Category Archives: vegetarian

Vegetarian and Vegan ChangeKitchen now serving at refurbished Stirchley Baths, Stirchley, Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, Breakfasts, Brunch, Cafés and Restaurants, Cake, Coffee, healthy, Independent, Stirchley, Tea Shops, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   
 

ChangeKitchen CIC cafe at Stirchley Baths is open Tuesday Wednesday Thursday AND Friday 10-3. 

Serving hot drinks & cake, full lunches or snacks . The food is ethical, locally sourced and organic. It is fully vegetarian and vegan (with gluten free options available) 

They do cappuccino & latte (made with organic fairtrade coffee grown by women’s cooperatives) , lots of herbal infusions – and proper tea. 

Their food is home made and fresh, and includes Homity pie, (potato pie with caramelised onions and cheese), mushroom and spinach lasagne, and includes Vegan versions. 

  Photo taken by myself at Vegan Beer Festival last year. 

Run by Birgit Kehrer and her team ChangeKitchen is an award winning event caterer and thriving social enterprise. 

They’ve catered for corporate events, weddings, community gatherings and have run hugely popular pop up cafes since 2010. They have participated at The Vegan Beer festival last year at Two Towers Brewery and at Vegan fairs. As well as the Kings Heath Food Assembly. 

ChangeKitchen Offer innovative vegetarian and vegan menus, all carefully put together using the finest local, organic and seasonal ingredients. 
The ChangeKitchen food philosophy is a simple one. They create and serve delicious, nutritious and ethical dishes that can be shared and enjoyed by all. ”

At Stirchley Baths there is free In-house WIFI too. 

The building at Stirchley Baths has recently been renovated, and is lovely to browse around and look at the beauty the new/old Stirchley Baths is/has become. 

It has taken many months to convert the old baths into the new community centre. They’ve managed to pair modern facilities with the heritage of the building to preserve memories but in a space that enables them and you to also create new ones. 

These baths are a grade ii listed building. Open initially in 1911 (Edwardian) the site has been derelict for three decades and cost £4 million to restore. 

  

   
 There are regular clubs, activities and rooms to hire (see website for details) with plans to develop a community cinema over the next few months. 

On the 20th February Stirchley Baths will be the site for the first Stirchley Vegan Fair. 

And ChangeKitchen will be selling its tasty ware in the cafe and the hall alongside tasty other vegan food. 

  
http://www.changekitchen.co.uk/

https://m.facebook.com/ChangeKitchen/

Home

https://twitter.com/stirchleybaths?lang=en-gb

http://stirchleybaths.org/heritage-culture-and-arts/heritage-2/the-project/

You can find Stirchley Baths at 

2-4 Bournville Lane, Birmingham B30 2JT. 

0121-464 9072.

  
   
 

Photos courtesy of ChangeKitchen and Stirchley Baths. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Digbeth Dining Club returns: Opening Party, Street Closure on Friday 29th January.

Posted in Birmingham, Digbeth, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Street Food, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

Today sees the return of Digbeth Dining Club after a Christmas break. Back with an opening street closure party, it promises to be a feast of Street food by some of the best street food traders in town. 

Some as a vegetarian may feel that this  is not for them, but with 15 traders showcasing their grub on the night, there must be something for Veggies to enjoy. 

Well looking at the list I can spot Buddha Belly, one of the best street food traders for Vegetarians, winners of 2014 best street food traders serving delicious Thai food. 

   
Menu for Buddha Belly tonight. 

 I can see Becky’s Bhajis, who can resist freshly cooked Bhaji’s or maybe Bournville Waffle Company. 
Try crepes from Victoria Creperie or Pizza from Baked in Brick. Or The jabberwocky’s toasties. 

That looks like a feast to me! 

If you can’t make it tomorrow I’ve attached the line up for the whole of February for some serious foodie perusal with plenty of Vegetarian possibilities.

This includes Pietanic and Indian Rasoi on the 5th and Barebones Pizza, Bournville Waffle Company and Buddha Belly on the 12th. 

The street takeover is £1.50 entry from 5-late. Address on the poster. 

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

   
 

New Vegan and Vegetarian coffee lounge to open in Birmingham City Centre. 

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, healthy, Independent, Lunch, vegan, vegetarian, Vegetarian takeaways, Veggie foodie by

Exciting news has reached me that a new Vegan and Vegetarian coffee shop is set to open in Birmingham City Centre.

Called 3 Three’s Coffee Lounge it’s based in a unit in Martineau Place just off Corporation Street (the street by WH Smiths and Sainsbury’s). 

It’s not open yet, but according to their Facebook page, not long. 

Note: Due to own on the 6th April. 

https://m.facebook.com/3threescoffee/

Looking at their website they will sell a mixture of sandwiches, wraps, paninis, soups, salads and cakes, plus coffee and soft drinks. 

http://www.3threescoffee.com/

Most of the menu it seems is suitable for Vegans and offers meat style options (sandwiches, wraps) as well non meat style options such as hummus, avocados and roasted peppers. 

I’m looking forward to hopefully finding some interesting salads and warming soups as well as good quality coffee and cakes. 

Hopefully the food will be a leader for interesting vegetarian and vegan lunch time options and be a firm favourite with Brummies and visitors alike. 

   

  
 

  
Of course the proof will be in the quality of the food and coffee. Hopefully items will be made in house or from local suppliers.

The joy of course will be in the trying out. 

Any venture of this kind deserves support and is a positive start in creating a more defined informal vegetarian and vegan lunch stop in central Birmingham. 

The coffee shop is now open keep an eye on their Facebook page and website for updates. 

  
http://www.3threescoffee.com/

3 Three’s Coffee Lounge, Unit 8, 17-19 Martineau Place, Birmingham 

Photos courtesy of their facebook page. 

Jan-Feb Food Pop Ups at Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham.

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

    
If you live in Birmingham it can’t of escaped your notice how popular Streetfood has become over the last few years. Events such as Brum Yum Yum and Digbeth Diner have taken the art of street food and made it a core part of the Birmingham foodie week and month. 

Twice a year the lovely Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath have a months worth of food pop ups where their kitchens are handed over to small independent places to showcase their food in a more formal setting. 

This month sees the above luminaries test out their grub on the hungry Kings Heath masses, (with some good beer on the side). 

In particular Pietanic’s this week will be offering a veg scotch egg served with real ale chutney and a winter vegetables and wild mushroom pie. Plus a homemade salted caramel brownie for £15. 

   

   
 

Also on the menu are Canadian Gourmet Street Food peeps Caribou Poutine who have Vegetarian gravy options.

Original Don-Hand cut fries, cheese curd and homemade gravy. 

The big veggie Liz- creamy cabbage, English Stilton

Say cheese- Swiss Gruyere and English Stilton. 

Plus a Canadian butter Tarts and maple crunch ice cream 

Two courses for £10.

Please note the pop up change for Thursday 25th February is not now Buddha Belly but Yogiyo Korean kitchen who have a vegetarian option though details are not up on the Hare and Hounds website. 

  

Tickets and details for Pietanic takeover on January 28th:

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12614525

Tickets and details for Grub London and Crazy P on February 11th.

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12612484

Tickets and details for Caribou Poutine on February 18th.

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12612487

Tickets and details for Yogiyo Korean Food on February 25th.

http://hareandhoundskingsheath.skiddletickets.com/event.php?id=12612487

Please note that the Baked in Brick pop up on the 9th February is sold out, but didn’t include veggie options anyway. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

You can find Hare and Hounds on High Street, Kings Heath (corner of York Road) Birmingham B14 7JZ.

Opus Restaurant launches new Vegetarian menu. 

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

   
 
During the last few years I’ve visited Opus Restaurant numerous times and have always been impressed by their passion and belief in the locally sourced produce they obtain from the area surrounding the restaurant. The Source Dinner series held over the course of the year highlights this. In particular for Vegetarians the Vegetarian Source Dinner in July is a real highlight and a must do on my foodie calendar. 

Worcester Produce from Pershore, Worcestershire provide the vegetables, fruit and produce for that dinner and the link is now deepened with the new introduction this month of a seasonally changing Vegetarian menu which uses their produce all year round. 

Opus’ vegetarian dishes have always been stunningly  made, taking seasonal produce and making accessible and tasty dishes that showcase this ethos off to its maximum. 

See below for examples from their last Source vegetarian dinner.

   
 

The new Opus Restaurant vegetarian menu replaces for veggies the A La Carte menu, by offering a dedicated menu that changes monthly to reflect the produce on offer from the farmers. 

There is also a Vegan option on each course.

It is available for lunch and dinner.

The A’La Carte is still available for non vegetarians who can now choose from both menus. 

The winter Vegetarian Menu is listed below. 

 

For the A’La Carte menu and Market Menu which is retained see below:

Click to access A-LA-CARTE-MARKET.pdf

The Market Menu is also available offering two courses for £20 including a Vegetarian Starter and Main Course (price includes home baked bread and tea or filter- coffee) see above link for details. 

I’m looking forward to trying the new Vegetarian menu soon and for me this cements Opus as one of the best places for vegetarians to visit in Birmingham. 

Review of Vegetarian Source Dinner with Worcester Produce:

http://t.co/WkopBcpQ9P

Opus leads the way on sustainability:

https://t.co/3tmU7L7Y2V

  

   

    
    
 Four photos above courtesy of Opus.

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

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

Opus Restaurant, 54 Cornwall Street, Birmingham, B3 2DE.

0121-200-2323.

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

The next vegetarian source dinner with Worcester Produce is on Friday 19th August 7pm costing £65 for five courses. 

   
 

A tale of three drinks: Wine, Detox cocktails and Smoothies at Opus restaurants. 

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

   
 

Some of us at this time of year are thinking of either our health or our wallets or both. Birmingham Is generally very good at promoting its non alcoholic cocktails, and smoothies, but this month The Opus Restaurants are offering some good deals.

Opus of Cornwall Street have introduced their  January Wine Sale – Monday 4th January to Saturday 30th January.
From these dates you can Enjoy 50% off selected bottles of wine at Opus at Cornwall Street’s annual January wine sale. With 18 bottles to choose from including red, white, rose and dessert, wine enthusiasts can enjoy a range of fruity, spicy and velvety drinks. From the powerful but elegant ‘Valpolicella Ripaso’, a deep ruby red that is usually £35 but will cost just £17.50, to the soft ‘Auxey-Duresses Blanc’, a rich but relatively soft drink with orange blossom and lime notes that usually costs £75 but will be just £37.50, this is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy an old favourite at half price or to try something new.

To see the full wine sale menu, take a look here: http://www.opusrestaurant.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/JANUARY-WINE-SALE.pdf

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

Cafe Opus at Ikon Gallery: 
The cafe have introduced a number of  Detox Smoothies, packed full of healthy ingredients and sold All day, every day.

   
 
  
Cafe Opus will be serving three delicious smoothies – ‘Ginger Spice’, ‘Green and Clean’ and ‘All About The Berries’. All smoothies contain healthy ingredients, which are full of antioxidants and fibre to help purge those festive toxins. 

Each smoothie costs £3.50 and can be enjoyed to drink in or takeaway. 

To find out more about events happening at Cafe Opus at Ikon, visit: 

http://www.cafeopus.co.uk/

  

Bar Opus from the outside, AH

   
 Bar Opus at One SnowHill have introduced a number of Detox cocktails if you are Bidding the booze goodbye this month with Dry January or just want to cut down on alcohol or you are the designated driver. 
Luckily for you, Bar Manager Sam has whipped up some delicious alcohol-free cocktails for your January health kick. 

With six flavours to choose from including beetroot, pear, banana, carrot and ginger, apple, and kale and cucumber, these detox drinks are the perfect solution to not drinking but still going out. 
Cocktails are £3 each or £15 per case of 6. 

   
 Plus , Bar Opus have introduced  Wow Weekend – Every Friday and Saturday.

If you’ve got an Opus loyalty card then enjoy 50% off Prosecco from 5pm on Friday and all day Saturday. 
Opus loyalty cards can be picked up from Opus at Cornwall Street, Cafe Opus at Ikon and Bar Opus at One Snowhill and can be used in connection with other fabulous offers, including gaining 10p points for every £1 spent.

http://baropus.co.uk/

Whatever you do this year have a healthy one. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊
All photos apart from one are courtesy of Opus Restaurants. 

#Tastymorsel: Great deals at vegetarian 1847. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Food, Independent, Lunch deals, Organic, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
  

Vegetarian restaurant Bistro 1847 has a number of offers that are  perfect for those enjoying Veganuary (try vegan for a month) or cutting back after the festive season. 

In Birmingham you can Enjoy £40 worth of food for just £20 via Dine Birmingham. Full T&C available here.

http://www.dinebirmingham.co.uk/offers/birmingham-restaurant-deals-january-restaurant-offers-birmingham/#sthash.rjlvphFB.dpbs

   
 
For my latest review of the Winter Menu, see here:

https://t.co/p2wLZcZfFg

Veggie Sunday Lunch Watch:

Bistro 1847 are also open every Sunday in Birmingham – new for 2016 from 1200 – 2000 offering a choice of Vegetarian and Vegan roasts with 3 courses for £17 plus kids eat free! 

I’m certainly tempted. 

Book on their website 
http://www.by1847.com/
  

Bistro 1847 also have Valentines menus available on their website for Valentines weekend, February 12-14th. 

Book directly on their website. 

http://by1847.com/

Valentines menu: 

Click to access ValentinesMenu2016.pdf

Vegan and Gluten Free options will also be available.

  

For details of Veganuary see here:

Home

  
   
   
Bistro 1847 are still doing their classic lunch deal.

  
Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

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

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

Veggie Dish of the Day: Chinese Green Gai Lan at Henry Wong, Harborne, Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Cantonese, Chinese, Cocktails, Harborne, Independent, vegetarian by

   
For Vegetarians seeking a sophisticated but different kind of meal, with an extensive vegetarian menu Henry Wong in Harborne in South Birmingham is just the ticket. Specialising in Cantonese food Henry Wong presents exquisitely flavoured and classically presented dishes with a golden service. 

Set in a stylish dining room, with a rich woodwork and leather seating lounge bar area (serving cocktails) Henry Wong is a place for all occasions, but is becoming a place for Ruth and I to visit for celebrations as on this occasion to celebrate Ruth’s birthday late last year. 

We had visited Henry Wong before last year and had a fantastic evening. 

See my review:

https://vegiefoodie.com/2015/06/08/review-henry-wong-harborne/ 

    

One of the Vegetarian main courses on the menu is Chinese Green Gai Lan with Ginger and Shaoshing Wine. A dish so simple looking but packing a huge flavour of tongue and senses twisting exoticness that with that taste you begin to believe in the afterlife. 

The thick stemmed tender and crisp Chinese vegetable Gai Lan (also known as Kai Lan) is a bit like broccoli, served simply with the light touch of ginger and Shaoshing wine, it’s a delightfully shiny, and glossy dish, tossed simply with the ginger and Shaoshing wine, the warmth of the ginger balances the pronounced taste of the Gai Lan with an intensified cooling flavour kick lingering long on the palette. 

It’s an aromatic dish of substance and a vegetarian essential not to be missed at luxurious Henry Wong. 

 Chinese Green Gai Lan with Ginger and Shaoshing wine. £9.50.   A beautiful glossy dish eaten best with a couple of shared dishes (or another vegetarian dish) and some sticky rice. 

   Cocktails at Henry Wong.

   

 Last two photos courtesy of Henry Wong.

With thanks to owner Parm Rai, chef Ricky Wu and a special thanks to restaurant manager Marianne Ho and her team for helping us celebrate Ruth’s Birthday with their exemplary service.

We paid for our food and drinks at Henry Wong, but received a 25% discount from Parm as it was a special occasion. My review is honest as always and I was not required to review or write about my experience.

Henry Wong, 283 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 9QH.

http://henrywongharborne.co.uk/

http://henrywongharborne.co.uk/menus/food-menu/

#Veggielunchwatch: Maison Mayci, Kings Heath, Birmingham. 

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

   

    

Maison Mayci on Poplar Road, Kings Heath is one of my favourite places to visit. I’m a big fan of its neighbourhood Continental atmosphere and delicious homemade fresh bread and cakes which are fantastic to take away. Open in the daytime it caters for coffee and cake, lunch and on weekends brunch and is very child friendly.

Maison Mayci has a unique charm and friendliness about it. Lunch times are popular, especially at weekends when the Kings Heath masses fancy a bite or to catch up with friends. For Vegetarians, it has a varied menu that has enough different options for repeated visits. 

Ruth and I visited as we do quite frequently on a Saturday lunchtime. 

I chose the Veggie Platter, which is substantial in size and comes with its own fresh bread basket. 
  Fresh toasted bread at Maison Mayci.

 Veggie Platter:

 Celeriac remoulade, Roasted Mediterranean vegetables, Stuffed Vine Leaves, homemade hummus, Grated Carrot and Tartare Potato.

A good value veggie platter, nice rounded flavours, the roasted vegetables including peppers are delucioys, and compliment the lovely stuffed vine leaves which I could of eaten more of. The addition of the potatoes makes for a filling lunch, filled with varied ingredients and sufficient contrast in flavours. 

It’s a lovely dish, and with the added fresh in house bread substantial. The bread in its own is worthy of a bite, but together they are well recommended. 

    

Ruth ate a traditional Croque Monsieur sandwich, which came with potatoes and salad. She omitted the potatoes and had fries instead. 

She enjoyed the good ham and the addition of the fries for an extra 50p.

 The Vegetarian ‘Mediterranean’ is especially good. Also available is the Pear and Roquefort.

The sandwiches are recommended too at Maison Mayci. 
  

A top notch espresso at Maison Mayci in Kings Heath.

 
  

  

   Cappuccino 

  

  
Maison Mayci is a thriving and busy cafe. The quality of its patisserie, coffee and bread make it worth dropping by for that indulgence alone, But, it’s the quality of its main rustic lunch time menu that make it worthy of lingering longer. With daily soup, pasta and quiche specials also available  Vegetarians are well catered for and can enjoy the rich traditional French Patisserie and bistro experience for affordable prices. The service has a personal but professional approach, charming and efficient, which only adds to the intimate experience. 

Maison Mayci is a true independent and chic jewel in Kings Heath and offers a unique haven for all things Francais and a home from home in its vibrancy and delicious menu. 

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

We paid for our own food and drink in Maison Mayci. All opinions are my own and honest as always. 

Maison Mayci, 8 Poplar Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 7AQ.

Evening reservation

http://www.mayci.co.uk/menu.html

Maison Mayci are also open in Moseley at 148 Alcester Road, B13 8HS.

You can also receive 20% off all Afternoon Tea in Moseley (must be booked in advance) with the Independent Birmingham card. 

Home

My previous Coffee time review of Maison Mayci. 

https://vegiefoodie.com/tag/maison-mayci/

   
 Cake at Maison Mayci. 

Winter menu review: An 1847 Christmas in Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Christmas, City Centre, Colmore business district, Independent, Lunch deals, Organic, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

What does Winter mean to you? A cosy fire, warming comfortable food, deep intense flavours, Christmas, Milky sunshine, snow?

 In 1847 (the year the vegetarian society which Bistro 1847 takes its name from was formed) Winter was very different, but had for some those comfy elements. For others poverty and cold filled the darkening destitute days with a penniless existence. There was fog in London, Famine in Ireland, times were hard and a Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens had been written four years before. 

For me, food is best comforting, warming seasonal and filled with the intensity of deep flavours and cheerfully rich colours that only a Winter time dish deserves. So you’ll find root vegetables, cabbage, red onion gravy, kale and hearty mash on the menu. 

Bistro 1847 are in full on expansion mode. Openings recently in Bristol and Brighton supplement the Manchester and Birmingham restaurants. Dishes served with contemporary flair and passion which just happen to be Vegetarian with good Vegan options and menu make 1847 unique in Birmingham. With a neighbourhood feel in the city and cocktail list its charming. 

I visited with my parents and brother to try the new Winter menu’s delights, one mild lunchtime. 

We enjoyed two courses, a main and a desert. 

   

Merguez and Mash: 

Spicy Puy lentil sausage, turnip and sage mash, red onion gravy.

A hearty vegan friendly main course, big flavoured, spicy, a deep intense gravy. It’s comfort food at its best. It’s simple in design, almost traditional, but those hearty slightly exotic flavours pack a punch that creates a harmonious wintry and Christmas memory lane delight of a main. 

To accompany it I enjoyed a glass of decent house red that worked, bringingout the deep flavours of the sausage and red onion gravy.


  

  Chocolate and Pear:

Soft ganache, port poached pear, gingerbread, mulled wine gel. (Vegan)

A gem of a pudding, and the best I’ve tasted at 1847. It felt luxurious and with a deep and full flavoured port poached pear which set off the soft, dark chocolatey ganache,  it was heavenly, creamy (but no cream) and made me think, can I have some more please? 

    ‘Fish and Chips’

Ginger ale battered Halloumi, triple cooked chips, savoury lemon curd, green pea and Basil. 

A Bistro 1847 signature dish that my brother lapped up. A variation on the norm due to the added ginger ale. Cheese heaven! 

  

My parents also had the Merguez and mash. They said it felt like winter on a plate. 

  
  A welcome to Winter

  
  Cheese board. 

My Dad enjoyed his British cheese plate for desert, which he said was a good size with the right amount of varied biscuits. Local to 1847 they come with grapes and homemade chutney. Nice cheeses. 

 

A trip to Bistro 1847 is a refreshing and inventive experience for Vegetarians and Vegans. When the classics are spun into another more modern realm of intricacy, simplicity and beauty then Winter feels more 2015 than 1847. Dishes are more precise, but not less indulgent and comforting for it. With the core elements of familiarity and comfort 1847 have taken the season and made it now, but with a certain doff of the cap to the past. It is on this level where it succeeds and in its discovery where appetites are more than satisfied. 

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

Disclosure: We paid for our own meal at Bistro 1847. My views are my own and honest of my experience of the dishes eaten. 

   
 

Click to access b-menu.pdf

Click to access b-menu-desersts.pdf

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

http://by1847.com/

Two courses on the winter menu cost £19.50 and three cost £25.