#VeggieFoodieTakeaway: Diwan Balti Moseley and Hungry House. 


  

I was recently contacted by Hungry House http://hungryhouse.co.uk/ who wanted me to taste test one of their top takeaways in Birmingham. 

Hungry House is the Uk’s premier online platform for takeaway and food delivery, with more than 10,000 restaurants on their site. They cover the whole of Birmingham on their site. 

They’ve just released the names of their top takeaways. 

http://hungryhouse.co.uk/top-takeaways/

http://hungryhouse.co.uk/top-takeaways/birmingham/

These are chosen due to their popularity with customers, their consistently positive ratings, their ability to deliver food on time and their high food hygiene rating. Only 500 are chosen. 

I was very pleased that one of the restaurants on the list and one in my location Diwan Balti in Moseley was so highly regarded. Diwan has always been a special restaurant to me as I visited it often when I began my job over 15 years ago. I used to go with colleagues who lived in Moseley Village and we quite often put the world to rights and moaned quite readily about work, and life. Politics wa s often on the agenda, as it so often is and was. Back then Diwan was one of the original balti houses and this was before lasan and Pushkar et al changed the curry scene in my city. It has always specialised in Paneer dishes and has loads of choice for Vegetarians. 

The food was ordered from Diwan via the Hungry House link https://hungryhouse.co.uk/diwan-balti

You place your order, the  website is clear and reliable when inputting what you would like to eat and after completion you receive an email cod ironing that the restaurant have been sent the order and then received the order with an estimated delivery time.

Both Ruth and I shared the vegetarian dishes. 

We ordered: 

Plain Poppadums x 3 @ £1.35

Mixed pickles: @ 70p 

Balti Saag Aloo Paneer (Main) @ £5.35 (Spinach and potato and paneer cheese) 

Balti Aloo Gobi Mushroom (Main) @£5.25 (Cauliflower, potato and mushroom) 

Balti Tarka Daal: (lentils) @ £3.60 side 

Balti Chana (Chickpeas) side @ £3.60

Mushroom Pilau Rice: £2.75

Garlic Naan: £2.15

Chapati: 95p. 

Total = £25.70 plus a card surcharge of 50p  = £26.20

   

  

   
    

Balti saag Aloo paneer and Tarka daal.

            

Balti chana and Balti aloo Gobi mushroom. 

 

Mushroom Pilau rice. 

The food We ordered was excellent. 

The poppudums were crisp, on arrival, quite rare for some takeaway deliveries. The sauces were ok, not great but satisfactory. 

Both the Balti Saag Aloo Paneer and Balti chana were good , nicely spiced, nicely cooked, stayed warm throughout though we did use heaters  which always helps. The combination of the paneer and spinach and potato worked well and the paneer was cooked well and carried a good flavour. I used to have this dish quite frequently and wasn’t disappointed as a takeaway. The Balti chana was also very good, chickpeas always go well with me and are one of my favourites in curries. 

We also enjoyed the lentil daal and the Balti aloo Gobi mushroom. Both were well flavoured, the lentils were creamy and were a very good cooking contrast to the spicier mains. Again the cauliflower and potato is a good combination and worked with the mushrooms. A nice dish. 

The mushroom rice, Naan and Chapati were all very good, and essentials to order. 

As a takeaway curry Diwan Balti is an excellent choice in the Moseley and Kings Heath area via Hungry House. The food was delivered on time, it was well presented and all containers were sealed and secure. There were no complaints. The service via the Hungry House website was fine and with a prompt delivery made for a good Vegetarian Takeaway. It also very good value. I’m sure to order again from Diwan Balti and Hungry House. It brought back happy memories. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

I was invited to write an unbiased review of a takeaway ordered via Hungry House in my local area. All food was paid for via a voucher of £30 which was complimentary from Hungry House. I chose Diwan Balti myself, my review is unbiased and honest as always. 

Diwan Balti 3A/B/C Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8AR. 

0121 442 4920/442 6002. 

  


Moseley and Kings Heath Craft Beer Festival Feb 6th-7th


One of the areas related to food that I haven’t mentioned and covered much on my blog up to now is real ale, cider and craft beers.

I’ve always loved real ale and craft beer and see it as just as important as wine, whiskey and cocktails when talking about and eating food. In fact many restaurants are offering and encouraging ale and beer as part of its food menu and tastings.
Particularly Carters in Moseley, Turners in Harborne and of course their is the Pure Bar in the City Centre who are doing a 5 course Valentines night menu with a different tasting beer at every course, though unfortunately not suitable for veggies on this occasion though have veggie options on their main menu.

strong>The festival is taking place with money been raised for good causes is next weekend February 6th-7th at Kings Heath Cricket ground in Kings Heath South Birmingham.

Entry is £10. With £5 worth of beer vouchers and tasting notes and beer glass.

The Moseley, and Kings Heath Craft Beer Festival is organised by the Round Table, who are a organisation that do charity work with an emphasis on social activities and community events.

The festival is the newest event to be organised. This years event is been held at Kings Heath Cricket Ground renowned for its ale, having made The Good Pub Guide.

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This year the festival has a local theme with all 40 Beers having been selected within a 15 mile radius of the festival.

Cider is from Worcestershire, and Herefordshire and Specials ‘including Homebrew’ specially selected as champion home brew Beers.

For a full list of beers and ciders see

http://www.moseleyandkingsheathbeerfestival.co.uk/beers-amp-ciders.html

There will also be live rugby from the six nations on the big screen and live music all weekend.

See website for details:

http://www.moseleyandkingsheathbeerfestival.co.uk

Brewers at the festival include:

Church End
Holdens
Two Towers
Purity

There will and be food available. Details not known as yet. I will update when I know.

Though I know that veggie Veg Out Cafe, Kitchen Garden and Sylhet Spice from Kings Heath are sponsors.

It should be s good two days and hopefully will raise money for good causes locally.

Remember Entry is £10 which includes your festival beer glass, £5 worth of beer vouchers, and tasting notes for all the craft beers and ciders.

Cheers. Get the beers in😊

@moseleyroundtable
Facebook: MoseleyRoundTable

#CoffeeTime: Maison Mayci in Kings Heath Birmingham


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Maison Mayci in Kings Heath is the relaxed, informal and quaint cafe that the French do so well. Here in the south of Birmingham Ruth and I have enjoyed a fair few cakes, coffees and lunches at this fine neighbourhood find.

Located on Poplar Road just off the High Street, it’s a lovely space that offers food rewards in abundance the more you explore the menu.

It’s continental in its approach providing patisserie, rustic fresh breads, pastries, and coffee and cake to suit all tastes and appetites. It caters from brunch through to afternoon, lunches are varied, and delicious with anything from homemade soup, sandwiches, mixed platters, veggie and non, pasta specials and quiches.

It has good veggie options and the mixed veggie platter and quiches are excellent.

Sandwiches are made using their mighty fine freshly made bread and all cakes and pastries are freshly made and well worth a taste.

If you want to immerse yourself in a french flavoured atmosphere and a stylish neighbourhood environment then Maison Mayci is for you. Whether with friends or solo, it’s your call.

It’s also good for families meet ups, or just with a small child as their is a small play area and toys and the menu is child friendly.

Last week I decided to wander in being local for a coffee and cake. It’s. Good spot to read and to work so knowing that it would be quieter in the afternoon after lunch decided to waste no time and double up with a review.

The cafe in Kings Heath is big on atmosphere. It’s rustic, and has a soft warm charm with its wooden tables and chairs and tempting (well in good weather) outdoor courtyard.

The subtle gentle lighting lends itself to calm and the soft chatter of customers is non intrusive though often busy and popular.

On the day of my visit I ordered a cappuccino and cherry and almond tart.

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The cappuccino was well made, creamy, with a good coffee balance. A lovely warming drink.

The Cherry and Almond Tart was very well presented, and had was deliciously flavoured with the almond subtle and the pastry firm but not overworked. A fine tart.

Both together formed a delightful package and with my book the ideal way to spend time on a cold winters afternoon.

All bakes can be taken home and also pre ordered. The tarts and cakes are great when entertaining guests at home and the bread is yummy for brunch on a Sunday at home. Ruth and I are big fans of the bread at Maison Mayci and buy it regularly. The sourdough in particular is beautiful.

What made Maison Mayci a lovely coffee time spot though is the charming service and friendly charm of a cafe that is right on the money for local neighbourhood friendliness and top food options. It ticked many boxes. You can see why it’s popular, it has a touch of France in South Birmingham an escape from the hustle and bustle outside and the coffee is tres Bon. A place to return to again and again.

Un bel endroit (a beautiful place)

Maison Mayci also have a cafe in Moseley village which serves afternoon tea also.

Maison Mayci
8 Poplar road
Birmingham B14 7AG

0121 444 8167

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I purchased my own coffee and cake and all opinions expressed are my own and honest.

Have you been to Maison Mayci in Kings Heath or Moseley? What did you think?

http://www.maisonmayci.co.uk

Twitter: @maisonmayci

#TastyMorsel: New Openings: One Trick Pony Moseley Village


Moseley’s newest bar opened its doors on November 21st. The South Birmingham suburb is awash with newish bars with a healthy leaning to serving good food in revamped buildings.

Hot on the heals of The Dark Horse and The Village
The One Trick Pony Club replaces O’Neils on the Alcester Road, and brings American style diner food to Moseley Village.

It’s owned by small chain Castle Pubs who own the nearby The Fighting cocks Pub and the Junction in Harborne.

The One Trick Pony’s menu is named Ruby Jean’s with an american diner twist and has a very healthy vegetarian list of options including veggie breakfast and burgers and sharing plates. As you would expect in Moseley and nearby Kings Heath, vegetarians are well catered for and along with a varied meat menu looks a brilliant place for groups and couples.

The focus is thus for meat eaters on ribs, hot dogs, and burgers.

For ale enthusiasts their is a keen menu including my favourite Thwaites Wainwright ale, plus local purity brewery beers and Doom Bar. Plus guest ales.

On Tuesday’s every week, they have announced 2 for 1 on Burgers and roasts on Sunday (unsure as yet on veggie option)

From photographs i’ve seen so far the bar looks posher and more sophisticated and modern than O’Neils which was dated and had had its day. Therefore more like The Dark Horse and The Village in design.

The One Trick Pony Club looks food focused and with a chilled decor looks as if it will become a firm favourite in Moseley and the surrounding areas of Birmingham.

The Veggie food options via their menu on their website http://www.onetrickpony.co.uk are:

Snack and Share: A good looking Veggie board for £11.50.

Includes 4 Hippy Sliders, fried halloumi, Tempura vegetables, Nachos, Chipotle Jam, Guacamole and sour cream dips.

Plus Nachos, Chilli Fries, Chips and dips

On the main part of the menu there is:

Veggie Burgers

-Hippy Humous-Spinich, lentil, humous
-A Shroomaloomi- Flat Mushrooms and Halloumi burger
-A Hippy Deluxe- Flat Mushroom and Emmental burger

-A veg Mac and Cheese

-Veggie Sandwich- up to 5pm only

-A veggie Breakfast

Which in my book is a good selection 🙂 Food will be served until 10pm.

I’m Looking forward to reading further reports, and sampling some of the veggie options at Ruby Jean’s Diner.

Look out in the new year for this 🙂

http://www.onetrickpony.co.uk

@1trickponyclub

@rubyjeansdiner
http://www.rubyjeansdiner.com

93a Alcester Road
Moseley
Birmingham
B13 8DD
0121 442 3901

has anyone already tried The One Trick Pony Club? What did you think of the food?

Thanks for reading:)

Follow me on Twitter @andydhare

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MAC FOOD MARKET: 10-30-3.30pm SUNDAY 26TH OCTOBER


Indulge your culinary desires at The MAC, Edgbaston, Birmingham this Sunday 26th October 2014.

The MAC in Cannon Hill Park, is an excellent place to visit in the Autumn. The park lovely to stoll around, kicking leaves, feeding the ducks…

The food market is a monthly event (last Sunday of the month except in December) and features a host of local artisan producers, artisan bakers, and specialist food producers and street food vendors.

There will be loads for veggies to enjoy such as:

Kneals: Handmade chocolates
Hibiscus Grove: Authentic southeast Asian food
Hintons pies: including vegetarian pies.
Kuskus Foods: Middle Eastern Veggie and vegan food (see previous post)
The Vegan Grindhouse: 100% plant based vegan burgers and hot dogs, chillis and mobile with their new van 🙂

Buddha Belly: Home made Thai Street food
Vegetropolis: Local seasonal, organic, vegetables and fruit, plus bread, eggs and honey.

For a full list of vendors/stalls take a look at

http://macbirmingham.co.uk/event/food-market

The MAC Food Market takes place on the last Sunday of the month apart from in December when it is on the 21st.

Dates are: 26th October 2014
30th November 2014
21st December 2014

keep and eye on the MAC website for vendors, as month by month they can change.

http://www.macbirmingham.co.uk

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VEGGIEFOODIE GUIDE TO: CURRY RESTAURANTS


Today I’m introducing a new guide to my blog Veggie Foodie. This will be an occasional listing and musings on a different foodie topic. The list and guide isn’t a definitive but some of my favourites and recommendations to look out for.

To kick off, I’ve decided to look at Curry Restaurants in Birmingham, with a few from outside the area that i’ve come accross or visited.

Curry in its various guises is for many vegetarians and vegans their go to food. It is for me and often the first meal I have when I come back from a holiday abroad for instance.

For vegetarians, it seems it is the cuisine that we have the most options on the menu.

There are a number of pure vegetarian curry restaurants, sweet shops, and cafe’s in Birmingham

Deepalis: An Indian vegetarian restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter which is smart and offers a good range of dishes. Comes well recommended.

16 Hall Street, Jewellery Quarter, B18 6BS

0121 265 4726

http://www.deepalisrestaurant.co.uk

They also have a smaller cafe in Sparkbrook:

1A Alfred Road, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B11 4PB

Sangam A vegetearian Cafe/sweet centre. Authentic curries, samosas, Pakoras, bhajis, to eat in and take away. Highly recommended.

334 Soho Road, Handsworth B21 9NA

Milan Sweet Centre: Vegetarian sweet centre, cafe and resturant. Good choices and always busy.

191 Stoney Lane, Sparkbrook, Birmingham B12 8HB. 0121 449 1617

Jyoti restaurant together with sweet centre is one of my favourites, offering 72 main courses and 15 starters, with an autthentic sweet centre to take away or eat in. Highly recommended. A favourite of Jamie Oliver. A personal favourite.

1045 Stratford Road, Hall Green, B28 8AS.

0121 778 5501. Booking can be made online at http://www.jyotis.co.uk

Pop Up Dosa: Making vegetarian dosa at home, at markets, at cafe. Offering cooking classes, and pop ups. See them at Ort Cafe in Moseley/Balsall Heath. See previous review on my blog. Superb.

@popupdosa

http://www.popupdosablogspot.co.uk

My favourite curry restaurants that are superb for veggies are:

Lasan Restaurant: Contemporary, stylish and delicious, high end curry that packs a punch in lovely classy surroundings near St Pauls Square. A treat at any time. See previous review.

Lasan, 3-4 Dakota Buildings, James Street, St Pauls Square, Jewellery Quarter, B3 1SO 0121 212 3664

http://www.lasan.co.uk

Pushkar Restaurant: beautiful Cocktails, great curries, superb service on Broad Street. Highly recommended for that touch of class and sophistication.

Pushkar, 245 Broad street, Birmingham b1 2HQ

http://www.pushkardining.com

0121 643 7978

Ashas delicious curries, good veggie choices, consistent service, good lunch time deal and cocktails. Lovely restaurant, in central Birmingham off Colmore Row.

Ashas Restaurant: Edmund House, 12-22 Newhall Street B3 3LX

http://www.ashasrestaurant.com

0121 200-2767

Itihaas restaurant Exquisite, Indian food, lovely colonial style environment with superb attentive service. Excellent vegetarian options. Recommended.

Itihaas also have a cafe in Selfridges Food Hall. Eat in or take away.

18 Fleet Street, Birmingham, B3 1JL

0121 212-3383.

http://www.itihaas.co.uk

Also to be recommended are:

Punjabi Rasoi:Authentic Cooking and attentive service in Acocks Green Birmingham.

Kababish: Long standing curry house in Moseley, excellent curries, consistent with good service. Next to the Patrick Kavanagh pub. Recommended.

Maharaja: Long standing and consistent. Old style service, and authentic curries. The saag paneer is superb. Next door to the Hippodrome on Hurst Street.

Raja Monkey cafe superb dosas, talis and curries. A lovely take away too. Owned by the Lasan Group.

Also on my radar are:

EastZEast new curry restaurant on Broad Street. Had good and tasty reviews. Good veggie options. ‘The home of Punjabi cooking’

Horseshoe: Refurbished old pub in Hall Green. Recommended by Paul Fulford of the Birmingham Mail.

Sylhet Spice on York Road, Kings Heath. Has a good reputation locally and also does takeaways. Always busy. Loyal regulars.

Imlees in Moseley, on the Alcester Road also has a good reputation and a bring your own bottle policy. Always busy.

Al Frash: On LadyPool Road, perenial favourite, balti dishes and bring your own.

Delhi 6: Sutton Coldfield favourite: Good reviews and recommendations. Good veggie options.

Street Food:

Becky’s Bhajis: Onion bhajis sold at food markets and street food days. Vegetarian and vegan friendly.

Outside Birmingham:

Mendhi Vegetarian Indian Restaurant in Droitwich Worcestershire. Comes recomended. Pure vegetarian curries.

Prashad vegetarian restaurant near Bradford Yorkshire: Gordon Ramsey favourite With a Superb cookbook. Always popular and run the Veggie hour on Twitter once a month.
One to visit.

Also in Yorkshire, North to be precise and Leeds to be exact, is an Indian vegetarian restaurant called Hansa. Which is Gujarati and run by all women. I have heard good reports. They have won
Cobra good curry awards, and also have a vegetarian Indian cook book like Prashad.

Bernares Berkeley Square London: A superb Indian Restaurant. High end and Michelin Starred. One of the best curries i’ve ever had in glam Mafair.

As I’ve said it isn’t a definitive list and I will add to it as I go along.

If anybody has any favourites that serve good veggie dishes please let me know either in the comment box below or via twitter @andydhare

Thanks for reading.

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Lasan Restaurant

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Pushkar Restaurant

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Pop up Dosa

KUSKUS FOODS: VEGETARIAN STREET FOOD HEAVEN AT A FARMERS MARKET NEAR YOU


Streetfoodin Birmingham is a major success story, yet there aren’t that many completely Vegetarian and vegan traders that showcase their food.

One of the vegetarian and vegan traders is KuskusFoods who specialise in vegetarian food inspired by the Middle East.

They are a family business who produce quality freshly prepared inspirational receipes for Farmers Markets, Corporate events, and private functions.

A real vegetarian and vegan food hero.

Begining over 20 years ago, Moses the chef learnt his recipes in the Middle East and then had the idea of creating a business that would attend farmers markets showcasing all he learnt in the countries he visited. Fresh, healthy, Middle Eastern food.

Moseley Farmers Market is one of the places to find KusKus foods where they provide high quality veggie and vegan dishes.

Kus Kus Foods are Vegetarian Society approved and can be found at Moseley Farmers Market on the last Saturday of the month and the MAC food fair on the last Sunday of the month. This weekend. As well as Solihull, Stratford Upon Avon and Harborne on other dates. See below.

Note They will be at The Malvern Autumn show this weekend. Saturday and Sunday.

Dishes such as
Lebanese Falafal with naked humous,
Arabic veggie kebabs with sweet chilli,
Lebanese Mousaaka,
Moroccan plum and sweet potato tagine.

are available at the venues below.

The food by Kus Kus Foods sounds yummy, I haven’t tried it yet, but please look out for them at a food market near you.

Kus Kus Foods for a taste of veggie/vegan food heaven.

Office: 0121 373 2805
@kuskusfoods
http://www.kuskusfoods.co.uk

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INDEPENDENT BIRMINGHAM (Believe in Birmingham)


Birmingham is thriving as a city of independent businesses. It is quite easy to believe the opposite looking around the Bull Ring and the high street. More and more independents, shops, cafe’s and restaurants are now thriving in and around the city centre.

Independent Birmingham is the flag waving movement and website of all things independent in Birmingham.

IB as it known is dedicated to unearthing the very best of Birmingham’s hidden gems and best kept secrets with the aim of encouraging people to re-discover the city we love.

The ethos of supporting businesses with a local leaning and conscience is superb in my opinion, some of the best places to go in Birmingham City Centre and its neighbourhoods are independent and offer friendliness and a uniqueness that chains don’t provide.

Independent Birmingham provide a year long membership card for £15 or two for £20.

The card provides discounts and deals in signed up shops, bars and restaurants. It is a unique pass to a sunshine of localism and top quality places that provide an experience as well as uniqueness.

Their website http://www.independent-Birmingham.co.uk provide a directory of all outlets signed up.

Independent Birmingham announce new additions to the card frequently so keep an eye open for more.

Recent additions are The Electric Cinema in the city centre who are offering IB card holders 2-4-1 tickets on standard seats form Sunday-Thursday, Rico Libre tapas in Digbeth who are offering 10% off breakfasts and tapas excluding Saturday evening, Itihaas Restaurant, 20% off Sunday-Thursday and The Coffee Lounge on Newhall Street 10% off and 20% off for afternoon tea for 2 people.

They have recently announced places such as, Vintage Hideaway, Fletchers Bar and The Sun at the Station and Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath and the Dark Horse pub, Cafephillia, and The Java Lounge in Moseley.

Plus Michelin starred restaurant Adams in the city centre, Ju Ju’s cafe by Brindley Place have joined along with the Jekyll and Hyde pub are offering 20% from Monday to Thursday off food. See website for full offers.

Keep on eye on their twitter and Facebook accounts for further details, new additions and discounts.

Others already signed up include:

Stirling’s bar and lounge, Loki wine, The Victoria bar, The Bureau, Brewsmith’s coffee and tea, 6/8 Kaffe, Cherry Reds, Alfie Birds, Rose Villa Tavern, The Church inn in the Jewellery Quarter, Urban Coffee Shop, Home is where..cafe and deli, Island Bar, Twist, The Sun on The Hill in the city centre.

For more see the website directory on
http://www.independent-Birmingham.co.uk.

Or you can sign up for the Independent Birmingham blog via their website and sign up for the card on the website too.

If anyone has any personal favourites and wants to recommend places please feel free to leave a comment below at,

Twitter @independentB’ham
Facebook independent Birmingham community
Hello@independent-Birmingham.co.uk

Or at Twitter @andydhare or on the comments section below.

Thanks for reading Veggie Foodie.