Category Archives: Independent

This Sunday 1st November: World Vegan Day Pop Up with ChangeKitchen at Cherry Reds, Birmingham City Centre. 

Posted in Birmingham, City Centre, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Kings Heath, Pop up's, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   

ChangeKitchen CIC provide Mouthwatering event catering for all occasions, be it business or training lunch, wedding or birthday party, canapé event or conference catering, specialising in tasty, healthy vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free food, inspired by cuisines from around the world.

Cherry Reds Brum Centre ChangeKitchen Take Over happening this Sunday 4 – late!

ChangeKitchen CIC are working with Cherry Reds in Town to deliver a World Vegan Day Special from 4pm till late with a special menu during that time … fully vegan, fully tasty, fully vibrantly flavourful and colourful, fully ChangeKitchen!

The menu will include the following at a minimum:

Starters / Snacks

– Pumpkin Soup

– Samosas

– Pakora

– Sausage Rolls

– Roast Vegetable Wraps

– Raw Lasagne

Mains

– Vegan Homity Pie (potatoe pie with caramalized onions and our own version of vegan cheese).

– Thai Curry

– Moussaka

– Spinach and Mushroom Lasagne

Desserts / Afters

– Lemon Drizzle Cake

– Carrot Cake

– Apple & Plum Crumble

– Chocolate Mousse.

Bookings can be made via Facebook if you want to book a table! 

https://www.facebook.com/ChangeKitchen

https://www.twitter.com/changekitchen/

Or via Cherry Reds on John Bright Street. 0121-441-3155.

Home

  Vegan Homity Pie 

ChangeKitchen food is now also available via Kings Heath Food Assembly!

The Kings Heath Food Assembly Is a consumer lead initiative for directly buying food from local suppliers – with an now added Vegetarian/Vegan dimension.

Currently they are supplying dips (hummus and much more), cakes (lemon drizzle cake, carrot cake & others), chocolate mousse and take away food (currently Thai Veg Curry, Mediterranean Bake and Tarka Dhal).

Soon their repertoire will expand! So do check it out, its a lovely event. anyway with fellow suppliers selling   bread, wonderful local veg & more. 

Here is a link about it and shows you how to join (for free!): 

 https://thefoodassembly.com/en/assemblies/7362

My previous post on The KingsHeath Food Assembly.

http://t.co/ZYtMSurfrS

   
  

  

ChangeKitchen CIC are also appearing at the above event on Halloween Saturday 31st October in Kings Heath with Food Birmingham, who provide a discount card for many deals in restaurants and cafes in Birmingham. 

http://www.foodbirmingham.co.uk/news/halloween-food-festival-updates/
http://www.foodbirmingham.co.uk/news/fb-members-halloween-discounts/

https://www.facebook.com/ChangeKitchen

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

Nomad re-opening in November. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Independent, vegan, vegetarian by

   
 One of the best vegetarian experiences I’ve had this year or any year is from Nomad. Whilst their pop up was in Kings Heath, Ruth and I visited a couple of times to try their innovative take on modern vegetarian cooking. It pushed the boundaries with their textures and foraged ingredients.  

Presenting unique dining experiences that are an exploration of nature, memory and place Nimad provide a unique dining adventure.   

 Thankfully Nomad is re-opening (permanently) from Friday 13th November onwards in Birmingham city centre at BOM Lab, 1 Dudley Street, Birmingham B5 4EG. 

 They will be serving snacks, small plates and in evenings fixed multi-course menus with full cocktail and experimental drinks matching (think wood ant gin and tonic (not veggie) seaweed vodka and edible cocktails). 

They will also be introducing non-alcoholic fresh juice & temperance flights for their guests who do not wish to drink alcohol.

Nomad will be open Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 – 16:00 / and Wednesday – Saturday 18:00 – late.

Brilliantly Nomad will continue to serve food based on nature, memory and place, working closely with their allotments, foragers, gamekeepers and small local farms to create a snapshot of British produce in the moment.  
Reservations are now live for November and December. See below. 

https://www.resdiary.com/Restaurant/Nomad?mc_cid=56ce16d8ec&mc_eid=c650cd99a2

See you there. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

   
    
   

Reviews of Nomad from Veggie Foodie: 

http://t.co/RjhlejagxY

http://t.co/BH6rikDNAY

  
   
Nomad is opening on Friday 13th November at BOM (Birmingham Open Media) Lab, 1 Dudley Street, Birmingham B5 4EG. 

hello@foodbynomad.com

@nomadbirmingham

http://foodbynomad.com/

BOM (Birmingham Open Media) is a creative collaborative workspace for art, technology and science.

BOM

A very 1847 Christmas. 

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

Charles Dickens’ The Christmas Carol was published in 1843. 

Dickens more than any other Victorian lays out a blueprint as to how Christmas should be celebrated  and every year I try and read the book. It is to this parallel that I introduce Bistro 1847, who are now  laying down a blue print for modern vegetarian food, in the detail, the ingredients and in how they present in this case their own 1847 Christmas. 

 Bistro 1847 is the growing collection of Vegetarian restaurants   That is named after the year the vegetarian society was formed four years after the Christmas Carol was published. 

With a restaurant due to open in Bristol on the 23rd October and two more in Brighton and Edinburgh to open shortly, this year is proving to be a busy one for them. 

Their food has always delighted me and often surprised me. The ingredients used are often seasonal, sometimes foraged but always intricate in their construction and textures and flavours. 

Ruth and I had the pleasure last week of been invited to sample their new Christmas menu in Birmingham at their Great Western Arcade restaurant. 

  
Christmas Bellini style cocktails at Bistro 1847.  

  

The Christmas menu includes dishes such as:

Starters: 

Mushroom Crostini, 

Winter Warmer, 

Squash and feta, 

Mains: Merguez and mash (spicy puy lentil sausage, turnip, sage mash, red onion gravy), 

Cabbages (Brussel Sprout Frittata, sautéed savoy vadouvan and cauliflower velouté) 

(Veggie/Vegan) Fish and chips (battered Halloumi, triple cooked chips, savoy lemon curd, green pea and Basil.) 

Desserts:

 Tropical fruits, 

Chocolate and pear 

chestnut pie. 

We tried: starters (sample size only) 

  Mushroom crostini. A mushroom and walnut pate, pickled quince, smoked butter toast. 

  Winter warmer: Roasted parsnip soup, Rosemary persillade, black sesame, sesame oil. 

A very warming  Christmas seasonal like dish. 

  Squash and feta: Whipped feta, roasted butternut squash, wilted kale, pumpkin seeds. 

My favourite starter, light and well flavoured. 

  Halloumi Fish and chips ( a signature dish, though not very seasonal!) always nice though. 

  Vegan version of Fish and chips made with tofu. 

  

Tropical Fruits: Burnt pineapple, pomegranate and orange, caramel, coconut streusel. Refreshing and nice after a heavier meal. 

The Bistro 1847 Christmas menu is a varied and balanced menu that caters for both vegetarians and vegans. 

lunch is £16.95 2 courses. Including a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. Available Monday- Saturday 12-00-15.00.

Dinner is £24.00 3  courses plus coffee. 

There are tasting menus available too for £40 per person. 6 courses plus coffee and petit fours. 
Available from December 1st. 

http://by1847.com/

   
 
  
   

   
 
   
   

   
   
   
Some Photos of Dishes at Bistro 1847 from my previous visits. 

 Lunch deal. £10 any main course plus drink. Monday to Saturday 12-3pm. 
We were invited to Bistro 1847, all food and drink was complimentary. No post was required. Thanks to Vicky for the invite and the team for the hospitality and food. 

Bistro 1847, 26 Great Western Arcade, Birmingham B2 5HU. 

0121-236-2313.

Have a very 1847 Christmas. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

For details of their new openings keep an eye on their twitter and facebook pages.

https://m.facebook.com/pages/1847-Birmingham/208341145981255

http://www.By1847.com

@By1847

@1847Birmingham

Byzantium in Kings Heath launches its upstairs room. 

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, Kings Heath, Tapas, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

Byzantium Tapas Restaurant in Kings Heath, is one of the best places for vegetarians in the area and in Birmingham itself. The eclectic mix of Mediterranean tapas has many decent options and with its good and attentive service its a firm favourite for Ruth and myself. We even had a lovely Valentines meal there this year. It is a very romantic restaurant. 

The other night we were pleased to be invited to attend the launch of their new 40 seater Upper Room. 

The Upper Room is perfect for a variety of functions such as parties, business meetings and conferences. When not in use by the above it will be handed over as part of the restaurant, which she enable more people to be able to sample their lovely tapas.

In case you didn’t know Byzantium serves up up a wide variety of Mediterranean-inspired tapas and is a popular restaurant in the Kings Heath community. It’s family run, independent and owners Efua and Antonello Turco Are passionate about their food and the good service they provide. Byzantium is one of the friendliest restaurants I’ve found in Birmingham and its this as well as the food that makes it popular hence their new room. 

It can be set up for Birthday parties and anniversary parties, and with an eclectic array of tapas dishes it’s great for a party. 

I’ve always thought Byzantium was one of the best restaurants for vegetarians in Birmingham, with numerous options plus an array of seasonal specials. Byzantium has a special party menu:

Click to access 18.pdf

Veggie dishes on the party menu include Potatas Bravas, delicious flatbread, Zaalouk (Aubergine Dip) a personal favourite, Championes Rellenos (mushrooms with red peppers and tomatoes) amongst others. 

Tapas is the perfect food for sharing. Which makes it ideal for parties. 

The extension opens just in time for Christmas parties, either family, friends or work. 

The Christmas menu consists of three courses for £24.95 per person. Bookings on 0121-444 5444.

We sampled on the night some delicious food, in particular the Halloumi skewers and the Camembert below were delicious. 

Many thanks to Greta from Digital Glue for the invites. 

   Camembert crostini. 

  

Halloumi skewers with peppers 

 

3 Photos kindly donated from Sanjeeta Bains of The Birmingham Post and Mail. Thank you. 

   

  Byzantium from the outside. 

 

   

Negroni at Byzantium 
 Tortilla Con Queso. 

  
  

Croquetas at Byzantium. 

 
My photos of the Food and drink at Byzantium from a previous visit. 

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

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

https://m.facebook.com/Byzantiumtapas

   
 

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.

  

Opus reveals newly-refurbished Kitchen Table Dining experience. 

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

  
 

Opus at Cornwall Street is introducing its newly-refurbished ‘Kitchen Table’ dining experience, where guests can enjoy their meal at a special newly designed table  in the heart of the restaurant’s kitchen.
Surrounded by the bustling kitchen, diners can see their dishes being created by Opus’ talented young team and enjoy a bespoke five-course tasting menu, which is tailored around the guest’s preferences, (including vegetarian) served by the table’s own dedicated waiter. 

With each course introduced by the chef, the Kitchen Table is a dinner party like no other, with guests getting an insight into the provenance of the food and the techniques used in its creation.

Ben Ternent, executive chef at Opus, said: “The Kitchen Table brings an added dimension to dining with us. Customers are able to see how the whole kitchen operation works, have a tour of the different sections and learn about how we source from our family of artisanal suppliers around the British Isles. 

The Kitchen Table also gives my team a rare opportunity to interact directly with the customer, to explain what we’ve created and how, and to listen to their feedback.”

Originally launched in 2009, the Kitchen Table has been given a complete makeover as it continues to rise in popularity. Plates and wine glasses from Fiskars’ ‘Tanssi’ range have been introduced, as well as newly upholstered chairs. In keeping with the rest of the restaurant, the Kitchen Table has now been clothed and a new, organic feel has been introduced through the addition of beech and ceramic tiles.

The Opus Kitchen Table seats up to eight diners and costs £75 per person or £110 per person with wines to match each of the tasting menu’s five courses. A new four-course bespoke menu has also been introduced for lunch time.

For more information about Opus restaurant, visit 

http://www.opusrestaurant.co.uk/

0121 200 2323

Photos courtesy of Opus and Clive Reeves PR. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

In praise of: Carters of Moseley. Michelin Starred dining from a Vegetarian perspective. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, Moseley, Sunday lunch, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
It’s taken me awhile to get this review posted, but in so many ways I’m pleased it has. You see a couple of weeks ago Carters of Moseley was awarded its first Michelin Star. 

Now back in May when Ruth and I celebrated our wedding anniversary with a meal so beautifully put together, this was just a dream in chef Brad and front of house Holly’s mind. 

Yet the hard work to amaze and impress and make this small neighbourhood restaurant one of the jewels in Birmingham is now been taken seriously by more than just mere locals like me and thus the story of Carters of Moseley evolves. 

It all began with a Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year in 2015, lots of garnished praise locally, plus a great review in The Independent newspaper. 

Yet, when Ruth and I entered chez Carters we hoped for a celebratory meal and man did we get one. 

From it’s mere storefront outside Carters provides food that is quintessential of the perfect neighbourhood restaurant, locally sourced ingredients, foraged often, good value for money food and service which is amongst the best and friendliest anywhere. 

For Vegetarians it’s a journey of enticing flavours, textures and innovation. The seasonality of ingredients used make it fresh, and exciting. 

Simplicity and restraint is central to the cooking, the preparation of the produce with its essence on ingredients is to be applauded. So why does this sound like a conclusion before I’ve shown the dishes? Well, this is a post that’s in praise of Carters of Moseley, not a review as such, but just me saying Vegetarians go there, don’t hesitate, just do it. You won’t regret it. 

So to the food: 5 course menu. 

   
  

To begin a trio of small dishes: 

  Courgette Flower, Ricotta.

  Sparkenhoe Biscuit

   Ogelshield Gougeres.

All three dishes show the touch of dash that makes up the Carters ambition. Good flavours, the precision in the presentation and cooking. A lovely trio. 

As a footnote, we also enjoyed some beautiful homemade wholemeal bread made from flour from the local 250 year old Sarehole Mill, served with butter for vegetarians. 

  Black Headed Gull’s Eggs: 

A seasonal addition to the set 5 course menu. 

Handpicked from around the South Coast of England. The eggs are hand selected by ‘Eggers’ regarded as the greatest eggs on the market. Only 20.000 are picked across the whole country and The season is only three weeks long. 

The whites were delicate, soft and melted in the mouth. A vibrant yolk orange in colour made for a creamy texture and rich flavoured finish. 
  Lichfield Asparagus, Moliterno Al Tartufo.  

A pretty dish of delicate seasonal (May) and local asparagus with an intense black truffle like flavour from the sharp beautiful cheese. An irresistible flavour and texture. 

  Parsley Grains, Lemon Pickled Fennel. 

Then, a satisfying risotto like dish. Prettyness, prediction and confident cooking with lovely flavours running through it. 

  Salt Baked Carrots, Barley Milk, Swiss Chard.

A dish full of flavour, the salt roasting bringing out the vibrant textures of the carrots and lays it on a bed of Swiss Chard. Very Copenhagen, well seasoned, well…’it’, well done. 

 Wye Valley Rhubarb with Rose and Custard.  

Finally to puds: A simple soothing to the palette desert, local rhubarb given refreshing flavours. Lovely. 

  

 
 Sheep’s yoghurt mousse, alphonso mango, pistachio.

Delicious, well presented and creative dish. A decadent desert. 

 Wedding anniversary surprise. 

Well tempered home made chocolate. A lovely touch. 

A word on the service which is amongst the best anywhere. It forms a huge part of our evening, and Holly was attentive and enthusiastic throughout.  It’s not stiff or formal, but friendly, the vibe is relaxed. It is true in this case that the service and food do work in tandem. 

Food at Carters is intricately simple and focuses on flavour, there are few ingredients on the plate 3 or 4 components which allows them to build a properly prepared dish that’s both seasonal and fresh and of the moment. 

The focus is on the food and their own style, which allows the five courses to be an menu to eat rather than to taste. The dishes build like an orchestration and leave you with a symphonic high by the final movement. 

Consistent in quality and true to their passions Carters cooking shows a smart touch in the kitchen. Not pretentious, not complicated and good value for money. 

Carters of Moseley is a lovely neighbourhood restaurant.  One that for vegetarians should be a must and a ‘when can we go.’

An adventure in food. 

One to savour. 
   

  
Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

Disclosure: We paid for our meal in full. All opinions are my own, and are honest as always. 

5 courses are £45.

3 course lunch: £28. Half bottle of house wine £8. 

Sunday lunch: £32. 

Sunday Supper: £32. 

 No A La Carte menu served. 

We also drank a bottle of The Crusher Viognier 2012: £26.50. A beautiful Pale, Golden White. Delicious with the food. Plus two glasses of Champaigne. 

  

http://cartersofmoseley.co.uk/

2c St Mary’s Row, Wake Green Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 9EZ. 

0121-449-8885.

https://twitter.com/cartersmoseley

October Food pop-Ups @ Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Independent, Kings Heath, Pop up's, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

It’s that time of year again, when Hare and Hounds have their October Pop ups in Kings Heath. 

They are usually good nights for Vegetarians as their’s usually plenty of choice, and a vegetarian menu quite often. 

That is the case with this months cracking line up. 

First up is Buddha Belly on the 1st October for authentic Thai Street Food, including veggie menu. I’m looking forward to this one. 

Then for the next four weeks we have: 

6th October: Vegetarian Dosa’s with Pop Up Dosa. 

15th October: Pika Pika (Ramen Night) 

22nd October: La Grande Viande, French Street Food 

29th October: Indian Rasoi, Halloween feast. 

I’ve enjoyed food with both Pika Pika and Pop Up Dosa, which on previous pop ups have been delicious. 

All pop ups have veggie menus. 

Tickets for all are available via Hare and Hounds website: 

http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Birmingham/Hare-And-Hounds/Buddha-Belly-Pop-Up-Dinner/12523412/

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12523808

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12523749

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12523986

Presently no details of the Indian Rasoi are on the Hare and Hounds website. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

    
Pika Pika. 

Vegetarian Dinner with Worcester Produce @ Opus Cornwall Street, Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Events, Farm producers, Fruit and Veg, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

Direct from the source, are words that we hear often when it comes to our food. The question, do you know where your food comes from? as an (attempting) grower of vegetables it is close to my veggie heart. It is something we should all care about. 

Last week I put a post on this blog regarding the new Birmingham Food Assembly in Kings Heath that has just launched. Where producers and customers can meet and where fresh produce can be picked up after ordering online. You know the source, you trust the grower. 

Opus on Cornwall Street follow that ethos. They know where their veg, potatoes, fish, meat, herbs etc come from. They have met the farmers, seen the farms, been involved with the process of ground to fork or spoon. 

Fruit, salad and vegetables are grown in nurseries of Worcester Produce  across the Vale of Evesham (Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Warwickshire) and were picked on day one and were with Opus on day two. The produce is nurtured by local farmers for nearly a year. 

From Pershore Worcester Produce work exclusively with local growers to provide the best food. Grown with pride and nurtured by local farmers the sourcing supports the local community and is lovely to eat. 

The source dinner series of events that Opus at Cornwall Street run is a chance for diners to meet their suppliers and hear their compelling stories. Opus have a mission to promote their farmers, fisherman and wine makers, hence the Source Vegetarian Dinner with Worcester Produce. 

  

Opus celebrates the freshest of ingredients, independent and market fresh top quality produce allows the ingredients to dictate the menu and allows Opus to buy each day from their suppliers. 

The Vegetarian Source dinner is a five course meal with wine (cost £50) with an Aperitif at the begining and coffee at the end. It is a chance to hear the compelling stories of how the food is grown, which for me is so fascinating and an inspiration for my humble but improving growing abilities. 
  
  

  

Menu and paired wines. 
   Fresh bread to start. 

Ruth and I began with an Aperitif in  the bar (a crisp Prosecco di Valdobbiadene from Trvisol, Italy) which allowed the guests to gather and the atmosphere to build. 

Opus is a stylish restaurant, it has a fine dining tone with an informal bistro like quality. It’s a place for an occasion. The Source dinners are certainly a celebration. 

    

First Course : 

Westland baby sweet peppers Avocado, almond, quail egg, nasturtium. 

Baby peppers are unusual and are not for the mass market sadly. They Made a beautifully sweet dish with a fine quail egg on the side. A nice starter. 

Served with ‘No Stone Unturned, Senillion/ Chardonnay, 2014, Australia. 

  

  
Second Course: 

Burnt English onion consommé Spring onion and goats curd 

A rich flavoured clear soup, with a beautiful stock made from the burnt onion from Redford in Nottinghamshire. A classic, given a veggie twist. A refined dish made delicate by the goats curd which worked well with the depth of flavour in the clarified stock. Delicious. 

Served with Domaine de Bellevue, Sauvignon Blanc, 2014, France. 

  

Delicate Ingredients before the soupy liquid was poured over. 

  
  

Third Course: 

Salt Baked Offenham celeriac, Summer truffle and oat granola. 

The most surprising dish of the night. Surprising in the fact that it was beautiful. A simple looking dish packing loads of flavour. The salty celeriac combined with the earthy truffles. With the breakfast like granola providing a crunch and bite on the side. Very impressive. 

Served with the same wine as above. 

  
  

Fourth Course: 

‘Beet’ Bourgignon, Fennel, maitake mushroom and home dried Drews Farm tomato ravioli. 

Take golden and purple beetroot from Evesham Vale and present it with a perfectly made ravioli with delicate and inviting flavours of fresh summer tomatoes. A celebratory Summery dish. Vegetarians are a mushrooms best friend.

Served with ‘Domaine de Bertier, Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon, 2014, France. 

  

Fifth Course: desert. 

Evesham Vale courgette cake, Dorset cream cheese, Crushed hazelnuts, Worcestershire carrot and lime sorbet. 

Crushed hazelnuts with the well baked courgette cake, a really enjoyable end to the meal. The sorbet was beautiful. 

Wine, see above. 

    

The Vegetarian Source Dinner at Opus Cornwall Street is one of the Vegetarian food highlights of the year. For both Ruth and I its a must do every year. It’s a friendly, formal, but celebratory experience. Think a wedding where the happy couple are the vegetables and Opus Restaurant. 

The dishes, were thoughtful, creative and celebrated the freshest produce. Most of the diners were non vegetarians which may be surprising, but maybe not when you can see what good Produce can help create. Just, lovely food, made and grown with passion, pride and a sense of adventure. The celebration of veg, herbs and edible flowers, luxurious, harmonious and in Opus’ hands, modern, Engaging, a family ‘wedding.’

Every source does have a story. 
    
  

  

Disclosure: we paid for our meal in full. All opinions are my own. No review was requested. But who could resist. 

Opus at Cornwall Street, 54 Cornwall Street, Birmingham, B2 2DE. 

0121-200-2323.

http://www.opusrestaurant.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/OpusCornwallSt?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

https://twitter.com/worc_prod

http://www.worcesterproduce.co.uk/

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

The Food Assembly comes to Birmingham

Posted in Birmingham, Farm producers, Food, Food Assembly, Independent, Kings Heath, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   
 A new way of buying food has come to Birmingham’s suburb of Kings Heath. As seen in the BBC and The Guardian. The Food Assembly is an online service that brings people together to buy food directly from local farmers and foodmakers. 

Every week Food Assembly customers in Kings Heath can order food online from local producers before picking it up weekly at a local venue. The local venue in Kings Heath is the Hare and Hounds pub on the corner of York Road and the High Street. All the food comes from within 100 miles of the area. 

Weekly shoppers can choose from unique local products, such as artisan bread from Peel and Stone, local fruit juice from Model Farm Shop, and local chedder from Heath Grange Farm. 

Plus local fresh vegetables and cheeses, pasture fed meat, butter and eggs. 

Community is at the heart of The Food Assembly, it connects neighbours to farmers, neighbours to each other, and everyone to to their food. For its efforts it won Best British Food Initiative at the BBC Food and Farming Awards. 

The Kings Heath Food Assembly is organised by three university lecturers: Valerie Leick, Emilia Prodanova and Catherine Vincent, who love the idea of bringing food to their friends, family and neighbours. 

Valerie Leick says: 

“I can’t wait for the idea to grow in the wider community that live and work in Kings Heath. It is important for us to give people the chance to eat really fresh, ethically produced food and share our love of socialising around home-cooked delicious meals.”

“We Would like to attract more people to the idea of eating healthily and enjoyably, as well as helping local producers supply food directly to interested people at the fairest prices for all. It’s going to have a huge positive impact.”

The Kings Heath Food Assembly takes place every Tuesday from 7.30-9pm. The venue is Hare and Hounds on Kings Heath High Street. Locals can meet farmers, foodmakers and neighbours and indulge in the finest local food. 

To join the Kings Heath Food Assembly and for more information see below: 

https://foodassembly.com/en/assemblies/7362

Remember there is no commitment to buy. You can buy as much or as little as you wish. Orders have to be in by 12pm on the Sunday before the Tuesday of the assembly.

Changing your shopping habits a little could lead to a big positive change for the world. 

I’ve joined and can’t wait to get started. 

  
    

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2015/food-and-farming-finalists

https://thefoodassembly.com/en

All photos courtesy of The Food Assembly.