a small bar area near the entrance by the window, so if you feel the need you don’t even have to eat. The decor is fun too. Iron cast furniture, quirky cactus murals, vibrant colours. Cafe style seating is mingled with funny stools, and with its exposed light bulbs and brightly coloured murals Bodega sells spicy and flavour, with an atmosphere that’s a real contrast from the glum rainy English weather in March outside. 

The food, from Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Cuba, is freshly made and easy going and full of variety for vegetarians and vegans. 

   

   Find Pips Hot Sauce at Bodega

Ruth and I ordered cocktails to begin. Two Margarita’s. They were excellent, and always a good choice at Bodega. A classic, well made with a good strong tequila flavour, with salt on the rim.  

   I also ordered a Caipirinha, which is Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaca, sugar and lime. It was very refreshing and had a sweetness that was complimentary to the spicy food. Another top cocktail. Ruth ordered another margarita.

Bodega also offer bottled beers, non alcoholic cocktails and a good wine list. 

Plus a happy hour from. 5-7pm on cocktails. 

  

For the food we chose to stick with the smaller sharing plates, the streetfood as we’ve found them to be the best from previous visits. And sharing is fun and social. 

Ruth ordered for herself a pulled Pork Burrito which she enjoyed. 

I ordered a vegetarian burrito- from the streetfood section of the menu, roasted vegetables, black beans, and cilantro lime rice. The Burrito had a good spicy flavour ( I ordered hot) with the tortilla holding the filling well, and the depth of the veg with the spicy salsa packing a zing which was lovely. 

   

   

The rest of the food we shared. 

We shared small house nachos (vegetarian variety) crisp well seasoned flour tortillas, topped with some lovely mozzarella chedder and sour cream and punchy salsa and guacamole. Very impressive nachos crisp, with good flavours. Recommended.

   

 

To accompany the Burrito We chose from the light bites part of the menu: 

Batatas fritas: delicious sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo, crisp and with a good flavour. 

Frijoles: Black beans cooked until velvety, with a good garlic flavour with roasted cumin seeds and s subtle hint of chilli and sour cream. Though not pretty to look at it was a good complimentary dish to the Burrito. 

Spicy Slaw: a nice fresh homemade slaw with a South American Twist. 

I also recommend the jalopos peppers from previous visits. 

   

     

One of the dishes Ruth and I enjoy the most at Bodega is the Churros desert. We had to order two, we loved the rich caramel sauce  against the warm doughnuts. A Mexican favourite,  and also ours. Perfect for dipping or with coffee. We orders two espressos. 

  

The food we are was plentiful, it had a good spicy flavour and did what it says on the tin. It’s fun, vibrant and good for sharing. 

Where we found Bodega to suffer is with the service which we felt was inconsistent, hurried and though attentive it felt underwhelming and it had a care free nature about it. Some of the servers were friendly others we felt were  not bothered. We felt that they could have explained the menu to us checking we understood the quite complex but good layout. Advising how many sharing dishes you should choose between two. Our waiter who asked for our order was a bit gruff to be honest and unhelpful. 

In saying that the food and the cocktails are the real deal and as a pop in kind of place Bodega can’t be beaten for fun and very decent South American dishes. 

For Vegetarians and Vegans it’s one of the best places to visit in Birmingham and well recommended. 

Bodega Birmingham, 12 Bennett’s Hill, B2 5RS

0121 448 4267

http://bodegacantina.co.uk/

http://bodegacantina.co.uk/food/menus/

@BodegaBirm

You can also get 20% off with the Independent Birmingham card. Offer is on Monday-Thursday 3-6pm and all day on Sunday.

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

We paid for our own meal and all opinions are honest as always. 

It’s advisable to reserve a table at Bodega at busy times to avoid disappointment. 

  

Nomad pop up: Nature, memory, place in Kings Heath Birmingham. Vegetarian Menu preview. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Food, healthy, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Pop up's, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by



  

  

‘I want to cook food that excites me. Nomad is a collection of ideas, focusing on memory, place and nature. I want to explore these things through cooking’ 

So says  chef Alex Claridge formally of Vegetarian Bistro 1847 and The Warehouse Cafe and from experience of Alex’s cooking and dishes it promises to be a superb residency for vegetarian food lovers. 

Alex Claridge Chef Owner   

 

Head Chef Brian Smith

Nomad is the name of the new pop up restaurant that is opening on April 3rd at The Kitchen Garden Cafe on York Road in Kings Heath, Birmingham. 

Alex brings his innovative take on food, offering innovative, creative and foraged ingredients and food for a 3 Month residency begining in April. 

Nomad will be open on Friday and Saturday evenings and some Thursday’s at the Same venue that has housed pop ups previously from Epi Restaurant and Blue Rabbit. 

Nomad is expected to move to other locations around Birmingham with a City Centre residency planned for June. 

With Nomad he is expected to ‘explore ideas and thoughts about nature, place, memory  and British Cuisine. 

Alex is an innovative chef who creates dishes that explore ingredients that are foraged, seasonal and unique in the UK. This with a view to create a sensory and progressive veggie foodie menu that is a challenge to the palate and mind. 

Diners can initially experience two fixed tasting menus of 5 courses and 9 courses for £32 and £45 respectively. Short and long. 

The Vegetarian menu is: 

April £45 long: 

Reindeer Moss, egg, mushroom, coffee,

Cauliflower and Pine cream, fermented watercress, seared hearts, 

Pickled Mushrooms, Japanese, rose, aged kelp, 

Cox Apple, 

Fresh ricotta in ashes

Grilled Broccoli, duck egg, hay, milk

Hogs weed, grilled carrot cake, purple carrot, Manouri, buttermilk, wild carrot. 

Ewes milk, pickled bilberries, 

White chocolate, caramel, seaweed popcorn

April: £32: Short

moss, egg,  coffee. 

Pickled mushroom, dulse, sunflower seed, Japanese Rose

Fresh ricotta, in ashes, wild garlic

carrot cake, purple carrot, Manouri, buttermilk, wild carrot. 

Goats milk, pickled billberries. 

Cauliflower, Pine, Sorrel, Wild Watercress (three photos)  

           

Dishes above: 

Fresh Ricotta in Ashes, Wild Garlic (first two) and Reindeer Moss, egg yolk, mushrooms (Second two). 

On booking mention that you are a vegetarian to guarantee the menu and ingredients. Please note due to the creative process of Nomad and the seasonality of ingredients the menu you have may not be the same as above. 

Reindeer Moss, egg yolk, mushrooms   

 

Other menus will include meat and fish options and menus are available via the website. 

 Nomad is now taking bookings for April, and May. 

Please visit the website for bookings. 

http://t.co/CFUtHjePuF

http://www.foodbynomad.com/

@nomadbirmingham 

Nomad should offer a delightful evening of indulgence, ideas and exploration of the senses. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊





Kitchen Garden Cafe Kings Heath 

All photos given to me by Alex to use on this post, apart from the ones of Kitchen Garden Cafe which are my own and not so good. 😊

Thanks Alex. 

Nomad, Kitchen Garden Cafe, york road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14. 



Spring Food Pop Ups: Take Over series: April at The Hare and Hounds Kings Heath. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Events, Food, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Japanese food, Pop up's, Pubs, Real ale, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

 

The Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath, Birmingham this April is opening up its kitchen for their latest instalment of its pop up food takeover series. 

It sees Pika Pika, The Indian Rasoi, The Vegan Grindhouse and The Flying Cows all serve up a specially created 3 course set menu in the back bar each Thursday throughout the month. 

First up will be Pika Pika on the 9th April who specialise in Oriental fusion home cooking and have recently completed pop ups at near by Cherry Reds in Kings Heath that I had the pleasure of trying last year. 

There will be a Vegetarian menu available. But specify when booking. 

Starters will be a mixed starter platter and a Maki Sushi Roll vegetarian with dumpling edamame

Main course: Nasu Katsu curry- a traditional Japanese curry with onion, carrot, potato topped with breadcrumbs and deep fried aubergine slices filled with Karashi (Japanese mustard) served with boiled rice and salad

For desert a Matcha cake served with cat biscuit and azuki bean whipping cream. 

Cost of the 3 course is £15 and the pop up starts at 7pm

  

On the 16th April The Indian Rasoi will be providing an evening of authentic Indian Cuisine. 

On the menu are dishes for Vegetarians  such as:

Potato/peas Tikki Chaat, served with marinated chick peas, pomegranate and red onion, mint and chilli chutney. 

Methi, mixed bean medley. Served with flame griddles aubergine purée, home ground spices, cumin rice, Tawa bread parantha, turmeric oil and warm coriander slaw. 

Warm Indian chilli infused carrot and coconut cake with homemade kulfi ice cream

The cost is £15 for three courses. 

   

 

On the 22nd April The Vegan Grindhouse will be taking over. 

Serving a completely Vegan menu it will include: 

Starters: Buffalo Cauli wings served with Pip’s Hot Sauce

GrindHouse Nachos. 

Main course: Grindhouse Burger, signature meatless, quarter pounder with vegan cheese. 

Philly Cheese steak 

Organic six bean chilli, homemade and much loved. 

Sides 

BBQ beans, Grindhouse Slaw, side salad,

Deserts: New York ‘cheese cake gluten free and vegan. 

Ice cream cookie sandwich. Vegan 

For £20 per person you receive 1 starter, 1 main, 2 sides, and 1 desert. 

   

   

On the 30th April the Flying Cows takeover the Hare and Hounds. The cost is £15 for 3 courses menu to be announced. Keep an eye on Veggie Foodie for an update. 

For all reservations, tickets check The Hare and Hounds website/events. 

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/event-listings/

Hare and Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath, B14 7JZ. 

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/

@hareandhounds:Twitter. 

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

@andydhare 

   

   

Street Food INC comes to BrindleyPlace Birmingham City Centre 2-6 April 

Posted in Birmingham, City Centre, Events, Festivals, Food, Food Festivals, Independent, Independent Birmingham, pizza, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers, Veggie foodie by

For 5 whole days from the 2-6th April (Thursday-Monday, Easter Bank Holiday)  Central Square at BrindleyPlace Birmingham will be transformed into one of the largest street food markets with over 15 traders per day. Billed as a celebration of home grown talent and the fantastic food scene that Birmingham has to offer it promises to be a vibrant and lively foodie weekend, and will host some brilliant Vegetarian friendly street food traders. 

   

Organised by I Need Catering, Lucy Darby  the main host has organised a brilliant line up. 

On all 5 days Veggie Foodie favourites The Vegan Grindhouse will be present, showcasing their 100% plant based Vegan burgers, chilli, and a number of other superb dishes. 

Plus Veggie Foodie favourites Barebones Pizza will be present for 5 Days also. With superb pizzas, and their delicious Vegetarian and Vegan pizzas. 

The Vegan Grindhouse   

       Barebones Pizza 

Plus Pip’s Hot Sauce will be presenting an exclusive Vegan hot sauce in conjunction with The Vegan Grindhouse and running a competition New Mystery Sauce challenge- where you have to guess the correct ingredients in Pip’s Fantastic new sauce to win a 90 minute workshop with Circus MASH @circusMash. 

Also there for 5 days are The London Pie and Mash Company who will have a Roasted Vegetable pie with gravy for Vegetarians. Yummy! 

Also appearing will be Vegetarian friendly Becky’s Bhajis (Thursday only) Bournville Waffle, and Hibiscus Grove South East Asian Cuisine (friday-Monday) and Delize Italian (Friday only). 

Also veggie friendly Muy Loco Tacos who will be serving Tacos with a twist. 

   

       

The line up includes:

Thursday 2nd April: 

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Becky’s Bhajis, Fat Duck Spuds, London Pie and Mash Co’, Toby’s Tacos’, Sticky Fig

Friday 3rd April

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Delize Italian, leave it to Esme-Caribbean, Bournville Waffle, Hibiscus Grove, Fat Duck Spuds, London pie and mash. 

Saturday 4th April

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Leave it to Esme, Bournville Waffle, Hibiscus Grove, Toby’s Tacos, Savannah Grill. 

Sunday 5th April (Easter Sunday)

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, Leave it to Esme, Toby’s, Bournville Waffle Company, Savannah Grill, Hibiscus Grove. 

Monday 6th April

The Vegan Grindhouse, Barebones Pizza, leave it to Esme, Bournville Waffle, Toby’s, Hibiscus Grove. 

The Easter Street Food Market will also have CircusMASH performing a fred community showcase (the production is called ‘Spring Up’) and will be offering free workshops from 2pm-4pm on Saturday and Sunday. 

CircusMASH were at Lunar Festival last year and have appeared on This Morning on TV. 

  

Also Drum Together Brum will be doing a few performances throughout the weekend. 

For full details of the line up follow @ineedcatering on Twitter and on Facebook. 

It promises to be a brilliant Easter Weekend of Street Food INC goodies. Hopefully the sun will shine and the rain will keep away. 

   

 

Any more information that comes my way I will add to my post. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

@andydhare


Amantia: New Spanish restaurant, Birmingham

Posted in Bars, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Gin, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Tapas, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

    

The other evening Myself and Ruth had the privilege of been invited to the launch along with other lovely Birmingham food bloggers of new Spanish restaurant Amantia on Bennetts Hill in Birmingham City Centre near New Street. 

Amantia is an independent family run restaurant that showcases well presented Spanish dishes opposite the Briar Rose in Central Birmingham and just up from Bodega. 

Housed in the iconic Sun House offices  (once insurance offices) next door to Burne Jones House. 

  

Run by husband and wife team chef Andrea and front of house Marta Retanaga it has a design of sophistication yet informality and will be a hit with the lunch time crowd in the Colmore Business District. 

Amantia represents the name of some ruins near Andrea’s Birthplace, but also contains the initials of their children. 

The food is a mixture of tapas, pastas and crepes and for veggies has good and interesting options. 

On the night of the launch I tasted a couple of the dishes a lovely authentic and indulgent tortilla da patata (Spanish potato Tortilla) and a lovely cheesy blue cheese and truffle croquettes (croquetas) which was good and a tempting introduction to their tapas dishes, which I love. 

Croquetas    

 

Though the options for veggies were limited on the night, I was impressed with what I ate to feel excited about returning and trying the fuller tapas and food menu. 

Also on the menu for Vegetarians are:

Tapas:

Creamy mushroom croquetas (croquettes) 

Homemade crepes: 

Cremosa: leek and spinach bechamel

Rustica: Roasted aubergine, sundried tomatoes, and mascarpone cheese.

Pasta

Ravioli con berenjena: aubergine and scamorza cheese in a creamy spinach and walnut sauce. 

Greek Salad

Deserts include tiramisu and crepes. 

There are also main course options so a traditional three course meal can be had too. (No veggie main course) 

Amantia also specialise in Gin and have dozens of artisan brands. Plus gin cocktails, good wines and Spanish beer. 

As a venue and style of food Amentia is unique in central Birmingham and offers quality and independence in abundance, and for that it’s very welcome amongst the chains nearby. 

Keep an eye on my blog for a further review soon. 

Amantia Spanish restaurant, 9-10 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham, B2 5RS

0121 643 3647

http://www.amantia.co.uk/

Menu see below link. 

https://attachment.fbsbx.com/file_download.php?id=407589196069551&eid=AStK6r4xxszDt8pE–K2RqKLpJDvbqv5W0ggf879sTo1UMIXtygIHUS-KHTy2EEqjuE&ext=1427109630&hash=ASt7diglUlL_rIqP

I was invited to the launch of Amentia so all food and drink was complimentary. My opinions are my own and no post was required, but I’m so happy to write one. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊


#TastyMorsel: Gas Street Social opens with tempting vegetarian dishes. 

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, City Centre, Cocktails, Craftbeer, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Real ale, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers by

    

Gas Street Social is a brand new bar and restaurant at The Mailbox in Birmingham City Centre nestled by the canal (with views) and offering a seasonal taste of home comforts alongside an eclectic menu and speciality drinks. 

On offer for veggies are sharing plates, veggie burgers, cheese boards, and stone baked flat breads as well as pies including vegetarian on a Tuesday. 

Alongside the food sits craft beer, delightful cocktails which are a speciality of Gas Street Social both handcrafted, modern and  classics. 

   

       

Inspired by the industrial and cultural context of Birmingham’s rich history centred on the concept of sharing and socialising. 

The bar/restaurant offers large tables, intimate booth areas, a cosy- snug zone and caters for quick bites and lunches and lingering after work social fun. 

As an independent entity owned by Adam Freeth from Redditch it promises to be a great addition to the Mailbox area and even more so as an independent venture amongst so many so so chains. 

For vegetarians the menu offers  dishes such as  a superfood salad, soup, cheese board, social plates which seem the most tempting and include: Beetroot tart, sweet potato and quinoa, crispy arancini balls. 

Mains include a veggie sweet potato and quinoa burger with triple cooked chips and watercress, and mushroom gnocchi. 

Gas Street Social source their ingredients well as good independents do. 

The sharing plates are £17 for three and £27 for 5 plates. Ideal in the Mailbox setting, by the canal. 

Gas Street Social also have a dedicated children’s menu including vegetarian and a long list of tempting deserts. 

  

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the press dinner last week, but have heard good things about Gas Street Social and its decor and food options. 

I’m looking forward to visiting soon though for a proper review of their vegetarian dishes and like the look of the sharing plates which I’m a big fan of. 

As an alternative to the set three course meal places nearby it offers a real alternative. 

http://www.gasstreetsocial.co.uk

Wharf side, The Mailbox, Birmingham B1 1RL. 

Facebook/Gasstsocial

Twitter: @gasstsocial 

   

       

 

Photos apart from the top 2 courtesy of Gas Street Social, the top 2 courtesy of me. 

   

 

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

#VeggieFoodie guide to Vegan food in Birmingham: Veggie Foodie and Stay.com

Posted in Birmingham, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Curry restaurants, healthy, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Veggie Foodie Guide to by

In February I was asked by Stay.com (a travel app and travel website) to be a trusted traveller on the recommendation of Birgit Kehrer of ChangeKitchen CIC (award winning vegetarian and vegan catering) Thank you Birgit!

The idea being that I would recommend eight places to eat for Vegans in Birmingham. A personal choice at the time and eight’s not that many in light of a growing vegan foodie scene in the city. 

This got me thinking that of course there are a lot more than eight, and many places cater for vegans in many different ways from specialised shops, street food to vegetarian restaurants and restaurants with Vegan menus. Though I’m not a vegan myself, I find it frustrating in many restaurants that a vegan diet seems to be ignored or fobbed off as something they dong have to worry about. As a vegetarian some restaurants in Birmingham alas don’t understand a veggie diet never mind a vegan one and that’s some very high profile independent ones too not just the chains. 

Though I’m not one for lists on blogs, I appreciate  that as a vegan and indeed a vegetarian, recommendations can be helpful particularly for s travellers, or someone who has recently moved into the city. 

Hence the extra places that I’m going to mention. 

To begin my list for Stay.com. See below. 

http://www.stay.com/birmingham/guides/509858-e4ce5aa4/vegan-friendly-birmingham/

Includes in no particular order 

–The Warehouse Cafe – A vegetarian and vegan restaurant in Digbeth area

–Veg Out Cafe- All day vegetarian cafe restaurant in Kings Heath area. 

–Bistro 1847- vegetarian restaurant in Birmingham City  Centre 

Cafe Soya- A Vietnamese and Chinese cafe/restaurant in Birmingham City Centre 

Raja Monkey: Indian Street Food cafe restaurant in Hall Green area. 

Jyoti: Indian vegetarian restaurant/ sweet shop in Hall Green 

Blue Ginger: Singaporean Malaysian cuisine in Kings Heath with a dedicated vegan night every Monday. Plus good vegan options on the menu. 

Loco Lounge: part of the Lounges group based in Kings Heath but with branches around the city including Harborne. Dedicated vegan menu every day. 

So I apologise if your favourites are not mentioned on my initial recommendations. 

My extended choices include again in no particular order: 

Bodega Bar and Cantina: based in the city centre, Mexican, Burrito’s, street food, tacos plus a dedicated every day Vegan menu. Keep an eye on my blog for a review soon. 

Mr Singh: Vegetarian and vegan pizzas in Handsworth are of the city. 

Deepalis: Indian Vegetarian restaurant in The Jewellery Quarter. 

100% Vegan Shop: based in the Warehouse Cafe building but selling 100% vegan food, snacks, health products, whole foods. Based in Digbeth. 

The Vegan Grindhouse: 100% vegan streetfood, burgers, plant based, fab food. See them at various events round the city and Midlands. 

Blue Piano: Sister Venus of Blue Ginger based in Edgbaston. 

Boston Tea Party: Cafe and restaurant, based in city centre, and Harborne. Serving breakfasts, cakes, sandwiches etc including vegan options. 

Cherry Reds cafe Bar: two branches one in city centre and one in Kings Heath. Vegan breakfasts, cakes, and burgers. 

ChangeKitchen CIC: vegetarian and vegan catering. 

Byzantium: tapas in Kings Heath, vegan options. 

Cosy Club: soon to be open in City Centre. Has a vegan menu. 

Barebones Pizza: streetfood trader with a vegan pizza on the menu. See them around the city. 

Tall Poppy Foods: A vegan cake and food company, dairy free and animal by product free. Wraps, pastries, sandwiches, cupcakes and brownies. 

KusKus Foods: vegetarian and vegan street food inspired by the Middle East, Whole organic home made food. See them at Moseley Farmers market for example. Think tagines, falafels. 

Plus many other Indian Restsurants will cater for a vegan diet on request. 

Plus Pizza Express have a vegan pizza. Branches at Brindley Place, Bullring and on Corporation Street. 

Pret A Manger have vegan options and sandwiches. Branches throughout the city. 

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who has other recommendations for great vegan food in Birmingham or elsewhere. Whether independent or chain. 

For menus set links below: 

http://www.thewarehousecafe.com/

http://www.bluegingerrestaurant.co.uk/Home.html

http://www.jyotis.co.uk/

http://www.rajamonkey.co.uk/

http://www.cafesoya.co.uk/

http://by1847.com/

http://thelounges.co.uk/lounges/loco-lounge/

http://vegoutcafe.co.uk/

http://www.byzantiumtapas.co.uk/

http://www.changekitchen.co.uk/

http://www.bostonteaparty.co.uk/

http://www.thevegangrindhouse.co.uk/?m=1

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

http://www.thebluepiano.co.uk/

http://mrsinghspizza.co.uk/

http://www.deepalisrestaurant.co.uk/

http://bodegacantina.co.uk/

http://www.tallpoppyfoods.co.uk/





Photo courtesy of Stay.com

Stay.com Is a travel app and travel website for city trips all over the world. They were founded in Norway in 2009. 

The guide is based upon creating your own information, to share guides with friends via Facebook, Twitter. Ask for tips from friends via Facebook. Personalise your guide. 

Stay.com has over 150 destinations and has maps that work offline( so no roaming costs) 

Facebook.com/stay.com

Twitter.com/staydot.com

http://www.stay.com/

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

Big Papas: Deep South Soul Food in Birmingham UK review

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Events, Food, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Street Food, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by



If like me you’ve been watching the fantastic Reginald D Hunter ‘Songs of the American Deep South’ on BBC2 over the last few weeks then you will know just how intrinsically linked Soul Food and music is in the Deep South of America. It is on this premise that the ‘partnership’ between Big Papas Beautiful South and The Sunflower Lounge bar seems a match made in heaven, one specialising in soul food and one in music. 

The dishes created by chef Anthony Duffy echoing the history and authentic feel of Americas history and way of life. The fact that it serves food in Birmingham UK and not Birmingham Alabama even more in tune with the rhythm of soul and blues that encompasses its historic connection. 

Soul food originated in the Deep South by slaves and has become one of Ammericas richest regional cuisines. 

Myself along with Ruth were invited by Anthony along with other esteemed local food bloggers to try the food at Big Papas. It was a super night and lovely to see and meet everyone in attendance. 

Big Papas is approximately 5 minutes from The Bullring and a short walk down Smallbrook Queensway near TK Max. It’s based in The Sunflower Lounge a Birmingham favourite for many years as known for its live indie music and bustling and lively bar. 

So for good pints it is well stocked. 

Big Papas have a residency at The Sunflower Lounge and from their kitchen their Soul Food is created. 

The food on the menu is good value for money and includes a main course, 2 sides and 2 dipping sauces and then a choice of deserts as extra. 

For Vegetarians the options are limited but includes Big Papas famous Mac ‘n’ Cheese. They are Planning to add more vegetarian dishes in the next few weeks, (keep an eye on Veggie Foodie as I’m due to try them). 

The Mac ‘n’ Cheese came with Butternut Squash, and Poached egg and I chose two sides of Sweet Potato Fries and Greens. The 2 sauces were BBQ and Homemade Spicy Sauce. 



The dishes were served on a cute tray and the 2 sauces in their individual pots. 

The Mac ‘n’ Cheese was delicious, well made with a good cheesy flavour. Though I felt it could have been lifted more so by some mustard within it. I really enjoyed the dish, and with some of the best Sweet potato Fries I’ve had anywhere, in fact little slices of Cajun heaven, made a hearty and filling vegetarian dish that is so worth revisiting. The greens (cabbage in butter) were a nice contrasting accompaniment (always good to have veg, though they didn’t have my favourite okra)  the dipping sauces were well flavoured, quite spicy, but I like that and lovely with the fries. 

The Mac ‘n’ Cheese can also be ordered as a side. 



The brand new menu at Big Papas. 

Big Papas is a brilliant place to visit at any time of the day, but for a place for a lunch whilst shopping or an after shop  meal and drink its to be well recommended. The food is excellent, authentic and filled with their pride to provide good meals at reasonable prices fulfilling the Soul Food history and ethos. 

Thanks to Big Papas (Anthony and Craig) for dining us and for their hospitality, and enthusiasm. 

For soulfully cooked food, which is good for your soul’ veggie or non veggie Big Papas provide an abundance of flavour and a bit of Deep South history in Birmingham UK. Hallelujah! 

#feedyoursoul

#streetfood

Big Papas Beautiful South, The Sunflower Lounge, 76 Smallbrook Queensway, Birmingham B5 4EG.

Food is served from 12-9pm 7 days a week. 

Big Papas are also street food traders and can be seen around the area serving their fine food at Brum Yum Yum KingshEATh on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Kerp an eye on their Twitter and Facebook pages for other dates and events. 







Facebook: bigpapassouth

Twitter: @bigpapasUk

I was invited by Big Papas to attend the food blogger evening to try their vegetarian food with an honest feedback and review required. All food was complimentary but all drinks consumed paid for by myself and Ruth. All opinions expressed are honest as always. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

The Sunflower Lounge and Big Papas Beautiful South are supported by Independent Birmingham . They are featured on their website under bars. 

For discounts and to purchase the IB card see their website below. 

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

Veg Out Cafe: Vegetarian and Vegan dinner in kings Heath Birmingham

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



Veg Out Cafe is an Independently owned cafe and restaurant on popular Poplar Road in Kings Heath, in the South of Birmingham. 

As with many Vegetarian places it covers all bases and is open all day Monday-Friday, Friday and Saturday evenings and for Sunday brunch. 

Veg Out is a smallish, minimal and friendly in the community kind of place with colourful walls adorned with art work. It has large windows bringing in lots of natural light, apart from after dark when we visited of course, but that’s stating the obvious. 

The furniture and floors are wooden, sturdy and won’t rock and roll as you eat your soup or tuck into a vegetarian breakfast (there Arn’t many things worse). There are potted plants, community information on the walls and a gaiety of spirit that only a thoughtful independent business beholds. The care and attention to its customers, that bellies the Kings Heath vibe. 

Positively, there is a Bring your own on alcohol which keeps the price down and makes Veg Out Cafe one of the best value places around. 

Veg Out Cafe do a set price menu which includes vegan options. 3 courses for £ 17.95 and 2 courses for £17.95. 

On the Saturday evening that Ruth and I visited the restaurant was busy and had a good buzzy atmosphere. 

After a quick drink en route from home at Fletchers Bar on York Road we decided on looking at the menu to go for the 3 course menu. 




We both chose the Ravioli set on a cauliflower and Tarragon puréed mushroom and cream sauce to start. 


Our Ravioli was excellent. Though it felt quite small in size (though that was probably because we were hungry) the Ravioli was hand made, had a good flavour and was cooked perfectly, and with the complimentary flavours of the cauliflower, tarragon and cream lifted it into a fine starter, one demonstrating a touch of quality in the cooking and presentation. 

For my main course I chose the Cannelini Al gratin with fennel, garlic served with wilted spinach. 



The Cannelini Al Gratin was also very good, warming, filling and hearty. Packed with a subtle garlic and fennel flavour it was a good size and a really tasty main. The Spinach gave it a contrasting texture and made for a good main course. 

Ruth chose the Kale salad with artichoke, garlic potatoes, chilli and white wine. A pretty dish that she commended for its healthy, filling and flavoursome potatoes, which she enjoyed a lot. 


For pudding Ruth had the sorbet which she found refreshing and a healthier choice. Sorry no photo as Ruth had started before I could get one taken. 

I went for The Sticky Toffee Pudding with Double Cream. 

A sticky toffee pudding is one of my favourite puddings, it is for me one of my taste tests along with tiramisu, fresh bread and chips. (To name a few)  having eaten Sticky Toffee Pudding in the Lake District and North Yorkshire I’ve had it where it was created. 

I was very impressed with Veg Out Cafe’s sticky toffee pudding. It was superbly toffee flavoured, a good size, perfectly cooked, not burnt or overlooked but moist, and with the right amount of cream to give it the contrast in flavour. A super job, well worth having if on the menu.  


The menu at Veg Out changes weekly usually so what Ruth and I ate may not be what you will find. I like the fact that the menu changes, it keeps it seasonal and fresh for both the chef and the customer who visits frequently. 

Check Twitter and Facebook for their menus and their website. 

I would have liked to have had some fresh bread when we arrived especially as exquisite independent bakery Maison Mayci is on the same road. Maybe to nibble on arrival or over the menu. I know how good the bread is there. 

Throughout the service was friendly, enthusiastic and prompt and with a buzzy feel to the atmosphere made for a very engaging evening. 

Veg Out Cafe is a brilliant Vegetarian place to go for an informal weekend evening. It’s casual, fun and the food is delicious, well made and shows a creative touch that is well executed and presented well. 

Veggies, Vegans  and meat eaters alike will enjoy the ambience and welcome and the price. As the hashtag on their website says #wecarewhatyoueat. 

Who can dispute that. 

Veg Out Cafe, 46 Poplar Road, Birmingham, B14 7AG. 

Twitter.com/cafevegout 

Facebook.com/CafeVegOut

http://vegoutcafe.co.uk/
https://vegoutcafekh.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/cafe-menu1.pdf
https://vegoutcafekh.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/veg-out-march-menu.pdf
We paid for our own meal all opinions in the view are my own, honest at all times. 

Thanks for reading 😊

Andy 

Has anyone been to Veg Out Cafe? What did you think, what’s your favourite time to visit? 

In my previous review I reviewed Veg Out Cafe’s lunch and daytime menu: 

see my review here: 

https://vegiefoodie.com/2014/09/16/veg-out-cafe-a-vegetarian-lunch-in-kings-heath-birmingham/

You can now receive 10% off your bill with the Independent Birmingham Card so this makes the evening weekend deal even better value. 

Unfortunately the deal became live a day or so after we visited. But another time😊

See what they say here:

http://independent-birmingham.co.uk/veg-out-cafe/