Tag Archives: Tasty Morsels

#TastyMorsels: Veggie and Vegan happenings.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Curry restaurants, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Indian restaurants, Italian restaurants, Tasty Morsels, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Mowgli Street Food is opening at Grand Central by the end of September, offering simple Indian street food.

YouTube Vlogger Nisha Katona owns the restaurant which originated in Liverpool.

Mowgli will opening in the centres casual dining area next to Tapas Revolution and Pho. Serving home style fresh food including tiffin boxes.

Mowgli sets itself up as taste of adventure with their famous yogurt chat Bombs at the heart of the menu.

The menu will include many vegan dishes and will now doubt be popular amongst veggies and vegans in Birmingham.

A healthy mix of good food and fun atmosphere awaits.

Watch this space for more news as I know it.

Laghi’s Deli has just opened on Islington Row just off Five Ways island.

Italian delights a plenty, home made breads, cakes, homemade pasta you name it it’s here. They also do Aperativi. The aperitivo period after work in Italy when for the price of a cocktail or wine finger foods can be enjoyed alongside. So try focaccia, olives or cheese maybe. Heaven! Is there a finer time in Italy? From 5-7pm

Oh and good coffee…but of course.

They also stock an impressive range of wine.

The 40 cover restaurant bar is open for brunch, lunch and dinner.

Expect a visit from me, to sample their wares, at some point… could be the Italian gaff I’ve been dreaming of for Brum!

At last.

Laghi’s is open from 8am-11.30pm Mondays to Saturdays.

Vegan Mex it Up are presenting An American Affair on Saturday 30th September at The Pie Shop in Stirchley on the Pershore Road.

The menu is below:

Booking via info@mexitupfoods.com

The Vegan Cakery will be providing the desert.

Mex it up have also been nominated for best vegan caterer. You can vote for them below.

https://london.vegfest.co.uk/awards/vote/

As mentioned in the previous Tasty Morsels, The Indian Streatery is now open for business with a great selection of veggie and Vegan dishes. The menu is below:

Find it on Hill Street just off New Street in Birmingham City Centre.

I Can’t wait to try it out.

Las Iguanas opened on Temple Street in the city centre on the 28th August. The Latin American themed restaurant has many vegetarian dishes and a devoted Vegan menu on offer. Plus 2-4-1 cocktails all day every day. They are also still open in The Arcadian area of Brum.

Tamatanga.

Anther new Indian Street Food eatery is due to open in Birmingham City Centre on Navigation Street this month. Tamatanga is Nottingham based for over ten years and is now opening up a flag ship restaurant in Brum. Authentic Indian dishes will be served all day including breakfast and the restaurant will be completely family friendly.

Open from 7.30am food will include breakfast items and thali’s and small plates, 3 dishes for £15 and five for £23.

Veggie Dishes include Chaat, veg samosas, chilli paneer and a dish called ragda Pattice, crispy potato cakes on masala yellow peas, with homemade chutneys.

Cocktails are also served.

They will have crayons, high chairs and kids menus.

Sounds a brilliant family restaurant.

Can’t wait to try it.

Vegetarian restaurant Bistro 1847 are offering 50% off in Birmingham this month (September). For tables up to 4 people, when booking quote September50 in the comments section online and receive the deal on their a la Carte menu.

Sounds veggie and vegan heaven to me.

Photo AH

And another new kid on the block is Grit -Food and Drink- opening at the space in the Jewellery Quarter vacated later this month by the excellent Two Cats Kitchen.

The former Jewellery workshop on Warstone lane will be serving affordable quality food from an A la Carte menu. More neighbourhood restaurant than fine fine dining a sample menu highlights some lovely sounding veggie dishes such as caramelised cauliflower, scorched salad , truffle, cheddar and sunflower seed. Using some of the old Two Cats team this opening sounds right nip my street and offers the type of food I love.

Can’t wait, Standby for more details when I have them.

Open October 17th.

And finally Brewdog in Birmingham have a showcase and meet the brewer on Friday September 8th with Kings Heath, Vegan Brewery Glasshouse Beer Co.

Showcasing 4 beers, Vermont Pale, IPA, Choccy Milk, and Stout and Raspberry Pale.

A Brewery to keep an eye on, but of course I’m biased.

Oh, and Ben and Jerry’s are now selling Vegan ice Cream across U.K. Supermarket s. Check out the flavours below. Enjoy.

That’s all for now folks.

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

All images and photos courtesy of restaurants and breweries apart from where stated.

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#TastyMorsels: Veggie/Vegan friendly Happenings and new openings.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Events, Independent, Solihull, Tamworth, Tasty Morsels, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Frais Healthy cafe and juice bar in Shirley on the Solihull, Birmingham border has a Vegan pop up night on the 9th June from 7.30pm.



They are also serving Vegetarian and Vegan breakfasts every weekend from £5.99. Dependent on the size ordered. 

Frais is an excellent spot for veggies and vegans with plenty of options on their menu. 

Well worth checking out. 

https://www.frais.co.uk/

You can find them at Stratford Road Parkgate in Shirley. B90 3GG.

Call 0121-439 1718 to Book for vegan pop up. 

Full Details below. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1898949673654275??ti=ia 

The extremely talented and dynamic Katy Beskow has a new Vegan cook book out. Called 15 minute vegan it is just this. Recipes for a modern age in super quick time. 

There are 100 recipes in the collection plus tips on preparation, store cupboard ingredients and an introduction to vegan cooking. Recipes include breakfasts, light bites, mains, essentials and sweet stuff. 

Her blog http://littlemissmeatfree.com/ is wonderful. 

You can also catch her at The Foodies Festival in Birmingham on the 24tth June at 12pm, demonstrating dishes from her new book which can be brought from the usual outlets. 

The Birmingham festival is at Canon Hill Park from the 23-25 June. 

http://foodiesfestival.com/birmingham/

http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/foodiesfestival?_ga=2.5260659.1985093644.1495532625-1125363770.1495532589

The Brum Brewing Company’s Tap Room is open for the first time on Friday 2nd June 4-8pm and Saturday 3rd 12-5pm. All Brum Brewing Co’s beers are unfined and Vegan Friendly. 

Based in Stirchley, Brum Brewing Co is Birmingham’s newest Real Ale and craft beer brewery. 

The tap room will have Bitter Brummie on cask and Pale Brummie on cask and keg for starters. 

Wine and soft drinks will also be served. 

Next month you can check out their IPA and experimental brew. 

http://www.birminghambrewingcompany.co.uk/ and sign up for their mailing for updates. 

You can also catch them at Kings Heath Streetfood Market on the second Saturday of every month.

This of course is next Saturday 10th June. Full line up yet to be confirmed. 

Dates for the tap room opening are Friday 30th June and Saturday 1st July,  28th July and 29th July, 25th and 26th August, 22nd and 23rd September. 

Cans of their beer are stocked in Connollys  in the city centre and Stirchley Wines. 



20th-22nd July is The Brum Vegan Beer and Food Festival. Watch this space for more details and full line up.  The festival also coincides with Birmingham Beer Week. 

It’s a great event. 



The Colmore Food Festival returns from the 30th June-1st July. Held in Victoria Square. 

If you haven’t been it’s a fab free admission weekend for veggie foodies with all the top Colmore Business district restaurants and cafes present. 

Plenty of good value Vegetarian dishes from the likes of Asha’s, Chung Ying Central, Opus Restaurant, Jojalapa, and Zen Metro among others. 

Cocktails from Bar Opus, and The Alchemist, Beer from The Wellington and Pure Bar, plus coffee from 200 Degrees. Hotel Du Vin and Purnells Bistro will also be there for the drinks. 

Plus demos from Glyn Purnell, Aktar Islam and others and live music. 

All taster dishes are available for £4 or less. Admission Is free. 

https://www.facebook.com/events/731144610388143??ti=ia

A real celebration of Birmingham. 

See you there. 


This Sunday 4th June is the first Tamworth Vegan Fair at The Castle Hotel in the town. 

It’s Free entry with 30 fab stalls, best vegan caterers and talks. Check out amongst others, The Vegan Pizza Company, The Vegan Cakery, The May Bakery, Sicily to Seattle, and The Ginger Cow UK and Chaat Man. Plus cakes from The Vegan Cakery. 

 It’s from 10.30-4pm. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

All Photos courtesy of places mentioned. With thanks. 

#TastyMorsels: Veggie/Vegan happenings and new openings. 

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, Kings Heath, Moseley by


The veggie/vegan scene is changing for the better in Birmingham as we speak. 

Natural Healthy Foods are due to open up a Organic, Vegan store and Eatery in Birmingham City Centre later this month. 

Part shop, part cafe it will serve hot and raw Vegan food, gluten free options and drinks. All sugar free. 

Stocking over 1500 vegan products. It’s a one stop shop like their Digbeth shop which is an oasis of Vegan good and gifts. 

Located on Suffolk Street, Queensway, it will serve the divine sounding Smokey Black bean chilli with walnut chorizo, Sri Lankan Dhal Curry, Creamy Kale with Ginger and miso dressing,  Zucchini spaghetti with creamed porcini mushrooms and truffle oil, risottos, cheesecakes and brownies amongst other things.

Almost everything sold will be organic, gluten free and free from refined sugar. As well as selling Birmingham’s best supply of organic fruit and veg, the eatery will also host a range of raw chocolate, fermented foods and drink including tempeh and Kombucha. 

Keep your eyes peeled for further updates and a review. 


The Karma Collectve Diner at The Purely Vegan Store in Kings Heath is now open: Mex it Up vegan pizza superstars are doing a pop up on Sunday 12th March from 11am to 3pm. 

Expect Jackfruit rolls and Quesadillas. 

Check Facebook for details. 

Find at 271 Alcester Road South, Kings Heath. B14.

Damacsena has now opened in Birmingham City Centre. With their Moseley cafe doing sound business for a number of years this opening opposite the cathedral has a good selection of Syrian dishes and bakes to savour. Try Veggie friendly falafels, hummus, platters, flatbreads, Spinach and sumac herb pastry, pecan pie tarts, cakes, tarts and Sweet pastries. Plus breakfasts. 

The list is endless. 

http://www.damascena.co.uk/about.html

New Italian deli Sapori Di Sole has opened in Moseley. Owned by the same people who run Byzantium in Kings Heath, Italian Antonello Turco and his wife Efua. Their staff are Italian. 

Selling own label Peranzano Extra Virgin Olive oil, cheeses, hot food to take away, chocolate, olives and pastries. With some tables inside try their espresso with a paposcia a cross between a pizza and bread. For veggies try goats cheese and tomatoes.

Find it on St Mary’s Row in Moseley near the church. Recognised by its striking blue door.


Yorks Bakery are opening up later this month at The Ikon Gallery replacingthe much  missed Cafe Opus. 

Yorks are always  excellent for veggies and vegans their new cafe/bar should provide a soothing all day and evening Vegetarian and Vegan friendly spot of heaven for the drab and underwhelming veggie scene around Brindley Place. 

Serving their exquisite coffee and brunch menu in the day,that will include Shakshuka, Eggs Benedict, Avocado Smash and pastries among other things, expect at night craft beer, stone baked pizza (lunch also), sharing plates and Mezze with a dash of cocktails.  A much needed opening. 

Stand by for more news on menu shortly. 

http://www.yorks.co.uk/

http://www.yorksbakerycafe.co.uk/


Cooks in Case are bringing Puglian Italian Food to Kings Heath’s Kitchen Garden Cafe at the end of the month. Their pop up is proving popular already so bookings are now been taken for Thursday 30th March and Saturday 1st April. Vegetarian options are available and the night sounds temptingly authentic and charming informal Homemade desserts are available too. 

Contact Kitchen Garden for details or via their website. 

All Veggie, Not Dogs is now open in the city centre. Veggie and Vegan hot dogs galore. Located on Link Street, between Debenhams and Grand Central at The Bullring just by New Street Station. 

Try also tasty burgers and crispy fries.

With a lot of new openings in Birmingham at the moment, it seems a number are all style over substance and it’s hard to call if they can be rewarding for Vegetarians on the eating out front. As so often the case many are meat centred and thus difficult to judge. 

Thankfully their are many great places to eat that have opened or due to open. See my posts on Zindiya And Indian Brewery. 

https://t.co/uAbc0SCRAt 

https://t.co/CqIMErzm0o

Keep reading my blog to find out about the best places for veggies and vegans to eat and drink in and for more Tasty openings. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Photos courtesy of restaurants etc. 

#Tastymorsels: Bar Opus and Opus latest.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Independent, Independent Birmingham, Tasty Morsels, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

Three nice pieces to share about two of Birmingham’s finest Independent restaurants and two of the best places for Vegetarians to eat in the city, 

Bar Opus based in the heart of Birmingham’s bustling Colmore Business District has appointed Carl Hawkins as its new general manager. 

Born and raised in Birmingham, Carl has over 15 years’ experience as a ‘liquid chef’ working with some of Birmingham’s finest cocktail destinations. With a vast amount of experience in the bar industry, Carl was eager to join the Opus family and help catapult Bar Opus into the forefront of the Birmingham food and drink scene.   

Carl previously worked for The Jekyll & Hyde pub where, under his leadership, it became a national finalist for “Best Spirit Pub” in 2013 and “Best Cocktail Menu” by Class Magazine in 2011. Carl is also one of the founders of the Birmingham Association of Bartenders and has been committed to cultivating the next generation of bartenders for over a decade. 

Speaking of his appointment, Carl said: “I am excited to become a part of, what I consider, a legacy project. I believe that Bar Opus will become a Birmingham institution and will be here for many years to come. We will be bringing a contemporary technique to cocktail making that will keep customers coming back. Bar Opus will exceed expectations of what a cocktail bar in Birmingham should be and we will redefine the cocktail and dining experience” 

 Irene Allan, director at Opus, said: “Carl is creative and passionate about enhancing the bar experience. We are thrilled to have his expertise to help establish Bar Opus as one of Birmingham’s premier bars. Carl knows the ins and outs of the Birmingham bar scene and his leadership and skills will be essential to the bar’s success.” 

Bar Opus is the sixth-month old bar addition to the Opus family, boasting a contemporary and modern landscape that will cement it as a city staple. Keeping with the Opus ethos, Bar Opus develops innovative food and cocktail menus, uses the freshest produce from the company’s range of British and strictly sustainable suppliers and engages with British spirit suppliers to create its inspiring cocktails.   
 

Birmingham waitress achieves prestigious hospitality award: 

 A talented waitress at city-centre restaurant Opus at Cornwall Street, Gabriella Murea has achieved the celebrated Service Award at this year’s Royal Academy of Culinary Arts Annual Awards of Excellence.

The final, which took place on Saturday 16th May at Le Gavroche, London, saw Gabriella and 15 other finalists from some of the country’s finest restaurants and hotels serve a three course meal to two guests. As part of the service, Gabriella had to set up the table, decant and describe the wine, and fillet a dover sole in front of the diners. The awards, which have a high-profile judging panel, received an unprecedented number of entries and are designed to encourage young people within hospitality to achieve the highest possible standards in their profession.

Gabriella, 26, has worked at Opus for just over six months whilst studying hospitality and events management at University College Birmingham (UCB) and was the only finalist from the Midlands to be shortlisted for the award. Speaking about her achievement, she said: “I’m so happy to have passed and got my award. I prepared as much as I could for each stage of the process and it has really paid off. The standard was very high and I am delighted that the judges saw the quality of work that I can produce and felt it worthy of the award.”
Irene Allan, restaurant director at Opus restaurant, said: “This is such a fantastic achievement for Gabriella. She is an absolute perfectionist and always delivers superb service, so to have this award as recognition of that is a huge accomplishment. Pawel, our restaurant manager, has been an inspiring mentor for Gabriella and has supported all her hard work. We are committed to developing both our front of house and kitchen teams and encourage them to go for awards like this. Everyone at Opus is immensely proud of her and we’re privileged to have her working with us.”

This follows on from Opus at Cornwall Street promoting head chef Ben Ternent to Executive chef to replace David Colcombe who helped launch Opus a decade ago and had run its kitchens. 

He will manage a team of eleven chefs and three kitchen porters at the groups three venues- Opus at Cornwall Street, Bar Opus and Cafe Opus at the Ikon Gallery in Brindley Place. He will help to develop menus and buy produce from the companies range of local and sustainable suppliers and continue to cook. 

We wish him well, and hope that standards will be maintained. 

  
I can’t wait to see what he and his team cook up in the future, as vegetarian dishes are always worth tasting at Opus. 

Thanks for reading 
Andy 😊

#TastyChristmasmorsal: Bistro 1847 Veggie Christmas menu

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, Cocktails, Independent, Tasty Morsels, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

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Bistro 1847 in Birmingham City Centre last week launched its modern vegetarian Christmas menu.

They have a two course and three course menu available from Monday to Friday over lunch and dinner, plus Saturday all day and Sunday lunch.

There is also a six course taster menu available. Contact the bistro for the menu.

The menu includes vegan options too.

To make a booking call Birmingham on 0121 236 2313.

Or email them at Christmas@bistro1847.co.uk

Booking is advised.

For the menu see

Click to access ChristmasPDF.pdf

Or at http://www.bistro1847.com under Christmas

Please note the menus may differ to the ones on the website.

Menus: 2 courses £18
3 courses £24

And a tasting menu is £40 for six courses plus coffee and petit fours.

Bistro 1847 are also running a cocktail masterclass for £29.00 for 2 courses and £36.00 for three courses including 2 cocktails which you will be shown how to make yourself.

For my review see below:

Bistro 1847
26 Great Western Arcade
Colmore Row
B2 5HU

http://www.By1847.com

@by1847

0121 236 2313

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Review:

A visit to Bistro 1847 whatever the time of year is a joyous experience of perfect harmonies and sweet choral voices, but at Christmas it’s like a sweet Christmas carol that evokes the season and makes you swoon and smile.

As always with Bistro 1847 the dishes are innovative, quirky and a pleasure to the eye. The service on the night Ruth and I visited was spot on, attentive and friendly with an enthusiasm for the seasonal menu and knowledge of the excellent cocktails which we enjoyed.

Ruth and I chose off the Christmas mini a la carte-grazing menu.

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To begin we ate:

Lemon-grass, chili, coconut, parsnip, potato crackling, wild mushroom, (2nd photo)

Ruth really enjoyed the complex flavours and the combination of textures on this dish.

I ate the

Wild herb sauce, wild sea cabbage, Brussel sprout, potato crackling and ‘parmesan’ dumpling: (1st photo)

I have to say an outstanding dish, you either love or loath sprouts, but even the most hardened sprout hater would love the textures and slightly crunchy cabbage and bitter sprout flavours of this dish which was a real twist on the Christmas tradition. Lovely.

To follow we both chose the same dish:

Spiced squash and nut praline filo, real ale gravy, seasonal vegetables.

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Probably the most traditional Christmas dish on the menu. Deliberately chosen for this reason. It ticked all the boxes for us, a real warming, filling comfort food dish, with lovely notes of squash and real ale gravy. The filo was delicious, firm, but soft, beautifully presented, a real winner.

For desert Ruth chose and enjoyed the Christmassy toffee flavours of the Sticky toffee, chestnut, smoked ice cream

I chose the sorrel, white chocolate, Apple, Douglasfir.

Very Bistro 1847, a lovely combination of flavours with the white chocolate running through the dish, really nice.

We finished off with two coffee liqueurs, which were a coffee hit, almost espresso like, lovely.

The Christmas mini a la carte menu is a lovely festive menu. Innovative, thoughtful with a delicate leaning to the season, tradition and most definately jolly and different.

On the night the Bistro was full, which was lovely to see and why we booked and wished to visit on a Friday night.

For a different Christmas type experience with good veggie and vegan dishes Bistro 1847 is a restaurant worth checking out.

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Our two meals and cocktails were kindly complimentary, we also purchased ourselves two glasses of organic wine and a side of fresh bread. All opinions expressed are my own and honest as always. A favourable review was not required.

I would like to personally thank all the staff at Bistro 1847, chef Alex, and Damien for all their kind support of my blog this year.

Thanks guys and have a very happy Christmas and New Year.

Here’s to the New Year’s dishes. 😊 and further visits in 2015.

Thanks for reading

Andy 🙂

Tasty Morsels: bite size foodie happenings

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Events, Independent, Pop up's, Pubs, Tasty Morsels by

Kings Heath in South Birmingham, is currently a hot bed of foodie delights. There are a number of exciting tasty morsels happening as we speak:)

1. Hare and Hounds pub Five Week restaurant project. With a different pop up project every week taking over their recently refurbished upstairs bar area and kitchen.

Week 1 Thursday 17th July 2014 sees City centre rustic Mexican street food pioneers Habaneros take centre stage offering 3 courses for £17.50. Begins at 7.30pm.

Please note this event was cancelled. There are full refunds available.

Week 2: Japanese caterers Pika Pika pop up on Thursday 24th July to provide 3 courses of authentic Japanese food including a veggie set menu for £15.

Week3: Esteeemed pop up due Clarke and Lee of CANeat fame take over the bar with their twist on Asian soul food. See Clarke and Lee in the Heath plus cocktails from the Hare and Hounds on the 31st July at 6.45pm. Price £22.50.

Please note that this pop up isn’t suitable for veggies and vegans:(

Week 4: veggie Pop up Dosa offer their fab dosas (like crepes) from the southern Indian region of Kerala. Starts at 7.30pm for 3 courses costing £12, bargain. 🙂 on the 7th August. Dosa’s can be made vegan by request.

5: August 14th: Fingys Take Over. Alan ‘Fingy’ Thomson brings an evening of Peruvian and Latin food of the highest order. Three courses for £15.

Tickets available for all on website.

Hare and Hounds is on York Road on the corner of the High Street.

See http://www.hareandhoundskingsheath.co.uk/events-listings for details and reservations/bookings/tickets.

2. The Blue Rabbit & Co are operating out of The Kitchen Garden Cafe on York Road every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night offering 2 courses for £15 and 3 courses for £18.

Led by chef Dominic Simmonds @Dominicsimmonds, they offer high quality simple food at reasonabl prices for the quality of the sourcing and ingredients. a great independent bistro idea:) There are good veggie options. Contact 0121 443 4725 for reservations.

3. Taco Tuesday’s continue at Cherry Reds in Kings Heath on the last Tuesday of the month. Cherry Reds is in Kings Heath on York Road near The Kitchen Garden Cafe. Veggie options are always on the menu, dates to come 29th July and 26th August. Beautiful soft shell taco’s and killer Margaritas will be on offer. http://www.cherryreds.com for details.

4. Blue Ginger at 72 Poplar Road Kings Heath, serve authentic Singaporian and Malaysian Foood, Its the sister restaurant of my recently reviewed Blue Piano bar and restaurant in Edgbastion. Every Monday night they hold a vegan night, serving vegan dishes. On the menu I’ve counted 5 starters, 7 Mains, 6 sides, and 2 deserts. See webiste http://www.bluegingerrestaurant.co.uk for menu. Contact 0121 444 0999 for reservations.

If you order before 6.30pm Monday-friday you get 20% off the food bill.

Hoping myself to get to some of those at some point.

If anyone knows of any items that maybe considered ‘Tasty morsels’ in your area, and are food and drink related please get in touch or leave a comment on my blog under this post.

Until the next ‘Tasty morsel’. 🙂

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