Tag Archives: Veggie Foodie

Your one stop guide to veggie dining

Sri Lankan Vegan night with Gayanis Kitchen HQ at The Gunmakers Arms.

Posted in Bars and Pubs, beer, Birmingham, Events, Food, Independent, Sri Lankan food, vegan, vegetarian by

    
Fancy Sri Lankan Vegan food? 

Then on the 10th September Gayanis Kitchen HQ are offering a sumptuous and mouthwatering menu at The Gunmakers Arms in Birmingham City Centre.

On the evening Traditional home cooked dishes using exotic Sri Lankan vegetables and spices and organic rice will provide a feast for the senses and the palate.

There will be a three course meal for £25 including tasters of Two Towers Brewery vegan friendly Ale. 

Please note their is a limit of 20 places available. 

Pre booking is essential and can be done by emailing office@twotowersbrewery.co.uk

The menu is 

Gayani Sewwandi 

Gayani Sewwandi 25 August 22:43

Stsrter: Chick pea baddum with pineapple salad . 

Main with Rice , mushroom curry, Lentil curry, okra baddum, vegetable curry, spring greens mallum, pol sambol, potato baddum , popadums and exotic fruit salad. 

Sounds a magical evening of delicious Sri Lankan food and quality local ales. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Gunmakers Arms, 93 Bath Street, Birmingham City centre. B4 6HG.

Zen Metro launches its Thai Food menu in Birmingham.

Posted in Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Colmore business district, Thai, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

Colmore Business District has always been the hub for great bars and restaurants in Birmingham and now it’s going to get even better with the launch of Zen Metro in Birmingham.

Based on the site of the old Metro Bar and Grill – the restaurant and bar will be launching a new menu serving great Thai food from the 6th July.

Having been taken over by Paul Bassi and Pawan Kenth’s Brandasia Group in 2015, the iconic venue has been refurbished and will be taking a new direction offering a quality offering for its regular business clientele.

After a £250,000 investment, the 100-seater venue has now been transformed into a sophisticated Thai restaurant complete with a huge blossom tree statement piece, emulating a luxurious south-eastern vibe. Guests can enjoy Metro by Day and Zen by Night.

There is a glass private dining room too that seats up to 20 people, where you can enjoy dinner and a quality wine list or liven up the night with some divine Thai inspired cocktails.

This iconic bar is the sister restaurant to award winning Asha’s on Newhall Street, with Jaimon George at the helm. As you would expect from his team, they will be offering exemplary service with an eclectic range of traditional and modern Thai dishes created by Head Chef Shailender Kothiyal, who has spent several years in Thailand learning the cuisine. 

Pawan Kenth of Brandasia said : “Metro has always been immensely popular with property, banking and legal professionals. Great deals have been done here over the past 20 years and we want to continue to make the place great. 

   
 
Birmingham’s hospitality landscape is always changing but Zen Metro will always be part of that and I know our regulars will be proud of how Zen Metro looks today.”
The ethos is based on the Zen Buddism Enso-a circle drawn with one continuous brush stroke to express a particular moment in time that is as individual as the person that created it. 

For Vegetarians try Tom yum noodle soup flavoured with lemon grass, galangal and kafir leaves, Thai Spring rolls, Veg Massaman Curry: Potatoes, onions, carrots, pineapple, Zucchini and peanuts in coconut milk or stir fry mixed vegetables with tofu garlic and soya. Or Pad Thai stir fried rice noodles and pad egg noodles. 

Zen Metro will surely be a good and different addition to the Colmore Business District and for Vegetarians out for the night either with meat eaters or with other veggies an interesting choice which I’m looking forward to trying.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy😊

http://zenmetro.co.uk/

Zen Metro, 73 Cornwall Street, Birmingham City centre. 

0121-200 1911.

http://www.zenmetro.co.uk

http://zenmetro.co.uk/menus/

https://twitter.com/metrobarbham

https://m.facebook.com/metrobarbham/

Also, good news for Gastro Card holders is that you can save 10% off your bill with the card.  See the link below for details: 

http://eblast.barques.co.uk/t/y-l-dkdliid-jutjitlkc-q/

http://www.gastrocard.co.uk/buy/

 
  

Photos courtesy of Zen Metro.
 

Bonjour Birmingham – Bistrot Pierre is in town.

Posted in Birmingham, Breakfasts, Brindley Place, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, French Restaurants, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

The French restaurant group, Bistrot Pierre officially opened its fifteenth bistrot on 1st July in one of Birmingham’s oldest buildings – located on Gas Street.

Having opened their first restaurant in Nottingham more than 20 years ago, school friends and business partners Rob Beacham and John Whitehead are delighted to be opening in the UK’s second city.

“This has been a long time coming and we’re really looking forward to welcoming Birmingham’s diners to our newest location,” said Rob.

“The Grade II listed building is steeped in history, having previously been used as the headquarters for the Birmingham Canal Company – playing a vital role in the rich history of the city.”

Bistrot Pierre received a significant investment from private equity firm, Livingbridge, in 2015 to support its expansion plans – and Birmingham’s bistrot is the first of many new openings since this cash injection.

John said: “We believe very strongly in maintaining an individual and unique feel across our bistrots and the interior in each restaurant strongly reflects its location; no two bistrots are the same. Our passion for French food and high levels of service are features which we believe are paramount across the brand. We’re also very pleased to have created almost 50 new jobs in Birmingham.

“We’ve learnt a lot during our time in business and we continue to adapt and evolve to give the loyal diners we’ve built over the years an authentic and enjoyable dining experience. Birmingham is one of our most exciting openings to date and the bistrot itself is certainly something different for us – and for the city.”

Vegetarian main course options include Super Salade, Risotto vegetarien, Tarte aux Legumes, plus apetisers and starters such as Gousse d’ail rotie ( whole roasted garlic bulb with artisan bread) and signature dish Brioche et champignons (toasted brioche with fricasse of mushrooms).

Menus vary from full A’La Carte to Prix fixe Lunch, pre theatre, breakfast and Long Weekend, plus children’s menus. 

  
The launch of the new Birmingham restaurant coincides with an important rebrand for Bistrot Pierre – modernising its livery with a new look logo, menu design and signage incorporating stylised French characters and artwork, which will be rolled out across all of its restaurants in the coming months.

The independent restaurant group has also embraced the current trend in social media video with its Birmingham launch – introducing its arrival in Britain’s second city with three high quality lifestyle films.

Using three of the restaurants’ own waiting staff as the stars under the umbrella title of #bonjourbirmingham, Birmingham based videographer Ergo films has produced the three films using stunning iconic locations around the city as the backdrop. The first film launched on Bistrot Pierre’s social media channels last week.

“Using video to launch a restaurant is a new venture for us,” explained head of marketing Arpita Anstey. 

“Using video to launch a restaurant is a new venture for us,” explained head of marketing Arpita Anstey. 
“It has been incredibly exciting to see the film’s popularity amongst our new Birmingham audience, having received more than 20,000 views in its first week alone. The reaction to the video has given us a lot of encouragement that our new location is the perfect choice for Bistrot Pierre and that we will be a welcome addition to the city’s important and thriving food scene,” she continued.

Bistrot Pierre has locations across the UK in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Leamington Spa, Harrogate, Ilkley, Sheffield, Stockton Heath, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Plymouth, Torquay, Cardiff, Bath and Newport.

To see the videos, visit http://www.facebook.com/BistrotPierre or follow @LeBistrotPierre on Twitter.

To book a table at the city’s newest French bistrot please contact 0121 616 0730.

  
Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Photos courtesy of Bistrot Pierre.

Veggie Street food watch: Buddha Belly. 

Posted in Brum Yum Yum, Independent, Kings Heath, Street Food, Thai, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie, Veggie Foodie Street Food watch by

  

It seems that you cannot escape street food in Birmingham these days, and rightly so as the informality of eating food this way is an enlightened experience that in particular is Summer on a plate or container in this case. I’m a massive fan and am finding more and more to celebrate with this kind of eating.

It maybe easy to think that the street food scene isn’t for vegetarians and vegans, but one that’s top heavy with burgers and meat traders. Though to a degree this can seem true on occasions, there is a number of vegetarian and vegan traders on the scene as well as traders that cater well for meat free options. It’s just a case of knowing where and to whom to seek out. From burgers, Indian, Thai, Malaysian, Mexican, pizza, cakes, crepes and Mediterranean there’s a whole world to discover.

The beauty of Streetfood is that there’s usually something for everyone. Go with friends, family, children, take your time and explore. Ruth and I frequently go to Brum Yum Yum #KingshEATh in Kings Heath. Often She goes one way for food, I go another then we meet and eat and enjoy a beer with the food. Sometimes we go to the same place, Ruth even has vegetarian or vegan on a occasions. It’s often not knowing what you will choose to eat until you get there that is the pull and where discoveries arise.

So as a way of celebrating streetfood in all its guises I’m introducing an occasional series of posts focusing on the best traders and dishes for Vegetarians and Vegans to try in the Midlands area. 

Buddha Belly run by Sai and her husband James is authentic Thai streetfood that can be enjoyed by everyone. Though not a fully veggie/vegan trader Buddha Belly has superb options that are authentic and a taste sensation. You can find them around Birmingham and the Midlands at streetfood events such as Brum Yum Yum, Digbeth Diner and Scoffs streetfood in Coventry amongst others. 

Sai appeared on Masterchef in 2012 and out of that experience came the Buddha Belly concept that thrills so many and has made them ‘Best Streetfood trader in the Midlands’ and ‘Best streetfood in England and Wales’ winners in 2014. 

Food prepared fresh from scratch, low in fat and authentically made with passion is the name of the game here. Ingredients are sourced locally and all meat (for your chums) is organic/free range and locally supplied. 

All sauces are freshly made, have a serious kick and make the dish what it is..Joyous. 

I tried the Vegan Yellow curry: A creamy, comforting delight of authenticity. Roasted cumin, Corriander seeds, Butternut Squash, Cauliflower, Courgettes.

A big dose of aromatic flavours, a thick consistency, with a delicate velvety texture. 

With lovely spices running through the bright yellow golden ray of sunshine, it’s a Vegan curry to beat. 

Without question the nicest Thai Yellow Curry I’ve eaten in the UK, that’s generous in size for £5 of your street food funds. 

Beautifully memorable flavours and presented to restaurant standard. 

  Vegan Yellow Curry.   

  

Buddha Belly at Brum Yum Yum: KingshEATh. 

  
    
    
 Brum Yum Yum in the sun. 

home

Wash down this delicious curry with  local Two Towers Brewery, Vegan friendly Beers Complete Muppetry and Hockley Gold from The British Bus Bar. 

   

 
 
Buddha Belly also serve Vegetarian Spicy Noodles at streetfood events such as Brum Yum Yum and Digbeth Diner.

Brum Yum Yum is held on the second Saturday of the month, in Kings Heath, Birmingham.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Restaurant review: Rofuto, Broad Street, Birmingham. 

Posted in Bars and Pubs, Birmingham, Cafés and Restaurants, City Centre, Cocktails, Independent, Japanese, Japanese food, vegetarian, Whiskey by

   
 

‘As the wind does blow

Across the trees, I see the

Buds blooming in May’ 

Japanese. Haiku example (modern) author unknown.

I get in lifts quite a lot for work, but the joy of reaching my destination their provides no comparison or fun than getting in a lift at Rofuto. 

There’s something about going up a lift to the sixteenth floor to eat food thats carries more anticipation, more hope, more adventure. I suppose when you have a view from the restaurant then that makes it even more exciting, and we’ve not even eaten yet. 

Rofuto resides in the new Park Regis Hotel at Five Ways/Broad Street. An area that previously so underwhelmed me that that it was unmentionable when it came to visiting. This though has changed. With bells on in fact.

Rofuto is a Japanese restaurant. Japanese food isn’t something I know well and have only just discovered that Vegetarians can eat with gusto. Better late than never. In fact Rofuto ticks many boxes for me. It concentrates on the ethos izakaya or small sharing plates in English. Sharing plates are a revelation and for vegetarians the holy grail of cooking and eating, because it means we have choice. Yay! 

Going Up.

Its not offered on arrival that you get greeted and are shown to the lift   And sent on your way to the 16th floor. Certainly in Birmingham City Council tower blocks that doesn’t happen. A Nice touch. 

Arrived.

Inside Rofuto is an eye catching space. The decor paired down, stylish fittings, fitted with elegance glinting in the late evening sunshine. It’s modern, clean and well lit with a fitted bar in the centre and a 360 degree view. It’s sophisticated city dining. 

Initially we thought it lacked atmosphere and it’s vastness was a hinderance to our enjoyment.Eventually the restaurant filled up and the atmosphere became livlier and much more fun. Though the pop music been played over the speakers was slightly annoying and we felt unnecessary.

Ruth and I were sat at a lovely table, decorated with flowers and with a superb view over the city. Watching the sun set from our vantage we looked at the menu and had a warm relaxed feeling about our evening. Very romantic. 

The menu involves a mixture of sushi (including veggie under Maki) starters, tempura, Robata, mains, and grills. With plenty of Vegetarian options to tempt a return visit.

   Lovely View from our table. 

And bar area below. 

 

Whilst we looked at the menu we ordered two Sake Martini’s (we had to with the view) which was pitch perfect with a nice Japanese twist. Superb. 

    
  Perfect Sake Martini at Rofuto. 

  
   
  Sake Martini, soy, view.  

For our food I ordered a mixture of three dishes to try together. I chose the Asparagus Kushiyaki, Butter Soy, Aubergine Kushiyaki, Nesu Dengaku, and Tempura Vegetables from the Robuta and Tempura sections. 

We also drank some delicious Sake (Japanese rice wine) 

All three dishes together proved to be plentiful in size and complimented each other perfectly. I also chose a large glass of Malbec to have with the dishes. 

The Aubergine Kushiyaki, Nasu Dengaku: A two part dish. A Miso glazed aubergine (Nasu Dengaku), perfectly meaty, fleshy aubergine providing the perfect foil for the intensely flavourful Dengaku sauce. A mixture of sweet and savoury with a potent earthy feel. Lovely. 

The Aubergine Kushiyaki (skewered grilled veg) was delicious. Again well grilled aubergine, not greasy, but firm and juicy. Delicious. Together a perfect demonstration of fresh aubergines. 

  Aubergine Kushiyaki, Nasu Dengaku

The Tempura Vegetables were set in perfecly fried batter, a light, crisp coating that hadn’t absorbed the oil when fried. The veg maintaining a freshness of flavour. A healthy sin of delight. 

  Tempura Vegetables The Asparagus Kushiyaki , Butter Soy was exceptional. As a massive English asparagus fan, the fresh vivid green indulgence were perfectly cooked morsels of delight. Perky, firm and full of flavour. The jewel been the Butter Soy which Raised the dish to new heights and gave an elegant, warm and luxurious rich savouriness to a perfect dish. As a threesome a pleasurable combination of top drawer Japanese cooking. 

  

    
    
  Soy and Sake (Left) Interior

  
    
   

For dessert we chose to share the Matcha Green Tea Tiramisu.  

Now this Dessert intrigued me.asca person who loves tiramisu, this Japanese version was worth trying. It was lovely. Different, but still. creamy, airy and soft. Very light and with a lovely green tea underbelly from the sponge below been soaked in the matcha green tea. A clever and delicious pud. It also looked pretty and was very distinct. 

    Matcha Green Tea Tiramisu.

We were also given to share some  White Chocolate Martini with homemade marshmallows which was the perfect after dinner drink. 

A delicate and light martini. Not creamy or full of chocolate sweetness, but vodka based, and very easy drinking, but potent cocktail. Vodka heaven. 

Ruth said the marshmallows were sticky with subtle indulgent flavours and well presented. A perfect end to the meal. 

    White chocolate Martini with marshmallows.

 
 Espresso 

Afterwards we spent awhile in the comfort of the adjacent Kurabu Bar (Sy Bar) which has giant windows with a panoramic outlook. It has a relaxed vibe and worthy of been a destination for drinking and socialising in its own right. It also plans to serve bar like food.

Here we were given samples of the Japanese Whiskies on offer. We tried shot portions of in particular The Hakushu single malt, The Yamazaki single malt 12year old, Hibiki 17 years. All outstanding and worthy of further drinking. In fact Japanese whisky has a reputation now of been award winning and Rofuto are rightly proud of their whisky range.

Rofuto is a class act. Proving to be one of the best meals I’ve had in Birmingham in recent years. From the attentive and informed service which never wavered and was filled with charm and helpfulness around the menu To the delightful Vegetarian dishes, that were superbly made and presented beautifully. 

Rofuto has the power to be a game changer in Birmingham, it has a special vibe about it and with its cocktails, whisky, views and varied menu it’s a quality experience. 

Sometimes you pay for the view in restaurants and findcthecfood lacking somewhat. Not at Rofuto. 

It ticks a lot of boxes and is one of the best places for Vegetarians in Birmingham, no mistake with food to be repeated especially keen on the veggie sushi. 

Power of five to Rofuto.

Going Up!

  
    
 Rofuto interior. Courtesy of Rofuto. X4 photos.

  

  Kurabu bar (Skybar) AH

  
  View from Kurabu bar AH

  
  The whisky challenge.

 

Thanks for reading,

Andy 😊

Our food and drinks were complimentary. This doesn’t affect my opinion of my experience and the honesty of my review.

Thanks to Neil Reading PR for the invite and four photos of the interior of the restaurant. All other photos are my own.

Rofuto Restaurant, 160 Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1DT.

http://www.rofuto.co.uk/

http://www.parkregisbirmingham.co.uk/dining-bars/rofuto-restaurant/

https://m.facebook.com/Rofuto-1693857547503031/

https://twitter.com/rofutotweets

Restaurant Review: Vanilla Black London revisited. 

Posted in Cafés and Restaurants, London, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

   

I still can remember the first time is saw Michaelangelo’s Ceiling in The Sistine Chapel in Rome, the wonder that something so beautiful had been created and that Art has now evolved over centuries, but still the perfection of a ceiling could rewrite my vision and seduce the poet in me to gasp and be silent. 

Then the other week in London I had the luxury of seeing Claude Monet’s lily pond paintings at The Royal Academy. The simplistic but oh so sure images of a scene that was so precious to him that he recreated it so many times in order to demonstrate its beauty. 

So what’s this got to do with food, or with London’s Vegetarian restaurant Vanilla Black? 

Well it’s with the élan of the cooking and the presentation of the dishes. An artists eye for colour. Art you see can be precise, intricate, and flamboyant, Or it can be dark and light, shades of grime amongst the surface, with Vanilla Black the beauty on the plate of so much of the food presented to us was nuanced with compelling flavours and spoke to me of my morning gallery visit. The design to get it right, the light, the lush, the technicolor of shouting through the spectrum of brightness. 

That is to me Vanilla Black. To be the best, to be thoughtful with every bite the customer takes. The wow factor, the surprise (by meat eating punters) that vegetarian food can be so good. 

So I guess that sounds like a conclusion before I begin. Well in truth it is. Vanilla Black makes you want to mix up the rules, you won’t find burgers, risotto, curry or pasta bake here. Though I guess if you did it would be the best you’d had.

When I first visited Vanilla Black a couple of years ago I was enthralled by it’s heartbeat. Feeling that Nothing could prepare you for the pleasure of eating there. Set in an elegant townhouse in Tooks Court, the legal area of East London, the dining room is a mellow sophisticated hush of understatement. Muted colours, a calming air of relaxation. It feels right before you even begin the food. 

Ruth and I visited on a Saturday evening. Its popularity was visible and it was noticeable that their was a fair bit of smiling when people’s food arrived. That wow factor I mentioned. 

An amuse bouche, sorbet like. A cleansing begining. Followed by some stunning homemade bread, always a good sign of things to come.    Amuse Bouche. Fresh homemade bread.

So to the food. My starter Dried Yeast Pumpkin Terrine with Orange Purée -Seeded Cinder toffee, mulled pumpkin and oil. A beautifully constructed dish of subtle but cooling flavours. The terrine with hints of toffee running through against the bright fruity orange that dances upon the tongue. Layers of unorthodox flavous, sharper with every mouthful. Lovely. 

  

  

Ruth’s Yorkshire Blue Cheese Toastie, Crisp Rye, Grapes, Puffed Wheat: Light, cheesy, no bread, constructed and flavoured beautifully. She loved it. 

  

It’s when the creative imagination of the chef (Andrew Dargue) consumes a dish that you know that you are in elegant surroundings. Take my main course: Salted and Ash baked Celeriac & Kale-Whey poached celeriac, Broccoli, Yoghurt Curd: A dish with layers and layers of differing textures and flavours. 

The earthy, crisp, bright coloured  kale, the subtle but soft whey poached celeriac of oozy decadence. Then the ash baked celeriac, the charred crust of the charcoal baked with a riveting harmonious result that’s lifts the root vegetable to another level entirely. Clever enlightened cooking, every ingredient put together perfectly. A supreme dish. 

 Salted and Ash Baked celeriac and Kale-Whey poached celeriac, Broccoli, yoghurt curd.

  

 Ruth’s main course 

 

Desserts follow a similar creative line as the first two courses. Mine, Poached Rhubarb with Salted Orange Yoghurt and Rhubarb Toffee: Crispy Porridge and Moscatel Syrup: The shocking pink of rhubarb beautifully poached, a depth of tart flavour set off by the dash of explosively crispy porridge as a contrast. Plated like a painting of subtle brush strokes that is playfully mastered and cleverly executed. I loved the complete flavours of this dessert. 

Ruth’s Chocolate Brownie crumble with Marmalade parfait and crispy milk: Dark Chocolate, contreau, candied kumquat which she enjoyed especially the harmonious flavours of the chocolate and the orange. 

All of this is done with effortless and charming service from front of house Donna and her team, who are passionate about their dishes and the experience you may discover. 

  

The dark cooking clouds have lifted. Visiting Vanilla Black will certainly banish those over cooked risottos and death by pasta bake. Food consumed with big brash bold flavours

Vanilla Black is an upmarket treat that offers thoughtful indulgences of veggie decadance. It’s a remarkable experience of creative, beautifully presented and exciting food that is art on the plate and a brushstroke on the palette. Even non veggies would love the sophistication, the cleverness, the fun and the delight of this bright canvas of  vegetables. Food executed perfectly, the fact that it’s all Vegetarian is a bonus. 

And then there’s Michaelangelo’s ceiling, well that’s one of the wonders of the world. An idea from a seed of inspiration, much like vegetables, and then it’s what you do with them that matters, that is what makes art. For the food you are unlikely to have tried anything like it before. 

  

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

Disclaimer: Our food and drinks were complimentary. This doesn’t affect my honest opinion of our meal. 

With thanks to Andrew and Donna for their hospitality and conversation. 

Vanilla Black, 17-18 Tooks Court, CT London EC4A 1LB. 

Subway: Chancery Lane

020-7242 2622.

http://www.vanillablack.co.uk/

http://www.vanillablack.co.uk/menus/vegan-menu

https://twitter.com/vanillablack1?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

New Bar launch: Be At One Cocktail Bar, Birmingham. 

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

   

  
  
Be at One is a new underground cocktail bar that’s just opened in the lower part of Piccadilly Arcade, opposite New Street Station in Birmingham City Centre.

Be at One has 150 cocktails available on its menu. They fall in four types, classic, signature, modern and virtuous and Virgin. 

Be at One is located in the former Churchills basement snooker club in Stephenson Street at the back of Piccadilly Arcade, and will open on Friday May 13th.

The bar is part of a chain which currently has 31 venues across the UK including Bath, Bristol and Cardiff and 19 in London.

Be At One’s original bar was opened in 1998 in Battersea Rise, London.

The bar will be open until 3am every day except Sundays (12am close).
   

you can expect great service, an unbeatable party atmosphere and a pretension-free attitude! 

On the menu you will find concoctions such as Banana banchee, Brazilian monk, Japanese slipper, Russian spring punch, devil in disguise and flame haired vixen. 

Be At One will be the only bar in the arcade which also houses Faculty Coffee and 16 Bakery. 

Ruth and I visited for their press launch on the 11th May. Here are some of the photos. Apologies for the darkness of them. 

It was an impressive evening. 

   Margarita and Negroni.

 A Perfect Negroni. Probably the best I’ve had in Birmingham. Full of Campari depth. Perfection and deeply Italian, just needed some Aperitivo snacks.

I also tried a top notch and my new favourite cocktail a Rob Roy.
Made from Beautiful Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, and Dash of angostura Bitters. Well recommended, whisky lovers try it. 

   
The Interior, dark but cool and funky style with a large island style bar and lots of red. 

It has Bustling but fab service and bar staff that know their way round their drinks. 

One of the bar’s quirks is a slightly sloping ceiling, from the days 100 years ago when The Picture House cinema was above.

The 34-page menu has 150 cocktails in it. Roughly £8.50 a cocktail. Some less expensive, some more. 

 Ruth’s  Vesper cocktail. 

Originally in the James Bond book Casino Royale  and became his signature cocktail. Gin, Vodka and Kina Lillet. Top notch, she said and her new favourite cocktail. Ruth enjoying her Vesper cocktail.

Photos above from the press launch on May 11th.

There is a Happy Hour enables you to buy one cocktail and get one free for a partner.

The hours are from 4.30pm til 1.30am Monday to Wednesday, 4.30pm till 3.00am Thursday to Saturday and Sunday 4.30-Midnight. 

For a list of their cocktails 

http://www.beatone.co.uk/cocktails

You can find Bar At One on the New Street Station side of The Piccadilly Arcade B2 4BJ.

http://www.beatone.co.uk/cocktail-bar/birmingham

https://www.facebook.com/BeAtOneBirmingham

https://twitter.com/beatone_brum

http://www.beatone.co.uk/media/images/AWBe-At-One-WEB-No-Prices_1876.pdf

Drink Photos courtesy of Be At One. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

All drinks in the photos and mentioned were complimentary from the press night. 

   
 Be At One Bar at the foot of the arcade, near the station and next to Cafe Nero.

   
 

Opus launch new 2 course for £25 Market menu every Friday evening with added wine. 

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

  
  
Friday evenings at Opus is a new concept menu that celebrates local and sustainable produce. 

Now you know what they say. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, or eat 5 a day: Either way, Opus has this sorted. 

Opus is one of the best restaurants if not the best for vegetarians in Birmingham that isn’t purely veggie. So if you have meat eating mates or partner, then this bargain Friday indulgence maybe for you. 

Every Friday you can enjoy two courses from their British market menu including Vegetarian options, home baked bread and half a bottle of house wine for £25.00 per person. The perfect way to kickstart your weekend! 

All dishes reflect produce from their family of farmers and fishermen around the British Isles, including   Worcester Produce, Caroll’s Heritage potatoes, M&J Seafood, Brixham Seafish, and award winning butchers Aubrey Allen.

Available Every Friday from 6pm for £25 per person. 

Join in an celebrate the beauty of British produce. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

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

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

http://heritage-potatoes.co.uk/

Opus has recently launched a new vegetarian menu. For my review see here: 

https://t.co/AIpppfvenl

   
    
 Photos from Opus’ recent vegetarian menu.

   
 

Birmingham Viva Vegan Festival: Saturday 30th April, Birmingham Council House. 

Posted in Birmingham, City Centre, Festivals, vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  

  
Viva! Europe’s largest Vegan campaigning group is visiting Birmingham this weekend, Saturday 30th April.

 Aimed at not just vegan and veggies, but meat eaters and meat reducers too, the festival’s have visited 37 towns and cities in the last 9 years and attracted over 60,000 visitors. 

From 10-30-4pm at Birmingham City Council House, Victoria Square, B1 1BB. 

For Free Entry there are hot and cold food tastings, free advice, vegan products, cookery demos, hot and cold food, chocolates. Information, beauty products, fashion, books, campaign news and talks by top speakers. 

Local and national producers are taking part. 

The tastings are free, as is the advice on all veggie subjects, including health and nutrition. 

Viva will also be producing a comprehensive listing of local places to stay and eat as well as local health food shops for visitors to take away with them. 

Remember entry is free so if you are in or around Birmingham City Centre, just pop in. You’ll never know what you’ll find. 

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊

http://www.viva.org.uk/festivals/birmingham-2016

  

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Veggie Foodie. 

Posted in vegan, vegetarian, Veggie foodie by

  
Today marks the 2nd Anniversary since I began my blog Veggie Foodie.

I can’t quite believe that it’s two years since I had the crazy idea to write a Vegetarian Blog that focused on eating out and I wished to become a resource for vegetarians and vegans in Birmingham and beyond. 

Since I began it, my blog has become like my right hand. Constantly with me, always in the back of my mind, and with the next post or six in mind. 

I wouldn’t have been able to write it without the support of my readers. So thank you to those who’ve liked, commented, retweeted, shared and encouraged me over the last two years. In particular my wife Ruth who plays the calm to my storm in my thoughts, writings and my blogs evolvement. 

Thanks also to my fellow food bloggers, (both locally and far and wide) as reading your blogs inspires me to keep writing and celebrate this great foodie city and the wonderful world of food.

   
   
So here’s to another year of eating out, sharing and encouraging. 

The dining scene is changing, in most cases for the better, in others not so. But hey, that’s life. 

I have some great reviews and posts to come. So keep an eye out and if you write, keep writing or if not, then maybe you could do it too.

Thanks for reading, 

Andy 😊