Tag Archives: cocktails

Restaurant Review: Tom’s Kitchen, Mailbox, Birmingham. A chic, smart place for veggies.

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

So once more Ruth and I were let out of the house together, as parenting duties were suspended for the evening. Not only were we let out but we ambled up to the big smoke (City Centre) nosebleeds in tow and wondered how long it may have been since we ate together in the city centre. Awhile in fact is the answer, so bless Tom’s Kitchen for having us and been trusting with our rusty city etiquette.

I’ve known a few Tom’s in my time. Sound as a pound chaps who’ve been reliable and good to hang around with. My son likes the Tank Engine chap and he says he’s cool so that’s ok with me, though that Controller chap I’m not sure of to be fair.

This Tom is Michelin Starred Tom Aitkens. You may remember him from The Great British Menu. Other outposts of the restaurant are in London and Istanbul.

Tom’s Kitchen in The Mailbox is a natty place. It has a Chic feel, step inside to cosy booths, dark wood, a sophisticated feel and a nice warm atmosphere and you have the makings of a good meal. With its dim lighting It has a nice romantic feel too which gives it an edge in an area of more vociferous chains and pale imitation Food. In fact Ruth and I felt relaxed as soon as we entered.

I start with the insanely good Macaroni Cheese with added Truffle. Loveliness in a warming bowl, not made for pretty photos but a depth of rich cheese, with that just perfect hint of truffle running through, An ingredient when overdone can slam bam ruin a dish in one foul swoop, trust me! A dish to devour and then devour it again, a comfort food award winner, though annoyed i didn’t order any bread to mop up the runaway cheese. Humph!

Now, here’s the thing. I’m not one to order a mostly cold salad like dish in the evening. I’m more of a lunch time punter for that accolade. But then I go and do it. Why? Oh why? Because in this instant I fancied been a revolutionary soul in my own skin. Away from my son, anything goes. Well only if it’s veggie or vegan.

The dish in question was the Courgette Dukkah, fennel and Turmeric. A zingy dish of complex flavours that had a lovely Summery taste. The Dukkah, breadcrumbed courgettes that added a warmth to the cooling salad with fennel. A lovely dish that was well worth diverting from the norm for.

Some quality shared chips.

And, afterwards Chocolate and peanut butter Marquise.

Chocolate decadence, sticky, beautiful and rich with the good things in life. Eat it slow as it’s too nice to rush. Taste it and sigh.

Staff were lovely. Though we sat early evening for dinner we didn’t feel rushed or pressurised to order quickly. Enthusiastic, professional service goes a long way.

There were some grumbles. I’d like to see a vegetarian main course dish on the specials, especially with the abundance of fresh veg produce in Autumn and maybe the mains themselves (apart from

The Dukkah) could be a bit more adventurous and vary and not just follow the burger (though I hear it’s seriously good) or risotto route, though I’m not doubting they would be lovely examples of two fine dishes and well worth trying.

Tom’s Kitchen is an excellent and smart restaurant. The use of fresh seasonal produce is done well. The veggie dishes have simple bold flavours which show off the key ingredients well and demonstrate a real skill in the kitchen.

The dishes follow a British staples line and are comfort food made well. I like the fact the portions are generous and the wine list is excellent and offers good choices that compliment the dishes.

The added cocktail menu that included for us a superb Negroni and dry Gin Martini, are good examples of the quality on offer. They were both done well.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Tom’s Kitchen for Vegetarians. Especially if you

are with meat eaters it’s a good choice to make everyone happy and with dishes made well and changing seasonally it’s well worth discovering.

We also drank a delicious glass of Trebbiano and Sangiovese. Top notch wines.

Thanks for reading.

Andy 😊

Thanks to the lovely PR company Rewired for the invite, and for their patience with the arrangements. Our food and drinks were complimentary (at the restaurants discretion) and all opinions made are my own.

https://www.tomskitchen.co.uk/en/birmingham/restaurant/

Tom’s Kitchen, 53 The Mailbox, Wharf side street, Birmingham, B1 1RE.

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San Carlo announces new Fumo venue for Selfridges, Birmingham.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Italian restaurants, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by


Fumo, St Martin's Lane, Covent Garden, London.

Birmingham's multi-award winning Italian restaurant company, San Carlo Group has announced it’s to further expand operations in the city.
 
The Italian family owned and run group which has 17 leading UK restaurants, including the original and hugely popular San Carlo on Temple Street and the excellent Fumo (open since 2012) on Waterloo Street, is to open a second Fumo restaurant, champagne and cocktail bar at Selfridges in Birmingham this Autumn.  
 
Fumo will be located in Selfridges on the 4th floor with stunning views overlooking the iconic Bullring. With a nod to the popular and critical success of its Fumo restaurants in Birmingham, Manchester and St Martins Lane, London.

Fumo will serve delicious, seasonal Italian small plate dishes known in Venice as cicchetti made to share or eat alone and will incorporate a feature bar which will specialise in cocktails and Laurent Perrier champagne.
 
The £1m restaurant will be the third Selfridges San Carlo Group restaurant – San Carlo Bottega and Gran Café are situated within Selfridges Exchange Square, Manchester.
 
The Group’s success has been built on providing original Italian food using the freshest produce, much of which is flown in from markets in Milan and Sicily. It is this passion for food and attention to detail that has seen Fumo on Waterloo Street scoop several awards since its
launch 5 years ago including Best Italian Restaurant at the BFDH Awards and Les Routiers Restaurant of the Year.
 
A further 16 individually designed venues are located in Manchester, Cheshire, Liverpool, Leeds, Roundhay, Bristol, Leicester and London and further afield diners enjoy San Carlo restaurants in Qatar, Bahrain and Bangkok.
www.sancarlofumo.co.uk
 
Follow Fumo on social media:
Twitter:
@SanCarlo_Fumo
 
Facebook
@SanCarloFumo
 
instagram
@SanCarloGroup

I've visited Fumo numerous times on Waterloo Street and always found it a bustling and lovely restaurant with excellent food, cracking cocktails and with good veggie options the new venue is sure to be popular.

I Look forward to Fumo opening in the Autumn.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

 About San Carlo Group www.sancarlo.co.uk
Winners of 36 industry and consumer awards, San Carlo Group is renowned for great food and a star-studded clientele; from celebrities and sports stars to business leaders and high profile politicians, the multi-award winning San Carlo Group was founded in Birmingham as a family business by Carlo Distefano in 1992.


Courtesy of San Carlo group.
 

New Haig Club Scotch Bar launched at The Cube, Birmingham.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, City Centre, Cocktails, Mailbox, whisky by

Oh whisky how much do I love thee, let me count the ways!  

Birmingham has welcomed a stunning new skyline destination with the launch of the Haig Club Bar on Level 25 at The Cube last month. 

The bar, which sits alongside the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill with views across the city, features a dedicated entrance on Level 25. It seats 36 guests, showcasing Haig Club and Haig Club Clubman through a specially crafted drinks menu and cocktail list, alongside small plates and sharing dishes. 

For Vegetarians try Halloumi and Courgette flowers and Patatas Bravas thus far. 


The interior design has taken reference from the copper and distinctive blue of the Haig Club brand, to create a stylish and contemporary space for guests to relax and enjoy the company of friends or colleagues.

With a separate entrance and exclusive feel, the Haig Club Bar on Level 25 will be open from Tuesday – Saturday, 6.00pm until 1am and will also be available for private hire.

Max Bennett, Operations Manager at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill Birmingham said: “We’re hugely excited to have unveiled the new Haig Club Bar here on Level 25. The bar has been designed to create an exclusive experience for our guests, with a dedicated and knowledgeable team to welcome them. We know that it will soon become a must-visit destination for whisky lovers and cocktail connoisseurs, in addition to offering a unique venue for business meetings and private celebrations.”

Commenting on the new Haig Club Bar, Nick Temperley, UK Head of Reserve Brands at Diageo said: “We are really excited to be working with The Cube Birmingham, creating this unique Haig Clubman experience in a city where cocktail culture continues to grow and excite.”

Only Haig Club and Haig Clubman whisky will be sold and the bar is table service only. 

Jack Spencer who was previously at Bourne and Co. in the city will be head bar man. 

For whisky lovers and cocktail connaseurs it become a must visit bar with a smart view to match. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

https://www.haigclub.com/

All photos and information courtesy of Rewired PR and The Haig Club, with thanks. 


 

Vegetarian dinner at Cheval Blanc, Moseley. April 12th. 

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Events, Independent, Moseley by

Cheval Blanc is becoming the go to place for wine, cocktails and food in Birmingham. Residing in Moseley it sits next to The Dark Horse, colourful from the outside and inviting. Owned by the same team as The Prince of Wales, The Dark Horse and The Royal Oak in Stirchley, Ruth and I have visited for drinks but not eaten there as yet (must do soon) and can thoroughly recommend it for its impressive wine list and winning cocktails. 

There are regular events on Wednesday and Thursday evenings including exclusive dinners and master classes. 

On April 12th, sees a Vegetarian evening of food. 

Try a five course meat free menu to prove that veggie food isn’t all about risottos and Nut roasts. 

Chef Cydric Has created a menu that captures the season and is as enticing sounding as you could find anywhere on a midweek evening. 

The menu includes:

(Spinach, Parsley, Feta and Pine nuts Filo Parcel)
Dolmas Cabbage 

(Stuffed cabbage leaves with rice, nuts and herbs, cooked in a rich tomato sauce)
Lentils Moussaka

(Aubergine, lentils, carrots, onions, chilli, cinnamon, cumin)
Goats curd Savoury 

(Chives, parsley, garlic, cracked pepper)
Pear belle helène

Vanilla ice cream, Poached Pear, Chocolate sauce

5 Courses  for a bargain £17.50.

Optional wine pairing available.
Complimentary glass of Cava for Les Amis de Cheval Blanc Cardholders.
0121 449 6344.

bookingschevalblanc@gmail.com

Unfortunately as it’s the Easter holidays Ruth and I can’t make it on the night but hope there’s another one in the pipeline soon that we can attend. 

Please support this excellent vegetarian event in Moseley. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Cheval Blanc, 145 Alcester Road, Moseley, B13 8JP.

http://www.chevalblancbar.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/events/1706124236352109??ti=ia



The first 5 photos are my own and the others courtesy of Cheval Blanc. 

#MeatfreeMonday: Vegan Mondays at The Blue Piano in Edgbaston.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Independent, Meat free monday by


Blue Ginger in Kings Heath has only been closed a couple of months and I’m already missing it. Good interesting neighbourhood veggie friendly restaurants are so hard to find. Sob sob! 

One of the things they did which made it unique was hold a Meatfree Monday Vegan night every Monday evening, (the first restaurant to do this In Birmingham) which highlighted the Vegan friendly dishes which lifted the restaurant into one of the best in Brum for Veggies and Vegans.

Now sister restaurant and equally good The Blue Piano in Edgbaston has resurrected that evening of deliciousness and introduced a Vegan Menu that’s available all night from 5.30pm. 

So try the delicious and Veggie Foodie favourite savoury Singapore Carrot Cake or Rambutan and Jackfruit Red Curry. 

With 6 starters, 6 Main courses and 6 sides in the menu it makes for a tidy menu that has 3 deserts to tickle your fancy at the end. 

As well as the carrot cake the starters include Amongst others: Tom Yum Soup and Gado Gado, which is deep fried tofu with a hot salad in a peanut sauce. 

Sounds divine. 

Mains include the Tofu, cauliflower and Sweet potato yellow curry and Mee Goreng which is a stir fried yellow noodles dish. 

Eat mains with a side of Kang Kongleaf, Roti Prata (bread) and steamed rice for a filing meal. 

Puds include Banana fritters with vegan ice cream and sticky rice pudding with coconut cream. 

The full menu is below:

Cauliflower and Sweet potato yellow curry

Rambutan and Jackfruit red curry 

Kang Kongleaf 

Singapore carrot cake

For full Details of Vegan Menu, see below. 

http://bit.ly/2mKoPDm

For non veggies and vegans a full menu is still available on the night, so no one need do without. 

Wash it all down with the excellent Blue Piano cocktail list and good value wines. 

Note, There are additional veggie dishes on the main menu.

Sounds stunning and well worth supporting. Enjoy and Welcome back.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

For my previous review of The Blue Piano: 

https://vegiefoodie.com/2014/05/11/the-blue-piano-restaurant-and-bar/

All photos are my own. 

Roti and steamed rice 

Meat Free Mondays. 

New Indian Streetfood restaurant Zindiya set to bring colour to Moseley. 

Posted in Afternoon Tea, Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Curry restaurants, Food, Independent, Indian restaurants, Moseley, Real ale, Street Food by



There have been a lot of false dawns with restaurant openings recently. The hype doesn’t always result in a place been good for repeat visits. For Vegetarians disappointment when the menu is presented to you, a lack of choice, a lack of thought. I can safely predict that Zindiya doesn’t fall into that category looking at the menu which is on first glance predominantly veggie. 

Zindiya, a new Indian Street food eatery and cocktail  bar opened on the 7th February in Moseley, Birmingham in a building that has been empty for 10 years. Some of you may remember Lukers  the bakery. Others won’t, well it was 10 years ago! Remembering last week is hard enough. 

But, you’ll remember Zindiya. Well that’s the plan from owners Ajay and Shivani Kenth. Moseley born and bred, and back to rock the village with little plated curry stuff. Hurray! 

Derived from the Indian name for life and the name of the owners daughter ‘Diya’. Seating 90 people it’s decor is colourful bustling, Indian street food market. 

Across the road, is one of the best. Kababish a Moseley icon is different so don’t go to Zindiya expecting the same. This is Street Food, tapas like sharing plates and dosas, flatbreads and more sharing dishes than  a family picnic in the summer. 

It’s the Cocktails that are on the tips of people’s tongues though. Created by Rob Wood the man behind so many great cocktails in the city they borrow influences from all over India and can be paired with food, which I’m hoping to be convinced is ok. 

Purity Beers are providing the beers for those that prefer. Lawless lager and Longhorn IPA is the name of the game. Plus delectable bakes from Miss Macaroon and wines from city centre based Connolys. 

Also Birmingham Lager from Indian Brewery Co.

The food menu is reasonably priced and won’t set you back on your mortgage repayments and includes for Vegetarians: 

Chaat street food: £4

Pani puri, papri chaat, Bhel puri, Aloo tiki chaat, Pav Bhaji, samosa chaat, chilli Paneer, and Vada Pav ( potato pasty and bun with chutneys) 

Side Street: £3

Chilli cheese toast (Mumbai cheese and toast) okra fries, Mogo Chips, onion bhajis, Masala chips.

A La Carte: £6.50

Idli Sambaar ( steamed rice and lentil dumpling served with sambaar, a lentil based stew, with coconut chutney, 

Trio of Dosas, (Masala aloo, Paneer)

Grill Street: £7 cooked over charcoal. 

Paneer tika, 

Hara Bhara Kabab(served with yoghurt dip and salad.

Paranthe Wali Gali: Flatbread. 12-4 Saturday and Sunday only. 

Aloo Paratra: potatoes and onions.

Plain Paratra 

Gobi Paratra (cauliflower)

Metri ( fenugeek leaves) 

Deserts include Chocolate Gol Gappe and kulfi and Cin alla Kreer (rice pudding) 

With so many Vegetarian options Zindiya goes straight to the top of the must visit list (for vegans check beforehand). 

Also available will be An Afternoon tea which includes sandwiches, Pakoras, Cardamon scones and chai infused prosecco. 

For the best in good value eat-drink-share It’s sure to do well and bring a spot of Indian colour to Moseley. 

See you there. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Zindiya is at 21 Woodbridge Road, Moseley, Birmingham. B13.

Closed Mondays. 

0121-439-0953 Or hello@zindiya.co.uk for bookings. 

http://m.imgur.com/a/nuOtV 

See the above link for full menu. 


All photos courtesy of Zindiya. 

New venue from Taste of Liquer and No’ 21 Milk Street. No21 Digbeth launch Friday 27th January. 

Posted in City Centre, Digbeth, Events, Independent, Street Food by



You can never have too much Street Food in my opinion so the news that another weekly Street Food event is hitting Birmingham is exciting news for those seeking a relaxed and informal Friday evening. 

The team behind Taste and Liquor and 21 Milk Street is launching a new venue called No21 Digbeth. The venue is located on Milk Street and is described as “a new hub for global street food, cultural festivals and diverse community events.”

Launching on 27th January the opening launch will showcase a weekly Indoor Street Food hub across Winter and Spring made up a range of international flavours paired with contemporary traders. 

Taste and Liquor wanted to provide an offering that is as unique as the city itself. It won’t just be meat heavy too with Vegetarian and Vegan options.

Boxfood will be doing Vegan Caribbean food and it’s their 1st Birmingham showcase.

Plus the Indian Butcher will have Paneer dishes  and Pizza Di Bruno will have veggie pizzas..

The Turk will also have a vegetarian option. 


The Friday event also shows support to new and emerging talent by giving new traders the chance to experiment and play with ideas without the pressure of having to take on a restaurant. Taste and Liquor aims to support new chefs throughout the year. 

Taste and Liquor’s Friday event will be championing live music, emerging bands and DJ’s With an exclusive platform showcasing the regions hottest acts. Speakerbox, a showcase produced by Sharinta K Athwal will present  the best of the regions raw talent and hottest emerging stars of 2017.

Every Friday welcomes The Digbeth After Work Club between 5-7pm where local residents are invited to start the weekend early, with specials two-for-one offers on all drinks. Head towards the main bar, featuring bespoke cocktails, craft beer, wines and a vast range of bespoke tonics and spirits. 

Monthly themed events will also be held every last Saturday of the month. Highlights include Gin and Meat Festival (February), Besr of British Street Food (March), Brum’s Big Fat Pizza festival, (April), Mr Hyde’s national Burger day festival (August). 

Cultural celebrations and festivals will also include Holi Rave colour festival in April, Taste and Liquor 1st birthday party weekender in May, Asian indepen-dance a celebration of 70 years of Indian independence in August and Digbeth Mela in October. 

Taste and Liquor at No21 will launch on Friday 27 January and will be hosted every week. Friday entry will be free from 5pm. Last food orders at 10.30. 

For more information log into http://www.tasteandliquor.com.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😋

Christmas at Bar Opus: celebrate with cocktails. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Christmas, City Centre, Cocktails, Colmore business district, Drinks, Independent, Independent Birmingham by


Bar Opus Winter Cocktail Menu 

Bar Opus’ winter cocktail menu is just what the doctor ordered during this festive season. Featuring a range of sophisticated and elegant drinks. From brunch Martinis to an Opus Manhattan, indulge in classic cocktails made by expert mixologists and with a distinguished Bar Opus twist. Prices start from £6.50.

 CHRISTMAS COCKTAILS

 Bar Opus is getting into the festive spirit with these Cheerful Christmas Cocktails for £6 each

 STOLLEN SOUR

Amaretto, Dry Curacao Orange Liqueur, Madeira, Fresh Lemon.

Sweet and Sophisticated with a hint of Christmas Spice.

 MINCE PIE MARTINI

Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Demerara Rum.

Spiced and Fruity… Santa’s drink of Choice!

 SNOWFLAKE MARTINI

Belgian White Chocolate, Vanilla Vodka, Crème De Cacao.

Naughty or nice, This one’s for you.

 Christmas Party Punch Bowls

 Make Christmas your own bespoke event – FOUR easy steps to your perfect Christmas Party

 STEP 1) Pick your date, and call 0121 200 2323 to book your space at Bar Opus (ask for Irene!)

 STEP 2) Once your date is secured, take a look at our creative list of seasonal cocktails, wines and beers

 STEP 3) Steal the show with our unique Christmas Party Punch Bowls

 Choose one (or more) of our festive concoctions for your event, see below

 FISHBOWL serves 30 glasses (£75) | SUPERBOWL serves 90 glasses (£225)

 St. Clement’s Punch

Gin, Prosecco, Citrus Fruits, Frambois, Sugar Syrup

Peachy Punch

Prosecco, Peach Brandy, Peach Nectar, Orange, Soda

Winter Warmer

Bourbon, Dry Cider, Ginger Ale, Apple Juice, Angostura Bitters, Sugar Syrup

Fruity Punch

(non-alcoholic – 30 glasses £50)

Blood Orange, Cranberries, Mint, Sparkling Apple, Lime


They look full of festive merriment. Enjoy. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Island Bar is 10 years old. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, City Centre, Cocktails, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Veggie foodie by

  
Many years ago when I was much younger (say over 10 years ago) there wasn’t very much choice of bars or quality places to drink a varied and creative choice of drinks. 

The amount of independent bars were few and far between and generally if you wanted to have a night out you would have to go to a predictable chain that had a limited menu and certainly no cocktails. 

  
Island Bar opened in 9th September 2006. Situated on Smallbrook Queensway it offers an alternative option to the Birmingham pub and bar scene with handcrafted cocktails, classic creations and in-house Tiki concoctions as well as an extensive rum collection and a range of bottled beers. The venue’s ethos was and still is, to serve quality products by knowledgeable staff in an unpretentious venue. The bar has had many a makeover in the past ten years as well as seeing the cocktail offering expand and the music profile moving from indie / rock n’ roll to more soul and disco.

  
  

To mark this big birthday, Island Bar’s General Manager Simon Gilligan has created a line-up of events to celebrate including – a quiz night dedicated to the past ten years on Wednesday September 7th with rum based prizes to be won.

Thursday 8th plays host to a special version of “Tiki Thursday” with popular DJs Jam Jah Sounds playing dub and reggae alongside a bespoke menu by Jamaican rum Wray and Nephew. 

   
 Friday 9th and Saturday 10th customers are invited to join in the party atmosphere with DJs past and present taking to the decks to re-live some of the best moments from the Island Bar dancefloor. A one-off menu has been created by Simon for the weekend offering Tiki fans 2 for £10 all weekend on the favourite tipples of the past ten years.

Island Bar’s birthday isn’t just a milestone for the bar, but also a celebration for the independently run family Island Bar is part of. 

Bitters ‘n Twisted is one of Birmingham’s hospitality success stories, run by Matt Scriven who’s idea was to offer the flagging bar scene in the Midlands a much needed injection of creativity and fun 10 years ago. Following Island Bar’s opening in 2006 neighbouring boozer, The Victoria and then gin emporium Jekyl & Hyde were set up. Fast forward ten years and Bitters ‘n Twisted Venues owns and runs 10 venues within Birmingham and the Midlands with the most recent being a Bodega Cantina opening in Leicester, July 2016.  

​“Looking back to 10 years ago the hospitality scene in Birmingham has changed beyond recognition. We’ve been honoured and determined to play a large role in this renaissance of Birmingham and we remain passionate about contributing positively to this great city for another 10 years. I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone and what we have achieved and I hope our customers continue to love what we do for many years to come.”

The team at Island Bar are asking customers to join in with them via social media to share their best memories over the years, using the #Island10 to collate a decade of anecdotes and pictures, the best ones will be rewarded with drink based prizes for the weekend.

  
   

Happy Birthday guys, and thanks for all the good nights so far across your venues from Veggie Foodie. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Island Bar, 14-16 Suffolk Street, Queensway, Birmingham, B1 1LT.

https://m.facebook.com/IslandBarBirmingham/

Home

  
All photos courtesy of Bitters ‘n Twisted and Island Bar with thanks.

Restaurant review: Mezze at So Mezze and lounge, Birmingham.

Posted in Bars, Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Gastro Card, Independent, Mezze, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

So Mezze is a reassuring place.  When you look at the menu you are greeted with a long list of Vegetarian dishes that cover All mezze bases and are salavatingly bursting with happiness. 

You cannot underestimate the comfort this brings and though the proof is in the eating its a positive start. The menu offers a mixture of cold and hot mezze, like tapas small dishes to share and ideal for grazing on with a cocktail from the long cocktail list. 

So Mezze serves Lebanese Mezze and is located in Birmingham City Centre in Holloway Head between Broad Street (near the ICC) and the Arcadian provides a lounging experience thats has a calm relaxed Arabesque feel about it and a comfortable cosy arrangement of seating and tables that asks you to linger long into the evening.

 

  
The beautiful thing about Mezze like tapas is its informality. Sharing food is one of my favourite things to do so the long  and varied vegetarian menu was perfect for Ruth and I to share, with plenty to satisfy all tastes.

We began with a couple of cocktail. Ruth the Dry Gin Martini and myself the Old Cuban. Both excellent with the perfect hit of ingredients. The rum and bourbon in mine, deep and velvety, reassuringly complimenting the informality of the dishes. Ruths with the perfect balance of gin and perfectly made. So good we had two more. Superb cocktails. 

  Gin Martini
  Old Cuban 

  

The dishes we ate were: 

Cold Mezze: Humous, Baba Ganoush, Tabouleh, Fatoush, Warak Enab,

Hot Mezze: Batata Harra, Grilled Halloumi, Sambousek cheese, and Falafal, served with flat bread. 

All the dishes were excellent, lovely examples of authenticity and fully enjoyable. 

Take the cold Mezze dish Baba Ganoush, smoky rich, creamy, the distinct aubergine flavour meltingly good on an excellent flatbread.

The Warak Enab, vine leaves stuffed full of rice and spices, morsels of delight and perfect alongside a superbly creamy and silky smooth Humous and light and refreshing Tabouleh with its summery flavours and minty, Parsley soothing hit and the light and breezy Fatoush with its lettuce, tomato, cucumber, mint and onion on flatbread and olive oil dressing. The salads tempered with Middle East herbs are delicious. 

The hot Mezze were equally indulgent and summery. 

The star dish Batata Harra, spiced Lebanese fried potatoes cooked with peppers, chillies, garlic and Corriander. Small morsels if punchy flavours taken alongside the savoury Grilled Halloumi, with its golden brown savoury touch a delight. 

Another dish, the falafel had the perfect weight and flavour. Small balls of chickpeas and onion ( I’m a big fan of chickpeas) deep fried with a tahini sauce. Delicious. 

The only dish that was not such a winner to me was the Sambousek Cheese, which was a light savoury cheese pastry with feta cheese and parsley which was disappointingly bland compared with the deep savoury flavours of the other hot dishes. Shame.

The dishes also came with rice.
  Falafel.  

Batata Harra.

  Fatoush

  Tabouleh.

  Sambousek Cheese

  Humous

  Baba Ganoush  Warak Enab

    
  

Grilled Halloumi  Flatbread

    Rice 

    Veggie menu £20 per person.

Been quite full we decided to share a beautifully sticky and filling Syrup Drizzled Baklava: soaked layers of pastry and chopped nuts, sticky, syrupy. It’s all in the name, delicious especially with the fresh and refreshing mint tea that we enjoyed with it.

    Baklava

  

 Fresh mint tea.

  
  
Our meal at So Mezze was a generous meal. For Vegetarians it’s an excellent choice. With plenty of choice, to fill a number of repeated visits. The set menu allows a full journey and the delight in eating food in a shared informal way is perfect for summer or a group party. It has a confidence in itself, unfussy, and enjoyable in its simple charms. They also cater for vegans and Gluten Free diets with notice when booking and reassuringly  having so much choice is its key to its enjoyment. All the dishes we tried were excellent and we’d have no hesitation to visit again. A hidden, cool and fun gem in the city centre and perfect for us veggies.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

So Mezze,  89 Holloway Head, Birmingham, B1 1QP.

http://www.so-mezze.co.uk/

https://m.facebook.com/somezze/

You can receive a discount of 25% with The Gastro Card at So Mezze from Sunday-Thursday.
http://www.gastrocard.co.uk/restaurants/so-mezze-lounge/

Our meal and drinks were complimentary at So Mezze because of my work for The Gastro Card. All my opinions are honest and my own as always.