Category Archives: vegetarian

#Veggiebreakfastwatch: Kitchen Garden Cafe: Kings Heath.

Posted in Birmingham, Breakfasts, Brunch, Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, Kings Heath, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Veggie foodie brunch breakfasts by

The full veggie as I call it can come in many different forms. Some with veggie sausage, some without, some with fried egg, some with scrambled. Some with beans on the plate, some (my preference) in its own pot. There’s no right or wrong way, but for me generally it’s all in the egg. The egg, and how it’s made, can make or break a breakfast. I always hope it oozes and has a lively bright yellow yolk. But then that’s the thing about eggs, the joy is in the beholder. The choice is yours. At least at The Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath it’s free range and in this case organic. 

  
  
The Kitchen Garden Cafe on York Road In Kings Heath is a funky kind of place. It’s wooden rustic tables look like they’ve seen a lot of the years. It’s their ethos of organic produce and veggie friendly menu that makes this place a jewel in Kings Heath. With a garden centre, deli and live music and events programme attached to it, it’s a place for all occasions and has a real community feel. 

There are numerous vegetarian breakfast options, that also include the veggie hash potato with onions with a choice of grilled Mediterranean vegetables and a free range egg, (see review below)  pancakes and eggs florentine. 

http://t.co/aFE5Y6AVLD

The Kitchen Garden Full Vegetarian includes veggie sausages, mushrooms, baked beans, free range egg (fried or poached) grilled tomato, fries slice and toast (Brown or white) for a bargain £6.95. 

  
It’s a delicious breakfast, in fact almost perfect. Good veggie sausages, a perfect runny fried egg. Only where it falls down is with the mushrooms, which are a bit hard I this occasion, but I’ve had it before when they’ve been perfectly cooked. The beans are on the plate (not to everyone’s taste, but ok for me.) I like the fried bread slice. Always welcome, and not greasy or oily but just enough to make it fried bread, so not too unhealthy. 

I like the Kitchen Garden Full veggie. It’s a good size, good value and with a coffee or tea a nice way to begin the day in a funky ethical and free range kind of place. Again service is friendly, relaxed and staff are happy to adapt the dish for dietary or other requirements (such as the beans) yes you Ruth!

My parents also enjoyed their veggie breakfasts and have become big fans of The Kitchen Garden Cafes home cooked food. 

It’s a lovely place for any time of day. Though breakfasts are only served until 12. 

      

     For pudding. 

  Cappucino 

  For afters Homemade Fruit Cake. 

   

          
   
 

Thanks for reading

Andy 😊

I paid for my breakfast. All opinions are my own. 

You can find The Kitchen Garden Cafe on York Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham. 

Review: Leon, Natural Fast Food in New Street Station, Birmingham. 

Posted in Birmingham, Breakfasts, Brunch, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Coffee, Coffee Time, healthy, Lunch, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie Burgers, Veggie foodie by

  

Now just imagine this..healthy fast food..now that’s a discovery..imagine all fast food was healthy. How many Marmite crisps would you eat? Now that’s probably just me, I think I’m the only sane person in the world that likes them, hey what do you mean, insane? No seriously healthy fast food, that’s the domain of Leon, yes even their chips which are baked. 

I love much of vegetarian style fast food, a veggie pie, a good veggie burger, a slice of pizza, sweet potato fries, and eating chips on Aldeburgh beach in Suffolk, yum..no surprise to anyone who follows my blog. Yet, healthy fast food, is a new one on me. In fact it’s a new one for Birmingham to, if the rise of Five Guys burger chain is anything to go by..big anti vegetarian Yuk! (Oh dear sorry) (must remember to not get so cross!) 

Leon has recently opened its first store in Birmingham temptingly close to the main atrium of the New Street Station / Grand Central complex. With branches famously in London for 11 years and an expansion plan in place, Leon will become more familiar outside of the capital in due course. Serving food from breakfast until evening. The menu includes burgers, wraps and superfood salads as well as breakfast baps, breakfast muffins, smoothies, and coffee. Fast Naturally Food with an excellent vegetarian and vegan choice. 

Wow, The Leon menu covers every moment. 

As its in New Street Station just below the shiny new Grand Central it will naturally be a top choice for the commuter and those on the move. It’s also a very good choice for families with lots of choice for children, with the smaller pots ideal for the younger foodie. (See children’s menu at foot of my review) 

Though quite small inside the turnover of tables appears quite quick which is helpful. The decor is industrial feeling, but is light and feels bigger with tables not on top of each other. Plenty of space for cases, bags and buggies. It has a friendly feel and staff are happy to advise on dietary needs and ingredients in the dishes. Service is also prompt and the restaurant tables are kept tidy and clean. 

All food and drink on the menu is made fresh daily. Their coffee is fair trade and organic, as are their eggs, milk and porridge oats. Leon are also a founding member of the Sustainable restaurant association. 

   
   
Leon was founded in 2004 and only employ people who are “full of sun”, (not full of chips). The award-winning, London-based company is as I’ve said the healthy side of fast food with a notable leaning towards Vegetarian and Vegan dishes. 

Take the Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Chinichurri: In my case onion, courgettes, pomegranate, roasted with turmeric and cumin with alioli and baked fries. (Side extra). £5.10 plus £2.50 for the fries. 

Packaged in a nice box, the inner cauliflower Salad packed plenty of flavour, cauliflower has always been a personal favourite and though I asked for a recommendation I knew I wanted to try this dish. The dish full of fresh flavours, crunchy textures with a good turmeric and cumin finish, was delicious. It felt healthy and nutritious,  it felt warming and filling and good value for the price. 

The Baked fries on this occasion I hasten to add were not so good, though packing plenty of potato flavour they were not to hot and felt disappointing in the end. I like the sprinkled seasoning and the curly look though and would order them again, as i’m sure they could be done better. Nice alioli though. 

With my food I ordered a Flat White. Though their were delicious juices and smoothies and coconut water on the menu an opportunity to try a coffee never escapes me, and it was a very good flat white, great for a take away. 

(My Recommendation was the Halloumi wrap by the way,which I’m looking forward to trying along with the supper food salads.)

  
   
  Baked Fries 

 
  
  
Roasted Cauliflower salad 

Leon is a chain, and though I’m not usually a massive fan of chains I’m a big fan of what I’ve seen and experienced thus far. It’s because they do care about Vegetarians and Vegans, about the food we eat and about the ethics of it all. Yes, Birmingham has another chain, and yes I wish somebody independent could offer this kind of food, this kind of experience, but until that happens Leon will be a place I’ll call back to any time of day. It’s ethos should be applauded and the food on offer with its high nutritious leaning eaten. Food should taste good, and if it can do you good as well even better and for this Leon is a vegetarian friend. 

  

  

Leon cookbooks available at all good booksellers.   

  

Click to access 16.PAPER_MENU_2015_AUTUMN.pdf

http://leonrestaurants.co.uk/restaurants/birmingham/

http://leonrestaurants.co.uk/menu/children/

http://leonrestaurants.co.uk/vision/sourcingsustainability/

You can find Leon in Birmingham at Unit 25, New Street Station B2 4QA. 

0121-643-5925. 

Open from 6.30am-10pm every day apart from Sunday which is 8am-10pm. 

I paid for my meal in full at Leon. My views are my own, honest as always. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Review: Tapas Revolution, Grand Central, Birmingham. 

Posted in Bars, Birmingham, Breakfasts, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Spanish, Tapas, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

 Birmingham’s ramp that leads from New Street into the new shiny Grand Central is a ramp of legend. How many Brummie kids have met friends, dates or family on or at the foot of the ramp. The ramp as I’ll call it leads into a world of food and shopping, oh and yes something to do with trains. (New Street Station)

The first restaurant you see when you enter from New Street is Tapas Revolution the shiny small group of Spanish Tapas cafe, bars and restaurants owned by Omar Allibhoy. Inspired by the tapas bars of his native Madrid Tapas Revolution is open from breakfast until bedtime, for food or drinks, at the bar or at a table, the choice is yours. 

With four restaurants in London, Grand Central is the first outside of London to open and much is expected of the restaurant in the revamped shiny new Birmingham shopping paradise. 

 
   

The Restaurant as you enter is open plan with half walls seperating  it from the shopping centre.  You can sit as we did overlooking the station below or around the busier kitchen. The station view seats are more private for couples or smaller groups or families. 

We visited on a Monday evening so the station and the restaurant were quite quiet but still had a nice atmosphere. I was impressed though that you didn’t notice the station noise below. It felt private. 

   

 The menu at Tapas Revolution is split equally into Meat, Fish and Veg tapas with a section also for nibbles (Picoteo). 

As Ruth and I were here to sample the tapas that’s what we did. You can enjoy Spanish burgers of which one is vegetarian (Tortilla burger) and of course breakfast (again there is a vegetarian option).

Having eaten some of the best veggie tapas In San Sebastián, in North Spain I’ve ever eaten (called Pinxtos) at bars with such an array of food that it looks quite daunting but isn’t at all, I have a little idea of authenticity which Omar is trying to replicate in the UK. 

 Sweet cutlery holder. 

  

We began with drinks. I ordered the Spanish gin based “Pomada” Xoriguer Gin and Fever Tree Lemonade. A refreshing gin tonic from Menorca with grapefruit and lime. Very nice, though quite sweet. Ruth ordered a glass of white wine (Vino Blanco). 

We decided to order a couple of nibbles (Picoteo) to share.

So ordered Almendras de Mallorca: (slow roasted almonds) and the beautiful Pan Con Tomate (toasted bread, garlic, tomato and olive oil) which was deliciously tomatoey and with a good but balanced garlic flavour. Lovely. 

  

Almendras de Mallorca. 

  Pan Con Tomate

I advise if ordering for two to order six tapas to share or 3 for one. 

The Vegetarian Dishes from the Tapas menu I ordered were: 

Piquillos Rellenos de setas: piquillo peppers stuffed with mushrooms.

An ok dish. piquillo are hand picked and slightly sweet and worked well with the mushrooms. Not bad. Needed more seasoning maybe. 

Tortilla de Patatas: Spanish omelette made with potato and onion. 

The star dish of the evening for me. Reminiscent of San Sebastián with delucious comfort food par excellence, transforming a couple of humble ingredients with a soufflé like effect. A well made tortilla. 

Pisto: Aubergine, courgette, pepper, and herb stew. 

A lovely ratatouille type dish typically from the region of Murcia and La Mancha. Served warm  it was comforting and Warming with the flavours of finely chopped aubergine and courgette providing a healthy backdrop to the pepper and tomato base. Really enjoyable. 

Patatas Bravos: Deep fried potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and alioli. (To share with Ruth) 

What’s not to like about potatoes and tomato sauce. Nothing in this case. As  Tapas Revolution’s Potatas Bravas was the best I’d had outside of San Sebastián. Utterly beautiful. 

  

Piquillos Rellenos de setas: 
  

  Tortilla de Patatas

  

Croquetas de bacalao: Cod croquettes which Ruth Ordered and enjoyed. 

  
  

Patatas Bravas. 

  
    

Torreznos con mojo dulce: Ruths pork belly dish. She lapped it up. 
    Pisto: 

We were initially disappointed that the Churros weren’t on the menu tonight, but vowed to return to enjoy them. 

We decided to order the crema Catalana (Traditional Spanish  custard made with vanilla, Cinnamon and lemon. Also known as burnt cream and the Torrija: (caramelised brioche bun soaked in custard) 

The Crema Catalana: 

A lovely Catalan cream desert. Delicious flavoured custard with the flavours of  vanilla and lemon coming through. A lovely caramelised top. 

  Crema Catalana.

  

Torrija: A very tasty soaked brioche bun with a fried and batter consistency. Sticky, yummy, a crispy outside and smoother inside. A Recommended desert. 

Tapas Revolution is a fun Tapas restaurant that is an excellent addition to Birmingham’s food scene. It’s ideal for an informal sharing meal either at lunch time, breakfast time or during a shopping trip. It also works well in the evening. The service was friendly, quite swift but always polite, though it did move swiftly into a ‘chainy’ style a few times which was a bit grating. It’s maybe not an intimate romantic venue but is Ideal for people watching. 

The tapas we tried was good, some wonderful and among the best we had tried outside of Spain. I really liked it’s informality, it’s pop in at any time concept, which in Birmingham is welcome. 

The emphasis is on quality and freshness of ingredients and dishes to the plate. It’s in a Good location and accessible for commuters. 

Tapas Revolution is much better than many new openings recently in Birmingham and for this reason is welcome. I wouldn’t hesitate to return any time of day for its good value tapas.

The Revolution has arrived. 



 Estella Galicia lager.   

Zuma de Naranja: freshly squeezed orange juice. Refreshing and thirst quenching.    

Bar at Tapas Revolution. 

  

  View of Grand Central from Tapas Revolution. 

    View of Tapas Revolution from below. 

   

Thanks for reading.

Andy 😊

Disclaimer: we were invited by Tapas Revolutions PR company to eat free and sample their dishes for a fair review. My opinions and thoughts are honest of my experience as always. 

Click to access tapas-revolution-grand-central.pdf

   
 Grand Central and John Lewis. 

You can find Tapas Revolution at Grand Central Birmingham. 

  
Tapas Revolution cookbook. 

Opus leads the way on sustainability. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Review of this years Vegetarian Source Dinner:

http://t.co/WkopBcpQ9P

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊

   
   
Sustainable vegetables from Worcester Produce: Opus Source Vegetarian Dinner. 

Veggie breakfast/brunch watch: Loco Lounge, Kings Heath. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Breakfasts, Brunch, Cafés and Restaurants, Kings Heath, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

One of the things that impresses me generally when it comes to restaurants is when they change the menu frequently. Whether that’s seasonal or just when they feel like it. 

The Loco Lounge in Kings Heath, do this very well. 

As I’ve mentioned before The Lounges cafe bars are excellent for Vegetarians and Vegans.  The all day menu includes a variation of dishes, but it’s the all day brunch dishes that catch the eye. I’ve previously reviewed the Veggie breakfast on my blog,

http://t.co/WXzd8EAfQv 

so on a recent visit decided to try one of their new brunch offerings. 

  

 

The Chimichurri Field Mushrooms: with potato, spinach and spring onion hash, fried aubergine, slow roasted tomato and spicy beans is£6.95. 

Take the moist seasonal flat mushrooms and add fried potato aubergine to give it bite with the additional spicy curried beans in their own pot and you have a delicious and different brunch option. All the ingredients worked well. I ordered it with a slice of toast as extra which gave it a more traditional breakfast crunch, and I didn’t even miss the egg (well slightly) but it didn’t detract from the niceness of the dish. The spring onion hash in particular was a good addition. 

In the modern age of more innovative veggie breakfast dishes loco Lounges new offering works well for a filling brunch without an egg. So suitable for vegans.

It’s a shame not to try it. 

 

Taken with a Flat white at Loco Lounge. 

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

Loco Lounge, 32-34 High Street, Kings Heath, B14 7JT. 

Click to access LO_Vegan_Winter15_Web.pdf

Click to access LO_FoodFull_Winter15_Web.pdf

Thanks for reading. 

Andy 😊

I paid for our breakfast in full. All opinions are my own. 

For the love of whisky: Whisky club invites Birmingham to create its own. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, City Centre, Events, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Whiskey by

I’ve only been a fan of whisky for about ten years. It was my Aunt and Uncle that introduced me to the temptations beneath the shadowy dusk. The ‘water of life’ transfixed me and now I’m hooked by the complexities and innovations of this temptress called whisky. 

The whisky market is widening. It’s not just Scotch that leaps out from distilaries. 

The World whisky award winner comes from Japan.

 Ireland, Wales, and California America are popular as is the Czech Republic. Then of course there are the blends Jameson, Grants, Bells including the divine Johnnie Walker Black Label aged 12 years. 

For me though there is no better place to begin than with Malt Whisky from Scotland. I remember a few years ago visiting the Scotish Whisky experience in Edinburgh and marvelling at Whiskies that came from small distilleries miles from anywhere that were thriving and innovating the industry. So whether it’s regions Speyside, Highland, Lowland, or Islay, the choice is comprehensive. 

Whisky need not be complicated the five steps for me in appreciating whisky are: 

Colour: is your whisky light, gold, bright, copper or rich Amber in colour?

Body: does your whisky have a light, medium or full body? 

Nose: Which aromas do you recognise when you nose your whisky- is it malty, smoky, fruity, chocolatey? 

Palate: what characteristics do you notice on the palate- is it softly sweet, rich and fruity or peppery and spicy? 

Finish: Does the flavour remain for a long time or does it disappear quickly? 

One thing that links the massive market of whisky is the passion and individuality which makes it deeply rooted and dynamic simultaneously. 

Some of the best places in Birmingham to try ‘The water of life’ are:

The Prince of Wales-Moseley- over 40 Malt Whisky’s in stock.

The Victoria-City Centre (home to the Birmingham whisky club). 

The Plough-Harborne, with a good choice of rare and Japanese  Whisky’s. An expanding tasting room is been developed. 

Hotel Du Vin-City Centre. The only bar in Birmingham to stock Whisky’s from the Scottish Malt Whisky Society.  

The Wellington-City Centre. An excellent whisky list. 

The Bureau-City Centre, good for whisky cocktails. 

Purnells Bistro/Gingers Bar: good for old fashioned bourbon cocktails with a decent whisky list. 

If you keep an eye on the Birmingham Whisky Club website events are published frequently. 

The Birmingham Whisky Club is the city’s only whisky tasting events company, and one event its hosting is an exciting new event with global whisky brand, Chivas Regal. 

The upcoming event, ‘A Blending Masterclass With Chivas Regal’ takes place on Wednesday 4th November at Vivaanta, and will see whisky-lovers taste through and learn about a number of blends and single malts before trying their hand at making their own.
The evening event will be hosted with whisky expert, Whisky Club supporter and Pernod Ricard Brand Ambassador, Phil Huckle, who will taste people through a number of whiskies before guiding guests in making their own bespoke blend to take home. Included in the ticket price will be a meal from one of the city’s newest Indian restaurants, Vivaanta, which guests will be able to enjoy together while their blends are tasted by Phil and other experts from The Birmingham Whisky Club. A prize for ‘best blend’ will go to the winner to take home.

Amy Seton, founder of The Birmingham Whisky Club, comments: “We are really excited to host this event in Birmingham and add an interesting element to the Whisky Club offering. Blends are big business and it’s not every day whisky-enthusiasts get a chance to make their own. We look forward to introducing Phil Huckle and Chivas Regal to more whisky enthusiasts and learn about the fine art of blending.

Tickets for the event are priced at £35 each (plus booking). For more information and to book a place, head to the ticket page. For other information and upcoming events, visit their Facebook page. 

The Birmingham Whisky Club is Birmingham’s only dedicated whisky tasting events company. They offer a diverse range of tutored tastings and whisky-themed events in and around Birmingham, including themed and rare whisky nights, events with distilleries, whisky and food matching, and private and corporate events. They welcome everyone, from complete beginners to the more hardened whisky buff.  

 Visit their webpage:

http://www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/

http://www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/events/4569005395

http://www.thebirminghamwhiskyclub.co.uk/about/4557718945
 

You can also buy whisky in Birmingham at specialist whisky shops such as the Hard to Find Whisky Shop in the Jewellery Quarter and the Whisky Shop in the Great Weatern Arcade. 

Supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s also stock a Good supply of whisky locally. With many good bottles reduced frequently. 

http://www.htfw.com/

Thanks for reading 

Andy 😊
  
Whisky at The Plough Harborne. 

   
   

A selection of my Whisky’s from home. 

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 😊

Bar Opus beer is a real Peaky Blinder. 

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

   

   

Bar Opus at One Snowhill is raising a glass to the Peaky Blinders by being the first ever bar to sell Peaky Blinders Gold, a soft and fruity ale created by Stourbridge based Sadler’s Brewery.
City-centre Bar Opus at One Snowhill, is to give punters a taste of the hit, period-gangster TV show, Peaky Blinders, by selling the beer on draught for the first time ever at the contemporary bar. 

Created and brewed by Black Country-based Sadler’s Brewery, the 4.3% ABV golden beer is a more modern, crisp version of the first beer Sadler’s created at Steven Knight’s request, ‘Peaky Blinders Black IPA’, which launched in April 2014 and recreated the taste the real Blinders would drink in the 1920s. 

The Peaky Blinders Gold Is also Vegetarian friendly. 

Sam Cross, manager at Bar Opus, said: “As a huge fan of Peaky Blinders, and with it currently being filmed at the Black Country Living Museum, what better way to celebrate than by being the first bar to ever sell Peaky Blinders Gold on draught. 

A flavoursome craft beer, its lighter taste is the perfect partner to dishes on our autumn menu. 

When I tried the beer I unfortunately didn’t try it with the food menu, but suffice to say it works on its own too. It’s golden and crisp and is quite easy drinking but very subtle in its fruity flavours. I loved the beer and it also looks the part in the glass. 

Here’s hoping that Tommy Shelby and the gang have a night off from The Garrison and pop down here to give it a try. 

Peaky Blinders Gold draught craft beer is now available at Bar Opus at One Snowhill. 

For more information, please visit http://www.baropus.co.uk. 

   
  

   

   
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

  
   
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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