Category Archives: Veggie

Salad Box will open in Birmingham this October.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, Lunch, Lunch deals, Salad, vegan, vegetarian, Vegetarian takeaways, Veggie by

Healthy fast food chain, Salad Box, will open its doors to the public in Birmingham on Wednesday 16th October, giving away 100 salads across the first two days to celebrate the launch. 

Situated on Great Charles Street Queensway, Salad Box will serve up an array of fresh and nutritious meals and snacks, made using ingredients of the highest quality. Salads, wraps, soups, desserts and juices, as well as coffee from local 200 Degrees, will all be available to help workers in the Second City sustain a healthy diet without compromising their time, energy or savings. 

On Wednesday and Thursday, Salad Box will be giving away 50 free salads each day, first-come, first-serve, from 12:30pm onwards.

The free salads on offer on the day for Vegetarians will be Athena (white cheese, black olives, tomatoes, green leaf mix, cucumber and red onions, with yoghurt & lemon dressing).

Customers will also be able to choose from a menu of delicious classics, or customise their own meal, with a wide range of vegetarian and gluten/vegan-friendly options to choose from.  

Salad Box will also be offering catering services for local businesses to support events and meetings, as well as a delivery platform which will launch later this month. 

Tara Johal, Salad Box franchisee for Birmingham, said: “Our team are so excited to be launching Salad Box in Birmingham and we’re confident that our fellow Brummies will love our range of nutritious salads, wraps, soups, desserts and juices. We can’t wait to open our doors on the 16th October and start fueling the healthy lifestyles of Birmingham’s busy young professionals.”

Founded in Romania in 2012, Salad Box opened twelve restaurants in its home country in the first year. After just seven years, it has not only grown to become the third largest fast food chain in Romania after McDonald’s and KFC, but also a true international success story. Salad Box now has more than 70 outlets across 12 countries in three continents, with stores in some of the most important cities in the world, including New York, Miami, Paris, London and Rome.   

The site in Birmingham will be the second Salad Box in the UK. The first outlet opened on London’s Brick Lane in 2017, and there are plans to open more outlets across the UK in the near future. 

For more information, follow Salad Box UK on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SaladBoxUK/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/saladboxuk/. 

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BBC Good Food Show Summer, returns to NEC this June, plus competition to win two pairs of tickets.

Posted in Birmingham, chefs, Food Festivals, food shows, vegan, Veggie, Veggie foodie by

This Competition is now closed.

Michel Roux Jr. will be returning to the NEC this summer for the BBC Good Food Show 2018.

One of the summer’s most popular days out will return to Birmingham again this June, as BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the BBC Good Food Show Summer take over the NEC for four days.

With one ticket, visitors will gain entry to both spectacular events, which will attract over 500 exhibitors from the culinary and horticultural worlds from Thursday 14 June – Sunday 17 June.

As well as the hundreds of stands, the Shows also bring a star-studded line-up of some of the country’s favourite gardeners, chefs, experts and bakers.

The line-up includes BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World lead presenter Monty Don plus co-presenters including Carol Klein, Adam Frost and new to the Show this year, Mark Lane and Arit Anderson. Fellow television personality Alan Titchmarsh also joins the team on Friday.

At the BBC Good Food Show, firm favourites Mary Berry, James Martin, Tom Kerridge, Michel Roux Jr. and many more will be cooking up a storm on stage in the Big Kitchen, with plenty more chances to see them around the Show.

This year’s BBC Good Food Show sees the return of a selection of fantastic shopping areas including the Producers’ Village and the Drinks Emporium.

New to the 2018 Show is the Eat Well Zone, showcasing the best in vegan and vegetarian products, with expert advice and recipe ideas at the Show’s Summer Kitchen stage.

Some of the best Veggie and Vegan stands are:

Blacks cheese (cheese stand)

Proper Nutty (Peanut butter stand)

Nutriplanner

Juvela, (gluten free foods)

The Brownie Bar ( brownie stand) see image below.

There’s also a WH Smith at the show. The Hairy Bikers will be present at some point signing books of which their most recent is a vegetarian cookbook called ‘The Hairy Bikers go veggie’ so pop by if you’d like it signed or any other cookbook you have at home. Other chefs will be there also at allocated times.

Stepping outside, you’ll find inspirational Show Gardens and top shopping for your garden. The Made in Birmingham garden will feature a railway embankment plot with allotment, wildflower meadow and a working steam engine with Pullman Dining carriage.

The Wyevale Garden Centres Solutions Garden will display stunning best practice ways to deal with common issues such as soil types or shady areas; the Tesco Every Little Helps Garden offers up ideas for small changes that can make big differences; the Beautiful Borders will be full of small space ideas, plus much, much more. The Floral Marquee and Plant Village is a haven for plant lovers with over 100 dedicated places to buy quality plants, seeds and bulbs.

Whether inside or outside, you’ll find the best in cooking and gardening inspiration with four days of free entry stages showcasing a full mix of plot to plate inspiration, live demos, Q&A’s, talks and plenty of advice. Plus, the chance to chat to more artisan producers and gardening experts than you can fit into one day.

Ticket holders will gain entry to both Shows, with children under five going free and discounts and free tickets available for groups of eight or more. For an extra special treat, the VIP and VIP Luxe packages include front row seats in the Big Kitchen super theatre and BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre, access to exclusive lounges and much more.

Adam Frost, who will be giving his insight in the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre on the Thursday and Sunday of the Show, said: “This year’s Show is really about helping gardeners make every space count. I’ll be live on stage, talking about the progress of my own garden and giving lots of design tips, as will many fellow Gardeners’ World presenters, including Monty Don and gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh too. It’s the perfect show for anyone looking for exciting garden inspiration to try at home – see you there!”

Tom Kerridge, who will be cooking live in three Big Kitchen sessions, said: “There aren’t many events that compare to the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC Birmingham. With the size of the venue, the amount of delicious food and drink to sample and buy, and the expert demonstrations, it really is an amazing day out.”

For more information and tickets to BBC Gardeners’ World Live and the BBC Good Food Show and, visit www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com or www.bbcgoodfoodshow.com

To celebrate the return of the two shows this Summer I’m running a competition to win two pairs of tickets.

All you have to do is retweet my post on Twitter or like the competition tweet to be in with a chance of winning.

The competition begins on Monday 7th May at 11am and ends on Friday 11th May at 11am.

Keep an eye on Twitter for my competition tweets and then follow me @andydhare and retweet, or like to be in with a chance of winning.

I will then randomly select the two winners and contact them via Direct Message on Twitter to let you know you’ve won, and your details will be passed onto a third party who will contact you and send the tickets out to you.

Good luck!

This competition is now closed.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

T&C

1. The event runs from the 14th-17th June at the NEC Birmingham.

2. Tickets are Only valid on Thursday, Friday or Saturday Admission.

3. Prize includes 2 pairs of entry passes-no travel expenses or accommodation is provided.

4. General admission tickets do not include a seat in the Big Kitchen. Seats are available to purchase on the day for £3 subject to availability.

5. Not all celebrities appear on all days.

6. You must have followed @AndyDHare on Twitter and retweeted/like the competition tweet to be entered.

7. Giveaway ends at 11am on the 11th May 2018.

8. Winners picked at random and will be notified by message on Twitter after 11am on the 11th May.

9. Contact information will be supplied to a Third Party who will post your winning tickets directly to your home address.

10. The prize is for two pairs of general admission tickets so there will be two winners.

11. Prize cannot be swapped for cash or sold on.

Restaurant Review: Pushkar’s Vegan Festival.

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

I don’t mind confessing to it but Ruth and I have always had a love for and indeed at one point minor obsession with Pushkar. When we first met we spent so much time eating there that it became our regular place to visit for that time when you needed a bit of affordable class in your life. Of course there were others who tempted our purse strings to loosen and our desire for a Lasan curry got in the way sometimes of the monogamy completely.

Recently due to an arrival of young Hare, it’s well documented in this blog we don’t get out much into the big smoke of the city. In fact we don’t get out that much at all unless I’m reviewing the park or which route is the best to take to take him to school. So Pushkar has been a distant stranger over recent times of our lives. Call it a separation rather than divorce, but that far away feeling felt more distant than a European holiday or a Michelin starred lunch.

So the arrival of a Vegan festival that runs until February 28th, pricked up my ears as a superlative idea, and a blog post came out immediately. Quick work considering my blog absence recently.

Pushkar in my personal opinion is the dining out jewel on Broad Street. It has a welcoming bar, friendly informed staff and has a quality menu of well cooked and tasty high end food. It’s popular for those reasons. The right reasons. The Vegan festival menu though surprised me for its dazzlement and detail. So many dishes that would all fit on Pushkar’s main menu and show a sensitive touch of thought for the plant based way. It demonstrated on paper at least that this could be done. The question though could it deliver?

Things are done elegantly here. An opening course of Chukander Ki Galouti is a lovely beetroot cake with beetroot chutney. Crisp on the outside, soft inside, it melts in the mouth and has a delicate spicing. Made perfectly.

Ruth’s Corn Palak Ki Tiki, chopped spinach filled with spice corn, a lovely tiki, with good flavour and beautifully presented.

Corn Palak Ki Tiki

Chukander Ki Galouti.

A brilliant kesari Puktan Subz, main course shows true skill to balance flavour and spicing without one overwhelming the other. A Butternut squash gravy has depth and immerses the vegetables, green beans, carrot and mushroom to provide a filling main with the heat of the cumin seeds giving a punch. Perfect with the roti and Naan.

Another main the Jeera Aloo Sharkandi is the star of the show tonight. Boiled potato, and sweet potato tempered with cumin seeds, green chilli and coriander leaves is outstanding and finds a true friend in the Kesari main alongside it. A delicious bowl of Loud singing and lip smacking ensures.

We also tried Moong Ki Daal, another lovely dish of yellow lentils tempered with garlic, ginger, and green chilli. A top Daal and full of gentle warmth on a cold night.

Accompaniments included a Corn rice, basmati infused with saffron and Corn which was nice, a Koda Ki Roti, Rag flour bread. A ‘Super Cereal’ which was quite heavy I found but not bad as an alternative to Naan bread.

An Aloo Paratha was more to my liking. A superb dunking in bread, superb with the Kesari Puktan Subz.

Our Dessert of Carrot, coconut Pudding was a triumph of harmonious flavours, gentle and sweet. I loved the flavours. Delicious in every way.

We also enjoyed a vegan friendly Merlot with our food.

Service is informed, attentive and enthusiastic for the menu. A relaxed feel that’s top notch in standard.

So the Vegan festival menu didn’t disappoint.

Dishes are varied, and full of good spicy flavour. The menu shows a thoughtfulness and a lot of technical skill to balance the ingredients, I’m impressed by the restaurants keenness to adapt and present the food in a sophisticated and tempting way. All of the dishes tried were winners and demonstrated that Indian food which is not known necessarily known to be vegan friendly can be developed with some consideration. A beautiful menu that hits the right notes. Pushkar style.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

Our food and drink was complimentary for review purposes to promote the Pushkar Vegan Festivals. All thoughts and words are my own.

Vegan friendly popodoms and sauces are available too. Please ask for them as we had the non vegan variety which were lovely. Hence no photo.

Also there are vegan friendly cocktails available.

Click to access vegan-menu-3354.pdf

Pushkar can be found at 245 Broad Street, Birmingham.

Rola Wala arrives at Birmingham Selfridges.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Indian restaurants, Indian street food, Street Food, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie, Veggie foodie by

The arrival of any new Indian cafe/restaurant is a cause for celebration for me and countless other veggies and vegans as it means we’ll get fed well.

Birmingham – the city of the balti – is about to experience a flavour explosion when Rola Wala brings its authentic Indian street food – plus the spiciest chilli chutney – yet to the city this week.

A refreshing new take on Indian street food, Rola Wala (which means ‘man that rolls’ in Hindi) is opening in Selfridges Birmingham on February 19th where it will serve a range of fabulous flavour-packed dishes from the mildest dal to many other tempting veggie and vegan dishes.

Balti-loving Brummies will also rise to the challenge of Rola Wala’s eye-watering Scorpion sauce, made from the Scorpion chilli, which peaks at a tongue-stinging 1.4 million Scoville heat units on the Scoville scale.

If Birmingham’s hottest chutney is a step too far, enjoy Rola Wala’s freshly made dishes that feature layers of complex spicy and savoury, sweet and sour tastes.

Try spice bowls filled with sweet potato saagwala, and vegan-friendly red dal served with sourdough naan or nutrient-rich red rice from Sri Lanka.

Complement the main course with a range of sides, including  Kashmiri Cauliflower Popcorn Bombay Birdsnest Fries, Avo’ Chaat Salad, and the incredible ‘Red Channa Dal’ – a spice-fuelled twist on India’s favourite comfort food.

And for every meal bought, Rola Wala helps to feed a hungry child living in poverty, by donating a meal through charity One Feeds Two. Since the restaurant launched, it has provided 350,000 meals.

Rola Wala is the brainchild of Australian Mark Wright and was born on the streets of London via Mumbai and Kolkata. It launched in 2012 when he tested out his ideas at street food markets in London after a trip to India.

After regularly appearing at street food markets in the capital, Mark and his partners Mark Christophers and Danny Vilela set up their first restaurant in Leeds, with two more sites opening in Spitalfields and Oxford.

Mark said: “Three years ago we had a gazebo with a hole in the roof, and wet hair at a festival, now we’re opening our fourth bricks and mortar restaurant in the heart of the Bullring in Birmingham – the home of the balti, some of the best Indian food in the country…and the most passionate foodies!

“For our new restaurant, we’re keeping it ultra casual, just like we did on the streets – with an incredible range of dishes inspired by our time in India – sourdough naan rolls, flavour-packed spice bowls, and inspired sides made using all-British meat, spices from North India, onions from Mumbai, and limes from Kerala.”

Sam Watts, general manager of Selfridges Birmingham, said: “Street food is a huge trend in Birmingham and we’re excited to bring this concept to our food hall, where you can celebrate some of the best cuisine around – from a simple cup of coffee and a cupcake to ramen, katsu and American diner classics. Rola Wala provides our customers with yet another fantastic option for casual dining.”

To welcome new customers, Rola Wala is offering 50% off any meal until the end of February. To sign up for a money-off voucher, visit https://rolawala.com/selfridges/. Students also get 20% off their bill.

Though not fully veggie or vegan in anyway, Rola Wala is sure to prove popular with meat free diners in Birmingham looking for a quick and different food stop.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

https://rolawala.com/menu.pdf (example menu only that may differ in Birmingham)

With thanks to Clive Reeves PR for the information and photos.

Restaurant Review: Lasan, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. A sophisticated experience for Vegetarians.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, curry, Curry restaurants, Fine dining, Independent, Jewellery Quarter, vegetarian, Veggie, Veggie foodie by

It was roughly twelve years ago that I first entered Lasan’s doors. I was gobsmacked by the textures and flavours of this exotic place and of then head chefs Aktar Islam’s touch in creating such beauty on a plate. There was nothing like it in Birmingham.

Two years later i met Ruth and it soon became our go to place for great food, celebrations and an all round good night out ( who can forget one New Years Eve and scarf gate). Just ask!

We took Ruth’s parents, friends, my Mum enjoyed a few meals there with me and anyone who cared to listen we insisted it was the best place to get s curry in birmingham.

Roll on a few more years and chef Aktar has now left to follow other exciting dreams. We are both a little older, with less money and less time to eat out, but hey, Lasan is still here. But wait, now with its refurbishment things have changed.

Launched In 2002, Lasan, based on James Street just off St Paul’s Square, has now experienced a £500.000 re dawn. Lighter, brighter, glistening in its re birth. The decor in the dining room is beautiful and comfortable. It’s A triumph and so much better than the dark and slightly dull, tired look of before. The bar area is also light with tables, bar stools and a cocktail menu. A place for a pre or post meal drink that makes a loud statement of intent when you walk into it on arrival.

The food has always been the thing with Lasan, but to me it had sadly dipped in its importance and felt as if it was trading on past awards and praise. Ruth and I hadn’t been for awhile, says it all really.

Now, in its reincarnation the vigour feels like its back. I feel an excitement return like the days of old. Hopes have stirred.

The Popadoms have always been some of the best in the city, but often the sauces have let them down. Not now, the pineapple one is one of the nicest small bowls of food you can taste anywhere, the mint sauce was superb. Popadoms, Crisp. They come with three Pani Puri, tiny morsels of chickpeas and tamarind to be eaten in one go. They are lovely.

My starter of Ananas Paneer, Pineapple infused Paneer, garlic and onion seeds, textures of beetroot highlighted the point to me where majestic cooking can make a simple sounding dish sing, lovely flavours, the Paneer perfectly cooked so that it soaked the delectable gentle pineapple, not sweet but holding a well balanced flavour. A stunning dish perfectly presented.

My main course Shakarkand Kofta, followed the same line, roasted sweet potato kofta roundels were gently simmered in a yoghurt and turmeric sauce. Again the execution of the dish showed the simple art (for some) of presenting simple ingredients and spices to perfection. The kofta roundels sparkled in their gently spiced sauce with overlapping flavours punching the taste buds with a soft delicacy that was quite enrapturing.

Two sides were chosen to have with the kofta, both complimented the main course perfectly. The Gobi Angara, tandoori roasted cauliflower sautéed with Nigella scented onion masala. A knock out side with a stunning complex earthy flavour.

The Nigiri Paneer, soft Paneer, slow cooked spinach and fenugreek nilgiri korma sauce which was also beautifully cooked and both sides made perfect additions to the kofta main course.

I’m overexcited by desert. The Beetroot Halwa, a clean precise plate of refreshment that engulfs and rewards with every sliver. Caramelised nuts apples, pistachio ice cream create a delicious combination of flavours with the earthy Beets. Gentle notes of harmony with lovely contrasting textures, A charming pudding of classy and sophisticated pleasure.

Lasan’s food is ambitious, made to a higher standard than the norm, harmonious flavours, quality ingredients, perfectly cooked and spiced, in a polished, relaxing dining room that has a touch of luxury about it.

The attentive, well informed service simmers gently and is relaxed.

The vegetarian dishes sing, refined spiced perfectly each ingredient can be deciphered from the next.

For lovers of fine food and a dapper and quietly amazing food experience it’s comforting in my world that when all else in my life has changed in the last year beyond comprehension Lasan is now truly back in pole position of Birmingham’s Indian food scene and the world is better for it.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

The beautiful recommended bottle of red wine enjoyed on the night. Sadly not on the menu.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Fulford and Lasan for the invite and Paul and fellow Brummie blogger Laura from Bite Our Brum for the company. All food and drink was complimentary.

All opinions and photos of the food are my own. The photos of the restaurant and bar are courtesy of Lasan with thanks.

For Laura’s blog

https://t.co/ztvfni9Pvk

Lasan, 3-4 Dakota Buildings, James Street, off St Paul’s Square, Birmingham B3 1SD.

https://lasan.co.uk/

Restaurant Review: Raja Monkey, Birmingham.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, Indian restaurants, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie, Veggie foodie by

Birmingham’s current fondness for all things Indian Street Food is in a word becoming interesting though maybe the beginning of its undoing. With two new street food places due to open before Autumn snuggles into Winter, and one recent one Indian Streatery doing well in the centre of Birmingham, you may easily forget the original cafe in Brum that is the funky Raja Monkey.

Owned by the good kids of the Lasan group it strikes one instantly of the organisation and sophistication of its big brother Lasan (though on a smaller more intimate street food scale). Here you find the same high quality ingredients, the same beautiful attentive, polite and obliging service, and the same attention to detail in the cooking, that has heralded lasan as one of best, if not the best Indian palace of gastronomy in Birmingham.

The dishes are simpler here at the roadside Dhaba like Raja Monkey and more authentic.

The dishes show a vibrant complexity of flavours, spicing and cooking that is the sale of the century when you tally it with the price of the dishes.

To say the food is outstanding is in a way to undersell the joy that I experienced. I’ve been before (with Ruth) and salivated over the veggie Thalis and supreme dosas. And yes I’ve eaten so many takeaways from these guys that I’d hate to count up the total bill. Yet compared to some other more recent openings on the Indian Street Food trail Raja Monkey is the Manchester United to the Aston Villa (and I’m a villa fan). One that others should learn from in its effortless simplicity and devotion to the diner having a fine night out.

On this occasion my dining partner wasn’t Ruth, but a guy called Paul (Ruth did know where I was, so I wasn’t dodging fatherly duties, but then I may have been slightly!)

To say Raja Monkey is intimate is an understatement though it’s size doesn’t detract from the comfort of the comfortable long bench seats that recreates the informal rustic street food cafe look well. The walls adorned with retro pictures and artefacts with the faint sound of Indian music in the distance conjures up the road side cafe image it sets out to be.

The food is influenced by the Southern Indian cuisine of the continent.

Set off from the busy Stratford Road in the Hall Green part of Birmingham, Raja Monkey greets and meets that neighbourhood eatery concept well.

The Popodoms or Papads we ate whilst looking at the menu were crisp, served with a deliciously sweet yogurt Raita that had a delicious flavour.

I ate a Samosa Chaat, Chickpeas, potatoes, fried samosa pastry, served cold, piled high, with a soothing spicing that tickled the mouth and danced in the club of classic curry dishes and then somehow betters them making you sigh and dip into your cold beer with joy. An instant satisfying joy.

I also tried the Pau Bhaji, a deeply satisfying Street Food snack of mashed veg Bhaji with roasted pau buns, brioche like with uplifting flavours and spicing made with panache. A very satisfying starter.

We both moved onto a Vegetable Kadai a melange of veggies in a masaledar gravy. Colourful crunchy vegetables with an appetising appearance. Rich with tomatoes, a good chilli heat gave the veg a rich textured flavour that rewarded generously.

Mopped up with an appreciative Roti it was a sensational dish of perfect spicing and immaculate cooking.

A delight of a vegetarian curry.

To finish, a lip smacking soft and spongy Rasmalai was enjoyed. A melt in your mouth texture, and the perfect refreshing pallet cleanser after a spicy curry.

A pudding of pure joy.

Raja Monkey Excels with its Brilliant Vegetarian cooking. They make use of quality ingredients and thoughtful spicing with an artistic touch of sophistication, all without the pomp. It’s self confident and on a Tuesday night the food hit the curry longing spot like a Romalau Lukaku shot on the turn.

Raja Monkey always been good, but to be honest now It excels.

For a sublime, but informal curry with a great value price maybe it can’t be beaten in Birmingham and for Vegetarians if it’s not on your list of places to visit or revisit then I’m afraid you don’t deserve promotion to the Premier league.

A true road side cafe.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

<

Thanks to Paul Fulford for the invite to dine with him at Raja Monkey. My food and drink was complimentary but all views expressed are my own.

Our Food was washed down by a couple of Cobra lagers.

Raja Monkey, 1355 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 9HH.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<
commend a take away from Raja Monkey. Menu on website.

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

My previous review is here:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/vegiefoodie.com/2015/01/23/raja-monkey-authentic-indian-street-food-in-birmingham/amp/

Opus leads the way in showcasing Birmingham’s independents.

Posted in Bars, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Drinks, Gastro Card, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegetarian, Veggie, Veggie foodie, Wine by

Opus one of the top fine-dining restaurants in Birmingham is leading the charge for independents, joining forces with some of the best talent in the city.

Billed as a celebration of the bespoke, Opus in Cornwall Street is keen to support local businesses that offer something different from the norm and has so far linked up with artists and an award-winning wine merchant.

Pawel Skrzypinski, general manager at Opus, said: “Birmingham is an exciting, diverse city in which to live and work and if you are willing to meander off the beaten track through our lovely city centre, you will be rewarded with shops and artists showcasing an individuality and tailored approach that makes you feel special and appreciated.

“We think it’s really important for independents – especially those who have a natural synergy – to support one another because we have a unique offering. The beauty of being an independent business is that you have the opportunity to team up with whomever you like and over the past few months alone we have found some real stunners with whom to work.”

Over the summer, it is collaborating with Loki Wine, the award-winning wine merchant and wine bar based in Great Western Arcade, enabling customers at both venues to take advantage of some fantastic offers.

Loki is offering 15% off the Loki Wine Tasting Card for Opus Loyalty Card holders, while Opus is offering all holders of a Loki Wine Tasting Card 25% off all bottles of wine purchased (see T&Cs online)  and £10 off the flight of five wines that accompany their weekend five-course tasting menu.

Phil Innes, of Loki Wines, said: “There’s already a natural crossover between Loki and Opus customers but the opportunity to work with the restaurant, which will benefit all our customers could not be passed up. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Opus.”

Sculptor Viv Astling, OBE, has two pieces of art being displayed at the restaurant over the next few months.

An elected member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) and a former student of the renowned sculptor John Tonks, he uses English limestones particularly from quarries in Portland, Dorset, and Ancaster, Lincolnshire. His piece Turning Point is being displayed at Opus’s reception desk, while Ariel is on display in the bar area.

Bar Opus at One Snowhill has joined forces with Jewellery Quarter-based Argentea Gallery to feature a selection of photographs by Birmingham multi-media artist Sophie Hedderwick from her critically acclaimed series Swift As A Shadow.

Argentea is a new gallery in the Jewellery Quarter launched by Jennie Anderson and is dedicated to showing the very best contemporary photography from both British and international artists.

Jennie said “We were thrilled to have Sophie exhibiting her work at the gallery and to collaborate with Bar Opus is another great way to take her work to a wider audience and engage with people who wouldn’t necessarily think of visiting an art gallery.”

Also at Bar Opus are five works by Birmingham-born innovators Key & Tam, known as LOWLFE. The pair take everyday objects, such as phones, plants, coins and dead insects, and introduces them to the world of miniature people in whimsical settings.

The new collaborations follow Opus’s inaugural art exhibition with Mark Howard of independent fashion store Disorder Boutique earlier this year, when the walls become a canvas for his creations.

Pawel added: “The past few months have been exciting as we have expanded our support network of leading independent talents and we’re looking forward to continuing our efforts to introduce other great Birmingham names to our customers. So make sure to watch this space".

Great to see such a fantastic collaboration between two of the cities best independents.

Also note that Opus are offering 50% off select wine in August. It includes a range that covers most tastes. From lighter summery whites to fruity cherry-like reds and rose wines a bargain is to be enjoyed with the new set price menu or tasting menu.

In Bar Opus news become all Italian and try a Rose Aperol Spritz with complimentary nibbles for £5 from 2-5pm. Aperol Spritz is one of the finest drinks and with added nibbles and hopefully sunshine on the Bar Opus terrace one of the must things to do this Summer in Birmingham. Go on try it!

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

All photos and information courtesy of Opus, Bar Opus and Clive Reeves PR with thanks.

#TastyMorsels: Veggie and Vegan happenings.

Posted in beer, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Independent, Pop up's, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie, Veggie foodie by

Vegan Vybes are at Two Towers Brewery for a pop up on August  19th. 

They will also be hosting the Kings Heath Vegan Community Market on 29th July from 11am-15.00.

Wolverhampton based company Cakes and Ish will be present.

Karma Collective has announced another vegan business in its collective.

Most people will know Karma Collective through its existing tattoo studio or Purely Vegan Store & deli both located in Kings Heath.

However the latest project is based in Stirchley and is simply named The Pie Shop.

This new venture will bring something new to the ever growing vegan community and hopefully encourage more people to eat cruelty free. 

Stirchley is an up and coming area and Karma Collective hope to bring new interest to the area with a menu full of tasty pies and pizza. The idea is to engage with the local community as well as the established vegan community by opening the first 100% plant based pie shop in the West Midlands and quite possibly the UK.

The menu will offer a growing variety of pies based on everyday favourites to some more unusual combinations. Both savoury and sweet, as well as pizza and differing specials. All served with a choice of vegetables, potatoes or chips.

The Pie Shop aims to provide a basic need for tasty home cooking at affordable prices. The setting is a fusion of olde world meets modern world. 

Eat in or Take away is available and a local delivery service is planned for the future. 

As well as providing tasty food, The Pie Shop will also be raising money for Animal Charities currently supported by Karma Collective by donating profit from certain meals to Wonky Pets Rescue and also The Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice.

The Pie Shop will also host a number of regular evening kitchen take overs with various themes by different caterers. 

You can get all the updates on The Pie Shop by finding them in social media…just search @kcpieshop

The Gunmakers Arms are holding a Vegan cheese night on Thursday 27th July from 7.30pm.

Expect cheese and Two Towers vegan friendly beer.

Sally from the fabulous Vegan in Brum blog will be introducing and talking about the cheeses.

Find her blog here:

https://veganinbirmingham.co.uk/

The event starts at 5.30 with the talk from

Sally at 6.30.

The Beer Yeti blog will also be in attendance matching the beers to the cheese.

http://www.BeerYeti.com

Full details on the Facebook events page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/667550230108218/?ti=cl

This event is part of Birmingham Beer Week 2017.

From the 21-26th August The Vegan Grindhouse are taking over the kitchen of a 1000 Trades in the Jewellery Quarter.

South American food and drinks independents Bodega are opening in Sutton Coldfield.

There menu is full of Vegetarian friendly dishes and has a Vegan menu too. So with cocktails a plenty and a fun filled vibe those summer nights may just go on and on.

Oh, and new Vegan cafe Fressh is due to open in Birmingham at the City Arcade in October.

I’ll have more on that soon.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

All Photos courtesy of restaurants and businesses with thanks.

Brum Vegan Beer fest returns, 20th-22nd July.

Posted in beer, Beer festivals, Birmingham, City Centre, Craft beer, Independent, Real ale, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie, Veggie foodie by

The Brum Vegan Beer and food festival returns this week from the 20th until the 22nd July at The Gunmakers Arms in the city centre.

This year it is one of the events of The Birmingham Beer week.

I've never understood the point in not making all beers, ciders etc vegan and Veggie friendly, after all in an economy that's sales driven surely by doing so you'll sell more beer and everyone will be happy. Of course others will disagree, but I'm a vegetarian so this is important to me. After all it makes perfect sense.

There are many vegan and veggie friendly beers on the market. The range gets bigger and bigger and breweries are now seeing the sense in this.

The Gunmakers Arms will host the festival. There house beer is brewed by Two Towers Brewery, who provide only vegan friendly beers.

The Gunmakers Arms has its own self contained Brewery-Two Towers Brewery.

For this it's third year it will be free entry.

However they are now offering beer tickets for £11.00 for 4 drinks. That means each pint is £2.75. Paid for in beer tokens.

Each ticket can be used on any of the festival dates.

These tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite: see below link.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brum-vegan-beer-fest-ticket-tickets-35862425480

The tickets can be brought on the day from the bar too.

There will be vegan beer in cask, keg, bottle and can formats.

Vegan food will be available on Friday from the superb Real Junk Food Project B'ham, and Saturday from Ubuntu Bakery and foods as well as Some of the food from the Gunmakers Arms.

https://www.facebook.com/TRJFPBrum/

https://www.facebook.com/ubuntubakery/

Brewery's and Beers on offer include are mostly local but include a few from further afield.

You'll find, Two Towers Brewery, Rock N Roll Brewhouse, Birmingham Brewing Company, Art Brewery and Boudicca Brewing Company Amongst others.

The full list of beers are listed below:

https://www.facebook.com/events/435382006794577??ti=ia

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/brum-vegan-beer-fest-ticket-tickets-35862425480

The festival runs from 20th July to 22nd and is from noon until 11.pm.

See below link for full details and events of Birmingham beer week.

https://www.birminghambeerweek.uk/

https://twitter.com/birmbeerweek?lang=en

It should be a fantastic festival.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

The Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Birmingham, B4 6HG. (0121-236-8486)

For more information on why some beer isn't vegan and veggie friendly see here:

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/37350233

Opus fixes the price not the diners options.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Food, Gastro Card, Independent, Independent Birmingham, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie by

Birmingham restaurant Opus has once again reinvented the wheel with fixing the prices, but not your dining options.

Opus one of the leading fine-dining restaurants in Birmingham, has scrapped the individual prices on its à la carte menu and has instead introduced a fixed price for either two- or three-course dining.

Opus believes it is the only restaurant to have this standout offering. It will enable diners to choose any dish from its full à la carte menu, with a two-course lunch or dinner costing £27.50 or a three-course meal £32.50. 

The vegetarian menu costs £25 for two courses and £30 for three. 

The concept has been spearheaded by award-winning executive head chef Ben Ternent. He said: “Typically you find that the cheaper, fixe prix menus in restaurants offer limited options for diners, but we were keen to do something a little different from the norm.

“We decided that our diners deserved to enjoy our full à la carte options for a fixed price. It’s not something many restaurants do and I’m thrilled to introduce it here at Opus.”

Ben joined Opus, on Cornwall Street, as commis chef shortly after the restaurant launched in 2005 and worked in almost every section of its kitchen before being promoted to executive head chef in 2015, when it celebrated its tenth anniversary.
During his time at the restaurant, Ben has achieved a number of prestigious awards, including being crowned the British Culinary Federation’s Young Chef of the Year in 2006 and achieving his Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Award of Excellence in 2009.

Ann Tonks, managing director at Opus, said: “We’re renowned for doing things a little differently here and because we are independent, we are always looking for new and innovative initiatives that benefit our clientele. Ben’s idea to remove the individual à la carte prices and instead have a fixed price across the whole menu is a great idea and I’m sure our diners will agree, too.

Vegetarians can enjoy dishes such as creamy goats cheese mousse, roasted English tomato and red pepper soup plus Leicestershire wild mushroom and truffle Wellington, Evesham beetroot risotto and tian of Pershore vegetables followed by a warm dark chocolate fondant or raspberry and blueberry iced parfait and a strawberry pudding, the choice is truly yours. 

Diners can, of course, choose one course only if they prefer and those dishes are individually priced.”

The menu is available for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday.

Click to access Vegetarian-Menu.pdf

For full menu information, visit: 

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

Goats cheese tart 

Beetroot risotto

Strawberry pudding

Ben Ternent.


Opus Restaurant Vegetarian Source Dinner with Worcester Produce is also on Friday July 16th at 7pm.

The Source Dinner series includes this Veggie extravaganza. Enjoy 5 courses with wine pairing in conjunction with Worcester Produce. The fruit, vegetables and salad are grown in their nurseries and farms in the Vale of Evesham, picked on day one and are in the Opus kitchen on day two. It’s always an evening to savour.

Look out for my review soon. 

 Price £65 pp. 

Call 0121-200-2323 for booking. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Thanks to Opus and Clive Reeves PR for the photos.