If you haven’t heard of ‘that Peruvian restaurant in Moseley’, Chakana, then where have you been for the past two and a half years bab? Everybody’s talking about it.
Chakana made OpenTable’s list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK last year, the only Birmingham restaurant to be included. Critic Jay Rayner gave it rave reviews stating “it’s all kinds of fabulous”, and after my recent visit I threatened Twitter followers that if they didn’t book a table I would eat my beret. Thank you friends for saving me from dry mouth, indigestion and regret.
On a Friday evening in January, I booked their Peruvian 9-course tasting menu priced at £60 PP. Located in an old bank on the Alcester Road in Moseley and run by Michelin-starred chef Robert Ortiz, Chakana is stylish and underrated. Stark white walls dressed only with pops of vibrant artwork, Chakana is a sleek and modern salute to traditional Peruvian fare. As I take my seat, I feel comfortable right away thanks to the friendly welcome from our server. Within five minutes, our Peruvian experience began with a pre-dinner cocktail priced at £8.50. James had the Chakana Pisco Sour and I opted for the Melon Pisco Punch, the perfect little taster of what was to come. Our spirits were certainly lifted!
The first dish was the Peruvian quinoa corn bread with rocoto chilli tigers milk yoghurt which was a great introduction to Peruvian cuisine.Combined with the yoghurt it was light but tickled the taste buds perfectly. Now I want more.
Next up was the Tuna Quinoa Nigiri served on quinoa instead of rice, one mouthful and it was gone, just like that but was incredibly satisfying. The tuna was zesty fresh and the quinoa a perfect replacement for the traditional sticky rice.
The course that many people rave about is the Sea Bass Ceviche with tigers milk, sweet potato and canchita corn. I had a bit of a Ratatouille moment, one bite and the whole room fell silent, I zoned out, all that mattered was that dish. I don’t think I have ever had an experience like that, it was incredible and possibly the best fish dish I will ever have.
Service is sharp if perhaps a little speedy as they rarely give you a break in-between courses. I didn’t mind this, I don’t like waiting for food but a word of warning for those who get full up easily and like a break. After the Ceviche which is a tough dish to top, we were served the hand-dived orkeny scallop tiradito with Andean chillies and it was well up for the challenge set by the ceviche. It was sweet and punchy, a dish that doesn’t look like much but my god, it packs some phenomenal flavours. It’s just a shame there wasn’t more of it.
After the scallop dish, we noticed that the time between courses seemed to be getting longer as the room started to fill up. From a 5-minute wait between courses it became a 20-minute wait and a bit of a pain in the arse to try and grab someone for a drink. I could see there were only three staff members on that night with a full house of diners, so we understood and carried on with our night but made sure to two order two drinks instead of one!
Next course was the Asparagus Causa which was a nice refreshing dish with an organic egg, It was a bit of an unusual dish and not my favourite but was pleasant enough. The Pisco poached red mullet was packed full of flavour and I found myself constantly moaning “Mmm!” for the whole minute it took me to finish it. So far, the dishes were pretty quick to eat and with the waiting time getting longer I couldn’t help but feel very hungry in-between courses.
Up next, the 24 hour confit suckling pig (the only meat dish on the menu) was cooked to perfection. The meat fell apart easily and each mouthful was like a box of fireworks going off in my mouth. It was a definite second favourite and I was thankful they offered a bigger portion of this dish.
Now I am not a dessert person at all. Although I am partial to a pack of Lidl’s chocolate pretzels time to time. But Chakana reminds me to treat myself and explore variety. A chocolate bomb is not exactly adventurous as M&S seem to be flogging them every Christmas, but Chakana’s 75% Amazonian Domm with blue potato jam was a clever and dramatic way to end a tasting menu and the Petit Fours were the cherry on top of a delightful evening.
Service was great at the start, within 10 minutes we were served a cocktail and our first course however as the evening progressed the waiting times got longer but is understandable as the restaurant was packed and I could only see three staff members serving. Can dishes get Michelin stars? Because Chakana’s Ceviche should definitely have one. One thing that may not be everyone’s cup of tea was 80% of the dishes were swimming in sauce. Now for me, I didn’t mind it as long as it’s full of flavour I don’t really care, but some people may end up desperate for something crunchy and crispy.
Exciting, vibrant and plentiful, Chakana is compelling throughout and is worthy of all the praise it gets.
Introducing the latest addition to the home of foodie delights such as Laghi’s Deli and The Highfield, Chapter is an independent kitchen and bar brought to you by local restaurateurs Ann Tonks, Irene Allan and Ben Ternent (the team behind the brilliant OPUS which sadly closed during the pandemic). Their new venture prides itself on its seasonality and fresh, homegrown ingredients. Chapter serve breakfast and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday, as well as Sunday lunch.
Upon arriving we received a warm welcome from staff – so far so good. What surprised me was how big the venue is, plenty of seating on offer with a nice spacious bar area for drinks or a morning coffee. We arrived around 5pm on a Friday and it wasn’t busy, however, towards the end of our visit it started to fill up.
The drinks menu is impressive with two pages of cocktails from the classic to the quirky. I fancied a gin cocktail but a fruity gin cocktail (I was mad on strawberries that day), so the waitress suggested an adapted Tom Collins. It was refreshing and perfect – just what I needed. James had the Old Fashioned and said it was stunning. Staff are attentive throughout, they are happy to explain dishes and always make sure your drink is topped up.
I started with scallops – I was flapping around for a while about the price (£15) and whether it would be worth it. I’m used to paying around £10-£15 for scallops but am always miffed when two farty-sized morsels arrive in a bland sauce. However, Chapters scallops are worth every penny. Chunky and seasoned perfectly with apple, hazelnut and herbs, biting into one of these the flavour just oozes out.
For my main I ordered the lamb and wow, the showstopper of the evening and by far one of the best lamb dishes I have had in a long time. Herb crusted and seasoned with spicy squash, quinoa, cranberry and pecans – no one should leave Chapter without ordering this dish, it truly is exquisite. I nearly clawed James to death because he wouldn’t stop picking at it. The lamb was so tender, if sliced beautifully and I would really recommend pairing it with the honey roast carrots and beetroot. I feel the lamb was a pretty sizeable portion for £25. James had the fillet steak (rare) and again, cooked beautifully and so succulent. Two winning courses each but unfortunately we couldn’t make it three as we were stuffed.
We ended on coffees and Jesus, even the coffee is perfect here. Overall, it was a beautiful evening filled with beautiful food. Chapter is certainly creating a buzz in Edgbaston and I can see why. A flawless dining experience throughout and a prime example of why supporting Birmingham’s independents is so important. Tonks & Co’s last Chapter sadly ended but we should all be thankful this one has started.
I don’t venture out to Harborne that often, probably because I was living in Sutton Coldfield until a few months ago and one disastrous bus ride into Birmingham was enough to put me off. Since I moved to the city centre I promised myself I would make the effort with Birmingham’s trendy neighbourhoods and so, here we are.
Hengata opened in December with high hopes of a COVID free Christmas but was sadly met with the recent uplift in cases. I came across this Harborne newcomer in January but there hadn’t been much noise about its arrival at all. I managed to book in for breakfast to try this mystic venue out. You will find Hengata on Harborne high street, sandwiched between Holy Moly and Boston Tea Party. The venue is beautifully decorated, simplicity at its finest. There are plenty of tables on offer that are accessorised with candles, classic cutlery and cushy cushions. The open kitchen is a nice touch, watching the chefs cook food whilst you sip on a glass of red is quite pleasing, you can see the effort and the attentiveness of putting a dish together.
I was greeted by Liv who I believe is the Manager, very easygoing and was full of knowledge and suggestions. I was doing Veganuary and Liv informed me that many of the brunch dishes can be made vegan. I decided to go for The Millennial (£8.75) – avocado, served with tomato and onion relish, poached eggs (removed), house lime pickle and hot buttered sourdough.Service was sharp, I waited around 10 minutes for my food. I arrived at 10.30am and it started to fill up quite quickly by 11. When my food arrived, I noticed instantly that the food was beautifully presented, so much colour and it looked incredibly fresh. The sourdough was perfect, I feel that many places make sourdough incredibly hard, like biting into a brick! On this occasion, I didn’t have to worry. The sourdough was soft with a tiny bit of crunch that blended wonderfully with the avocado, relish and pickle. At first, I thought it wouldn’t fill me up but by the last mouthful, I was satisfied. I paired my brunch with a non-alcoholic beverage – Hengata’s Garden which was so refreshing and the ideal brunch beverage choice!
Overall, I was impressed. The price seemed very reasonable for the quality of food you are receiving. I found the menu so intriguing and I wanted to explore more options to give an overall review and so, I vowed to return to try out dinner. A week later and I found myself returning on a Saturday evening at 8.30pm with James, hoping to top the first experience.
DINNER AT HENGATA Same as the first visit, we received a friendly welcome. A warm atmosphere flowed throughout with mood lighting from the lit candles on every table, it was extremely cosy and was quite an intimate setting. We both decided to have a night off vegan. I know! We are naughty BUT we have both been doing so well and we just wanted a little break from it for just a couple of hours.
To start, I ordered A Winter Spritiz – Sauvignon Blanc, Elderflower, Cucumber and soda. Rejuvenating yet risky – as it tastes like good pop that you could have about 10 glasses of! When flicking through the menu, it was so lovely to see Hengata support other Independent breweries and wineries within The Midlands such as Attic Brew Co and Wine Freedom, Birmingham does this best!
For starters, I ordered the bone marrow and James ordered the home-smoked mackerel pate. I have never tried bone marrow so it took me a bit of time to work out how to get the filling out of the bone, but with one crack on the plate, I was able to get to the good stuff. It was quite rich, and I found it quite buttery which I enjoyed. Spooned together with a compote of red onion and cranberries, it was very appetizing. The cranberries gave the dish a hint of sweetness which was much needed. The mackerel pate was refreshing and light, James found the portion a bit small BUT when the next course arrived, he was glad it was.
For mains, I ordered megrim sole with deep-fried sage, and caper butter. James ordered the black bream fillet with 2 x side of fries and side of leeks, peas and pancetta. The sole was stunning. Fried beautifully and married perfectly with the leeks, peas and pancetta. The caper butter melts perfectly and creates a delightful combination of flavours. The chips were crisp and fluffy inside, as proper chips should be. James was impressed with his black bream and I managed to sneak a bite and understood his unwillingness to share. Yes, portions are not incredibly big but I felt they were just right.
We ordered a couple of cocktails in between courses, the Harborne Sling – Burning Barn rum, cherry, lime, cranberry and strawberry – Liv’s very own creation and a worthy choice for anyone with a sweet tooth! We decided not to finish on desserts as we were both stuffed, but we were persuaded by Liv to order two Espresso Martinis and thank god she did because they were possibly the best Espresso Martinis we have ever had.With two staff members off, I believe that Hengata did well to accommodate us and the other tables of couples and groups in there. I believe one table complained to the manager about the wait however we also overheard them talking about trying to get a discount…Yes, people will try anything these days to get a discount even for a fifteen-minute wait for mains… James and I did not experience this. The staff were very attentive, and we never found ourselves questioning where our food was. Service was sharp as the first time.
All in all, Hengata is a lovely addition to Harborne, one that I am sure will become a much-loved brunch/dinner spot for locals. I would also like to point out that their coffee is fantastic, really good coffee so Hengata would make a great spot in the mornings if you are on your way to work to pick up coffee. Hengata has created a chilled space with Scandinavian-Chic vibes where people can relax with a glass of wine, meet up with friends or take a working lunch. It’s already become one of my favourite brunch spots and has proven to be also a great place in the afternoon with its charismatic interior, seasonal menus, and charming customer service. Definitely, one to keep an eye on in 2022 and as good an excuse to visit Harborne as any.
And here we go again…It’s that time of year that your bab has to remind you to spend a few bob to quiet down your partner’s gob! Its Valentines! Love is in the air, hearts are bloody everywhere (even on the Tampax tampons this year) and we are all looking to get out of the house and avoid the couch whether it’s a romantic candle-lit intimate dinner with that special someone or attending a bingo rave with your friends! Valentines should be for everyone and here is how you can spend it in Birmingham.
INDULGE IN A10-12 LUXURIOUS COURSE MENU FROM 670 GRAMS
Enjoy a 10-12 luxurious Course menu from 670 Grams in Digbeth. £120 (PP) you will enjoy 10-12 unforgettable courses by top Chef Kray Treadwell in the heart of The Custard Factory. This is a little bit different from your usual steak and blowjob V day – Expect the unexpected, Expect the unusual and expect…Well, expect a good bloody time and a full belly! This event is not to be missed!
If you and your partner like a bit of comedy then The Glee Club is certainly a great choice this Valentine’s. We have the famous LADY BUNNY (One for Ru Paul Drag Race fans out there) unmasked and unfiltered from £17.50 (PP) OR Thursday night Comedy which I voted the best Comedy Night in the Midlands! A fast-paced & spontaneous show, featuring top stand-up comedians and a big screen to bring you the best bits from the weird world of the web!
Book an unforgettable foodie experience at Hampton Manor (From £450 PP) – These are very popular so of course, Valentine’s day is booked up BUT dates are available before and after Valentine’s day for two-day stays. Indulge in a Michelin star dinner, enjoy a wood-fired feast in the Walled Garden and cosy up together and learn some inside secrets by taking part in a wine-tasting workshop. This is one to truly impress your significant other…James, I hope you are reading this.
Valentine’s day at home with Tutto Apposto – If you don’t fancy the overpriced steaks and the smoochy couples then what about a romantic meal at home? Step away from the Marks and Sparks meal deal, you deserve better and the Tutto Apposto dine at home Valentines meal is just what you deserve! The menu is quite delightful from Chocolate dipped strawberries that you can feed your partner or yourself to a Chateaubriand for two that can be shared by you and YOU! Price at £85 for 2, Its a steal!
ENQUIRE HERE
VALENTINES DAY AT THE MOVIES WITH LEO
How about a movie? Everyone love’s movies on Valentine’s day right? especially a Leonardo DiCaprio movie! So how about a Valentine’s Screening of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet at Millennium Point on 12th February? Tickets for Leonardo DiCaprio are £20 and that includes a comfy seat, a big screen with Leonardo DiCaprio’s face on and a complimentary bottle of chilled prosecco! Did I mention that Leonardo DiCaprio is in this?
You know Valentine’s isn’t just about celebrating it with your partners, it’s about celebrating it with friends too! So why don’t you get the babs out and attend Luna Springs GALENTINES BRUNCH?! Down some bottomless spritz and prepared to be lubed up, I beg your pardon?! I BEG NOT YOUR PARDON! We got some hunky shiny strippers in the house and a filthy drag queen host! Yes, there are zero tucks when it comes to this brunch. Tickets are available now priced from £29.00.
DINNER AND DRINKS AT THE SASSIEST CLUB IN BIRMINGHAM
The Pineapple Club have a new menu to celebrate this V day, you’ll be surrounded by botanical vibes and EXTRA cocktails plus indulging in some pretty delicious food. You can choose 2 small plates and 1 side OR 1 small plate and 2 sides. You will also get to choose 1 signature cocktail, house wine or draught beer, all for £25 pp! Come to the club babs, bring your partner, friends and the what the hell, bring the whole FAM!
Celebrate Valentine’s day with the whole gang by participating in a bingo rave! It’s bingo like you’ve never experienced before, it’s fast-paced with a lot of weirdness and shit prizes but you won’t care because you’ll be too busy laughing your head off at all the dodgy dance-offers, terrible twerking, and seriously painful jokes. Taking place at The Mill and tickets are priced at £11.25.
Attend Valentine’s day ball! Relive your inner Cinderella fantasy babs as The Nightingale are putting on a ball for singles to mingle! There are DJ’s, Drag and a massive dance floor for you to meet someone new or bring your loved ones and dance the night away! Tickets are priced at £8.17.
1920’S AFTERNOON TEA OR ROMANTIC BOUTIQUE STAY AT THE EDGBASTON BOUTIQUE
Afternoon tea and romantic stay packages will be available at The Edgbaston Hotel this Valentine, You will have the option to treat your loved ones to some chocolates, macaroons or Valentines celebration plates. All £10 to add to the booking. Within the hotel rooms, You will have the option to add on a Romance package this will be fizz, rose petals and chocolates or macaroons. £75 for champagne or £49 for prosecco. Afternoon tea is also available for couples, friends and families to get together to celebrate.
THE ULTIMATE LOVERS EXPERIENCE STAYING COOL AT THE ROTUNDA
The Ultimate lovers experience at Staying cool at The Rotunda in Birmingham. A room with a view (some incredible views let me add of Brum) this package offers you stylish accommodation where you can watch the twinkling lights of Brum at night from your rose-petaled bed with a chilled bottle of Lauren-Perrier Rose and a box of Charbonnel et Walker sea salt caramel truffles, Sounds romantic right? But wait, there’s more! You will wake up to fresh bagels and have a lovely bunch of seasonal flowers to give your loved one. This is an add on package when you book a room with The Rotunda priced at £95.
Matthew Bournes Nutcracker will be showing over the Valentines weekend at The Hippodrome, tickets are priced from £22.50. I know what you are thinking, The Nutcracker? In January? EH? But this one is a lot of fun and it’s for all seasons bab! Indulge in The sweetest of all treats this Valentine with your loved ones.
WINE TASTING, DELICIOUS SMALL PLATES AND LIVE MUSIC IN A TROPICAL GLASS HOUSE AT BOTANICAL GARDENS
Fancy an Intimate wine tasting in Botanical Gardens Tropical glass house? Botanical Gardens is collaborating with Wine Freedom and Ox & Origin to bring you a premium wine tasting evening where you will sample a few of Wine Freedoms specialist wines, indulge in premium small plates created by Top Chefs from Ox & Origin and enjoy an evening of live acoustic music. Taking place on 14th February at 6.30 pm – Tickets are £59 and will be released on Monday 24th January 2022
Encounter a unique tasting experience – Dining in the dark. You will be blindfolded and will be tasting a secret menu in pitch-black darkness. There are two dates – 31st January at The Botanist Birmingham and 1st February at The Canal House. Surprise your senses and test out your taste buds, try something completely different this Valentine’s!
Celebrate Valentine’s or maybe you just don’t care and want to enjoy a night out single or taken with your friends! Bierkeller is putting on the ultimate ANTI-VALENTINES party this year that involves a free cocktail and a free bench to stand up and twerk on plus the best free house, garage and Rnb sound from Joshy Rays. Tickets are £5.
The Ivy Temple Row has joined forces with Letters of Note to give diners a gift to treasure forever this Valentine’s Day. Love is an exclusive book compiled by Shaun Usher, featuring a collection of the most passionate love letters written in history, reimagined by The Ivy Collection with a bespoke cover and foreword. The book will be offered to all guests who book a table in the restaurant on Monday, 14 February.Inspired by love, a limited-edition cocktail menu designed to make even the cold-hearted blush will also be available for guests from Friday, 11 to Monday, 14 February, alongside Pillow Talk (£17.95), an indulgent sharing dessert featuring peach and raspberry parfait, white chocolate mousse, popping candy and a raspberry sauce.
You know me bab, I love a Hidden Gem especially one that is quite valuable. The only problem is when you stumble across one, you just want to keep it to yourself! Procaffeinate in Leamington Spa is that hidden gem.
I discovered them early this year wandering around the charity shops, it was pissing it down and I went in for shelter. I ordered a hot chocolate and it was almost like a scene out Willy Wonka, that first sip and it was like I found the mother of all hot chocolates. That’s when my obsession for Procaffeinate started and when they asked me to pop in on the weekend to try out the new brunch specials, I just couldn’t resist.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located on Clemens Street just a little bit further out from the main high street and I am kind of glad about it because this place would be packed out all the time. Located next to the canal, this darling cafe is one to tick off on your foodie list. Procaffeinate serves up good coffee, freshly baked cakes and hearty breakfast/brunch options from overnight oats to full English. It’s a reasonably sized cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome. They have a monthly specials menu that they change regularly, The new brunch specials include brunch muffins and Belgian waffles – from sweet to savoury. The menu offers options for veggie/vegans with plenty to choose from!
First things first, coffee. I went for a flat white with a shot of Pumpkin spice – You just can’t beat it. I always enjoy the coffee here and I was sitting in a cosy little corner inside the cafe. The staff are great here, always check up on you to see if everything is okay and always full of smiles. They are very easy to talk to and are great fun.
When it came down to ordering food, I was stuck between Chilli Avocado egg muffins and the savoury sweetheart Belgian waffle. I was advised by one of the lovely workers there that the Chilli Avocado egg option might be for the best as I am more of a savoury kind of person. Within ten minutes a very large plate of smashed avocado, chilli flakes, scrambled eggs, sundried tomatoes on two toasted muffins with a side of salad with balsamic dressing arrived. The portion is very generous, I found the dish very filling, packed with a punch of mouthwatering flavours. The chilli produced a tiny kick – easy to handle and everything tasted so fresh, very appetising and just what I needed on a Sunday morning. The eggs were cooked to perfection and I have to admit this is the best-scrambled eggs on muffins I have ever had – and I have this dish a lot! Costing under £10, it’s a great value dish that hits the right spot.
After dining I decided to have a little mooch around – They have a gorgeous outdoor terrace that overlooks the canal. What caught my eye whilst I was dining was that many people seemed to be disappearing through a Smeg fridge, So I did a bit of investigating. I realised the Smeg fridge lead to a secret downstairs dining room, equipped with plenty of seating, botanical bar and provides a great space for private parties and events, now this is my kind of Narnia.
Of course, I couldn’t leave without their famous hot chocolate and OH MY FLUMP, you are in for a treat! I went for the After Eight hot chocolate…Oh yes, it’s real alright and it’s every Instagrammer’s dream! This baby is as long as my right leg and tastes sensational. It’s cream for days and I am not going to lie its tricky to get stuck into at first especially if your a full-time lipstick addict like me but you know what the best thing to do is to just jump right in there, Get messy baby!
You are equipped with a spoon so if you don’t want to get messy you don’t have to…YAWN! The cream is freshly topped with an After Eight and a toasted marshmallow. Every time I try the hot chocolate at Procaffeinate I become more and more confident that they indeed do the best hot chocolate in The Midlands. It can’t be beaten.
Overall another fantastic visit to Procaffeinate, it’s quickly become one of my favourite independents in Leamington Spa and I am sure you can see why. They have a lot to offer here, from the Instagrammable hot chocolates to the great customer service, Procaffeinate is one Independent that you need to tick off before 2022.
Check out Procaffeinates website here and their Instagram here
Many people (outside of Sutton) would scoff at this guide as many are under the influence that Sutton Coldfield has nothing to offer. I would agree there does seem to be more boarded-up businesses than open businesses in the Centre. We can all agree that the City centre is in desperate need to be restored, However, with revamp plans floating around, we may just be getting that. The foodie scene in Sutton Coldfield is a bit of a scavengers hunt, believe it or not, there are fantastic foodie gems scattered in and all-around Sutton Coldfield. For the past two years, we have seen some new and exciting businesses popping up and bringing a bit of excitement to Sutton Coldfield. So, I have put this foodie guide together to show off some of the great Independents we have in the North and trust me, over the next couple of months this guide will get even bigger! Watch this space.
BRUNCH, BAKERIES AND COFFEE SPOTS
Windowbox Cafe:Located on Birmingham road in Wylde Green, Windowbox is one of my favourite brunch spots in the North of Birmingham. Offering a variety of brunch options from American pancakes to breakfast flatbreads, this is one brunch hotspot that you must visit when you come to Sutton Coldfield.
Silver Tree Bakery: A little bit of Lapland in Sutton Coldfield because, why the hell not? Its a lovely little bakery in Water Orton that offers fantastic cakes and hot food such as toasties. The staff are fantastic and it’s a lovely little gem over in Sutton Coldfield.
Jubilee Garden: Located on Birmingham rd just before Sutton Town Centre you will find new Cafe/wine bar Jubilee Gardens that serves up a lovely brunch with a Hong Kong twist! They serve speciality coffee with a great offering of cakes and savoury delights! Did I also mention they do orange wine? Oh yes! They have a fab variety of wine that is specially picked for the cafe! Its a must-visit whenever you come to Sutton so make sure its on your list!
Bakehouse by Baked in Brick: A friendly neighbourhood Café serving up freshly baked bread, patisserie and Brunch daily on Holland rd. In the evenings (Thurs to Sat) they serve up some gorgeous street food plus they do a fabulous Espresso martini!
Deli Social: Located on Boldmere high street, The Deli Social offer a great selection of brunch dishes and hot drinks. The full english breakfast is a cracker and they also do street food Fridays and is open till 11pm on the weekend.
90 Boldmere: A new brunch/bar on Boldmere High Street serving up great brunch dishes such as french toast and American pancakes plus offer a great bar menu.
Blackroot Bistro: Set within the stunning Sutton Park, spanning 2,400 acresand attracting two million visitors a year, the family owned Blackroot Bistro is perched above Blackroot Pool on the edge of a natural meadow. They seek to provide an informal, relaxed and welcoming vibe, offering food and drink from local suppliers wherever possible.
Bean Green Kitchen: Boasting one of the best brunch menu in the north of Birmingham for a champion breakfast its got to be Bean Green Kitchen in Mere Green. They serve classic cafe faves with healthy twists and tasty alternatives.
Caffe Botanico: A lovely coffee shop inside House of Fraser in Sutton Coldfields Gracechurch Centre, its a popular lunchtime spot for many. I love the coffee here and they also do some fantastic salad dishes aswell as brunch options. The cakes are great too so make sure you dont miss out on them!
Onthebreadline: One of the most popular bakeries in Sutton Coldfield and one where you got to be quick as they sell out fast! The cakes are seriously delicious, people que for them from the morning till closing so you best be quick!
Under Pressure Espresso: Fantastic coffee shop in which you could say its the best coffee shop in Sutton Coldfield. Offer bench seating, cakes and coffee beans to buy
The Pear Tree Creperie: The Creperie, located just outside of Lichfield, has been the flagship restaurant of the Heart of the Country Village for over 30 years. They offer a wonderful brunch and specialise in savoury galettes, sweet crepes and delicious authentic French dishes.
Strawberry Fields Farm and Coffee: Families will adore this place, a Woodland paradise where you can enjoy delicious brunch and coffee.
AFTERNOON TEA
New Hall Hotel: New Hall Hotel is the perfect backdrop to experience a tradition made famous by the royal household at New Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. Classic afternoon tea starts at £22.50 and includes a selection of finger sandwiches, chef’s daily selection of cakes and mixed scones served with jam and clotted cream. They also offer a savoury afternoon tea and cater for children too.
The Belfry: Enjoy a British Afternoon Tea with a range of finger sandwiches and home-made scones accompanied by tea breads, delicate pastries and a selection of herbal teas or coffee, all served in the finest Bone China. Available daily from 12pm-4pm.
The Fig & Olive: Served Monday – Saturday between 2pm and 4pm, their signature afternoon teas are baked fresh by our talented in house bakers and are simply perfect for any occasion. They also offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea. The Fig & Olive is a great spot for all day dining serving up a delicious lunch and dinner menu – its a must when you come to Sutton Coldfield.
PESTO: Enjoy an assortment of sandwiches, Italian desserts and fruit scones with jam & clotted cream for only £14.95 per person. Served daily from 2pm to 5pm. Great afternoon if you love a bit of Italian!
Strawberry Fields Farm and Coffee: Families will adore this place, a Woodland paradise where you can enjoy brunch and AFTERNOON TEA. They offer three afternoon teas (Standard, luxury and childrens) and they also offer GF afternoon tea. Prices are from £16.95. Strawberry Fields is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, please contact regarding afternoon teas via website
DINNER/PUBS/ROASTS
Pizza by Goli: My favourite restaurant in Sutton Coldfield serving up fantastic Italian cuisine and exceptional service HOWEVER be warned, this restaurant can get extremely busy so please book beforehand. Fantastic restaurant for date nights and group bookings, I have been going here for years and always have a great meal without fail. The Lamb cutlets in red wine sauce is one of my favourites and the garlic bread is always a winner.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Eleon: A great Greek restaurant and meze bar that is very popular in Sutton Coldfield and I can see why because the food is beautiful and service is exceptional. You are always guaranteed an exceptional dining experience here in Eleon. The Meze feast is must, experience the greek way of social dining by tucking into 21 dishes from Pork Souvlaki to Baklava all for just £27.50 pp.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
SUSHIDO: A true gem in Sutton Coldfield offering excellent Japanese food that is available for you to dine in or take out. Sushi lovers will adore it here offering a great variety of sushi dishes that caters for vegetarians and vegans, they also offer hot mains such a as red thai curry and bao buns.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
The Bracebridge: A charming restaurant that can be found within Sutton Park that offers a fantastic dining experience with a pretty impressive view of the lakes in Sutton Park. This is a great option for that special occassion, a little bit on the pricey side however they do offer a fixed menu of two courses for £19.95 or three courses for £25.95 on Wednesday and Thursdays.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Giggling Squid: Giggling Squid is one of the latest additions to the area, a restaurant that specialises in Thai Cuisine with restaurants in Harborne, Leamington Spa and so on. This restaurant has quickly become one of my favourites in the North of Birmingham. The lamb shank dish is a must, and the cocktails are pretty fab here too! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Veerus: Veerus serve up delicious authenthic Indian Cuisine with a great atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable here for the quality of food you get, and its a great place to chill out with a beer and tuck into some quality food. If you go to Veerus you must order the large mix grill, its pretty incredible! Vegetarian, options available
Cock N Bull: Juicy monster Buns and Camden Hells on draught, thats what I am talking about! Really chilled out place and is perfect for catching up with friends, pre drinks or date night. If you love filthy burgers and kick ass fried chicke, you’ll like this place. Vegetarian and vegan options available
Romantica: A great Italian restaurant located in Mere Green, The food is pure quality using the freshiest ingredients and the service is second to none. A great choice for date night or to celebrate a special occasion. The Antipasto sharing board is a must and pair that up with Romanticas Carre di Agnello (rack of lamb) you got yourself a pretty fine meal. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Panache: One of my favourite Indian restaurants in Sutton Coldfied, Panache is top quality serving up amazing authentic indian cuisine that is full of flavour and will leave you wanting more! I always have a great experience here and thats why its one of my favourites, the staff are professional, the food is fantastic and overall its a great dining experience. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Chelo Persian Kitchen and bar: Persian food at its best, I had a few takeaways from here in lockdown and was pleased with everyone of them, next up I wil be dining in the restaurant very soon! The food is gorgeous, full of flavour and cooked to perfection. Vegetarian options available
The Butlers Arms: Lovely pub in Mere Green that provides a great atmosphere, from lunchtime to Dinnertime they have you covered with some great dishes on offer from the Indian Spiced Chicken to Belly Pork that will surely satisfy those pesky taste buds. They have some cracking ales on offer here and its a nice place to sit outside with friends with a pint and enjoy the weather. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
The Four Oaks: Recently refubished The Four Oaks is a beautiful pub just on Belwell Lane where they offer brunch, dinner, small plates, Sunday roasts and a beer garden that is perfect for the Summer!. Beautifully decorated without with plenty of seating, many will enjoy it here and I especially love going here for wine with friends!
Your Flamingo: New Pizzeria on the Boldmere Rd serve up traditional stone baked Neapolitan pizzas that are delcious! Plus they offer a great cocktail menu where you can grab 2 cocktails for £14. Open Tuesday – Friday 3pm-10pm and Saturday 11.30am-10pm (kitchen closes at 9pm)
Tikka Nation: On the Birmingham rd going into Sutton Coldfield you will find Tikka Nation, specialising in Indian “Street food” serving up gorgeous curries, wraps and tasty sides.
The Farmhouse Bistro: A lovely Bistro just on Weeford Road serves up a fantastic all-day menu full of traditional favourites to contemporary classics. The Roast dinner is a must here and they also serve afternoon tea.
Narmaste : Serving up traditional Indian and Ghurka cuisine in Wylde Green. Located just above The Lane’s shopping centre, Namaste offers the very best in Indian cuisine with high reviews, its one to book
BARS/BREWERIES AND STREET FOOD
XO LOUNGE: XO Lounge is the place to be where you can sample a variety of fine wines by the glass any time of day (18 to be exact), a unique location with a high quality and extensive spirit and cocktail selection. XO also offers high quality independent coffee, good quality beer with some food and nibbles to match. They also host monthly street food pop ups.
Simpsons gin bar: Located in the heart of The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Simpsons Bar looks to provide you with an extensive menu of high quality spirits, beers and cocktails. Big fan of the gin here and they also serve hot drinks, you can have your drinks outside on the new lovely outdoor terrace area.
Quinto Lounge: I do like the food from Quinto (especially the brunch) but I feel that the cocktails are on another level. Quinto provide variety, and a great spot for pre-drinks or a night out with your mates. Prices are very reasonable and if you get peckish you can always order a couple of tapas dishes with your cocktails! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available
BAR 28: On the Birmingham rd as you come into Sutton, you will find new bar “Bar 27” taking over the old Mutiny Loft venue. Here you can enjoy a great range of cocktails, food, live sports and a game of darts.
The Townhouse: Sleek and stylish through out, The Townhouse is a lovely boutique bar/hotel serving up good homemade food, fabulous cocktails, live music and more. A Hotspot in Sutton, weekends at The Townhouse are pretty lit!
The Station pub: Iconic pub in Sutton Coldfield, I have been going here for years! It seems to be everyones favourite pub in Sutton Coldfield with a great variety of booze on offer, live music and DJ Sets. Its one to visit!
Leviathan Brewing: A hidden gem in Sutton Coldfield located on Reddicap Trading Estate offering a great variety of beer (and plenty of alcoholic options) and host monthly foodie pop ups which have seen What the Cluck, Patty Dabblers and more popping up at the brewery. A fantastic taproom offering a great atmosphere here, it’s absolutely worth the visit.
Cask and Craft: An Independent craft beer bar & bottleshop. Focusing on small independent brewers, small batch Gins/Rums and Ciders and hosting street food pop ups every month. A great place to chill with friends with a pint and tuck into some fantastic street food such as Cleopatra Kitchen, Sticky Beaks and more.
Pitalicious: Mid East Lebanese street food here in Sutton Coldfield, Pitalicious is definetly worth checking out. The lamb shawarma pitta is incredible and I am pretty sure the chips from Pitalicious are the best chips I have ever tasted. Great for quick bite or you can dine within the restaurant. Vegetarian and vegan options available.
The Ale Hub: Located in Mere Green, this is a great micro pub that specialises in cask ales, craft beers and a variety of gins. Lovely little spot, they usually put on themed nights and host quiz/bino events.
Burger Boi: Located in Wylde Green on the Birmingham rd, You will find Burger Boi who serve up smashed patties and tasty buttermilk fried chicken.
Quite frankly organising Christmas parties can be a merry little pain in the ass from finding numbers to losing the numbers last minute as there is always a last-minute scrooge that dips out of the Christmas party. From having 50 bloody tabs open to searching deep into the Google lagoon of “Christmas parties in Birmingham” ending up on page 25 with Weatherspoons being a possible contender – Don’t let it be a contender. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have what’s going on in Birmingham at Christmas all in one place? Well, just call me Bab Claus because I have created a little guide for you to book your Christmas shenanigans from pulling crackers over a three-course meal to wearing your best frock and hanging out of a dodgem with a bottle of Moet. This is your guide to getting festive AF bab.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL PHOTOS ARE NOT MINE – Photos have been credited to whom they belong to.
CHRISTMAS PARTIES
Rio Carnival 2021 THE NECThe Edgbaston Stadium
THE NEC – ASPEN ROCKS 2022 – Entertainment, Four course meal, DJ and dancefloor- Minimum booking requirement of 8 guests- Tickets available now purchase here
EDGBASTON STADIUM – Hollywood Glitz & Glamour – Live entertainment, three course meal, late bar until 1am – Group bookings are welcome – Tickets available now purchasehere
LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM – Peaky vs Gatsby -DJ & Disco, Three course meal – Group bookings are welcome – Tickets available now purchase here
ASTON VILLA PARK – Variety of themed Christmas party nights – three course meal – After dinner DJ & Disco – Tickets available now purchase here
ALOFT HOTEL/EASTSIDE ROOMS – The Greatest Christmas – Three course meal – Greatest show performance throughout dinner – Live band – Disco and DJ – Enquire now
THE GRAND HOTEL – Three course luxury lunch or Dinner – £45 or £65 depends on what menu you choose -Private dining for groups of six – Includes Christmas crackers and a glass of champagne – Book now
HOTEL DU VIN – Add a special touch to your event and dine in one of Hotel Du Vins unique private dining rooms and enjoy a delicious three course meal from £34.95 – Book now
LOVE LIFE – DIGBETH -Available from 28th November to Christmas Eve, Indulge in their authentic Mediterranean-inspired festive menu with seasonal cocktails. Lovelife invite guests to enjoy & explore their Festive Menu with 2-courses for £30 or 3-courses for £35 per person. Book your Christmas meal at Lovelife here
HAMPTON MANOR – Offering five different dining experiences this christmas -From festive lunches to private dining experiences for 10-16 guests with your very own chef and Host – Enquire about your experience now at Hampton Manor
SMOKE – Christmas Eve lunch at Smoke – Join Stu Deeley and the team at Smoke for lunch on Christmas Eve. Enjoy four-courses, including a la carte options like a proper beef wellington served up with madeira jus, and plenty of Stus legendary boulangère potatoes from £180.00 – Book your Christmas Eve lunch here
CHAKANA – Embark on a culinary journey with a set menu at Chakana in Moseley! Discover the exquisite SEA BREAM CEVICHE, a burst of fresh flavors that will awaken your palate, followed by a mouthwatering roast turkey adorned with all the festive trimmings. Chakana’s carefully curated set menu ensures a delightful dining experience that captures the essence of Peruvian cuisine at Christmas. Book your Christmas meal at Chakana.
KOI KI HARBORNE – A range of “Wave” menus available staring from £34.95 for set menus and can range up to £64.95 – perfect for large groups – Book your Christmas meal at Koi Ki
NOELS – Festive 3 course dinner for £34.95 and Festive lunch is also available – Private dining options are available – Book your Christmas meal at Noels
REVOLUCION DE CUBA – Festive Brunch from £30 pp or 2/3 course Christmas meal from £24.95 – Suitable for groups – book your christmas meal now
DIRTY MARTINI – Serving up a variety of Christmas festivities from Christmas brunches from £35 to Christmas platters priced at £25 pp for your party – Book your festive package with Dirty Martini
LASAN – Festive three Course £45.95 per person or Four Course £49.95 per person -Glass of bubbly on arrival for extra £5.50 – Book your Christmas meal at Lasan
THE ROLLING MILL – 2 courses for £26.96 and 3 courses £35.00 – To book email Info@therollingmill.co.uk andvisit their website here
THE CANAL HOUSE – Christmas party dining – 2 courses for £27.95 or 3 courses for £34.95 – menu available from 21st November to 24th December for groups of 6 or more – Private dining space is available – Book your Christmas meal now with The Canal House
BROWNS – 3 course festive menu from £29 for your whole party to enjoy – Available from 17th November – 31st December 2021- Book your Christmas meal at Browns
BODEGA – Seat and feed up to 60 people in their private bar, ‘The Sugarloaf’ offering all guests a tasty three-course meal full of the delights of south American cuisine – Can provide a Cocktail Masterclass offering guests the chance to learn, sample, and enjoy the art of cocktail making with some of the best bartenders in Birmingham – Christmas buffet is also available – Enquire about your Christmas party with Bodega
MEAL & REEL AT THE MAC BIRMINGHAM: ELF. -More family friendly Reel & Meal delights, but this time with a festive twist, courtesy of Christmas classic Elf. Ticket start from £16.00 and event is on Saturday 23rd December. Book your tickets here
ROXY BALLROOM – Festive feast plus two free drinks for £28 pp – £5 extra for a bellini reception – Great for groups – add on bowling or beer pong – Book your festive package with Roxy Ballroom
THE BOX – BRINDLEYPLACE – There’s no better place to spend the holiday season in Birmingham than at BOX, your favourite place to WATCH, PLAY and PARTY. They are the ultimate festive destination whether getting together with your mates over a game of shuffleboard or for a big Christmas night out in Birmingham.Festive Bottomless brunch is available priced at £37.95. – Book your experience with BOX now
THE GLEE CLUB – Birmingham Christmas Comedy Specials at The Glee Club offer you a superbatmosphere with four top stand-up comedians and an after party to keep celebrations going into the night – You can book tickets now
FIGHT CLUB – Darts and cocktails – Add some joy to your festive celebrations with a cocktail or two (or three) and a bit of friendly competition – Book your experience with Fight Club
As a resident of Sutton Coldfield, I am often frustrated with the lack of Independent’s and exciting restaurant chains – no, I am not talking about Nandos and please don’t ever mention Nandos to me because I will most likely roll my eyes and scream. Recently there has been a flutter of new openings in the Sutton area in which I am delighted about, but I am greedy – I want more. Giggling Squid is one of the latest additions to the area, a restaurant that specialises in Thai Cuisine with restaurants in Harborne, Leamington Spa and so on. As soon as the announcement was made and bookings were opened, most of Sutton flooded to try it out and I am one of many, that is delighted about this opening.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
I was invited to experience Giggling Squid and decided I needed a second opinion so I brought my lovely friend (and fellow blogger) Small House Big Trips. As we walked in together for our booking at 6.30 pm, we could see that it was very busy. The restaurant is decorated beautifully, very floral, bright and just generally very appealing to the eye. I had seen some bizarre comments about uneven photos on the walls ruining peoples experiences at Giggling Squid this didn’t bother me at all and quite frankly I’m not here to review the decor or give you a course in how to straighten a photo correctly.
We sat down for our meal under a beautifully decorated arch covered in flora. We noticed that it was very echoey and it was quite loud, but what did we expect? The whole of Sutton Coldfield was dining here tonight. We browsed through the drinks menu and I opted for the Silky Pink Cocktail which is a Lychee Martini with a mouth-watering mix of Fair Quinoa Vodka, Kwai Feh lychee Liqueur, Peach and Jasmine Green Tea. Very refreshing, and something different to the usual Strawberry Daiquiri that I have murdered to death in many restaurants. Kelly went for the Lychee Angel cocktail in which she really liked and found it very refreshing.
We both found the service quick. Our Waitress “Anjali” who is also a fellow food blogger (Anjeatsss) was full of knowledge and very helpful when it came down to ordering. She was able to explain each dish and pick dishes that best suited our taste buds! So to start, we ordered the Sharing Platter which came with hand-cut pork grilled skewers, salt and pepper squid, Thai chicken wings, vegetable spring rolls. A very generous portion for £16.50 offering a great variety of flavours and was a great introduction to Giggling Squid.
For mains we went a little crazy, we ordered; Giant Butterfly King Prawn Pad Thai, Lamb Shank Massamann, Sticky Chicken, Morning Glory greens, Roti, Sticky rice, and coconut rice. One mouthful after the other was a constant punch of flavour that was just irresistible. The lamb shank was my favourite, the meat was cooked perfectly, falling off the bone and into the rich base of coconut milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise. The sticky chicken was sticky, moist and sweet, exactly what it says on the tin with an almighty crunch of crisp, just the way I like it. Sticky and coconut rice both blending beautifully with the lamb shank, scooped up with the roti flatbread helping both to blend perfectly. I grabbed a bite of Kellys Pad Thai that was also perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
To finish we ordered Black Sesame ice cream, however as I am not a big fan of ice cream, it just wasn’t for me. I felt the flavour was very peculiar and unfortunately I am a basic bitch in the ice cream department that opts for just vanilla, so it’s a no from me.
I read some iffy reviews of Giggling Squid (mostly all of them coming from Harborne) which left me feeling a little confused. My experience of Giggling Squid was exceptional, the food was fantastic and so was the service. We loved it so much it has quickly become one of our favourite restaurants in Sutton Coldfield. Is it the best Thai restaurant I have been to? No, but the team have surely put a lot of work into this restaurant for it to work, and it does. I enjoyed it so much that I visited again 3 weeks later (Non-gifted) Yes that’s right ladies and gentlemen, I DO PAY. I had the exact same experience again but service was a little bit slower but it’s early days, new restaurants need time to find their feet and find a structure that works. The food was exactly the same, fresh and full of flavour – no complaints.
A great addition to Sutton Coldfield/Mere Green, one that you will most definitely need to book before as it’s super busy. As a new opening, I was expecting a few hiccups here and there but I didn’t experience any of this. Kelly and I couldn’t stop praising our experience at Giggling Squid. I feel Giggling Squid is a wonderful addition to our town, which I hope now will give the Sutton area a bit of a boost and attract more appealing chains and most importantly Independents.
UPDATE: Sadly, we have to give an update or more so, replace this “positive” review with a negative review as my last two trips to Giggling Squid in Mere Green have been not so good. I hate it when this happens, but my last two visits have not matched the above review. I dont know what’s happened, where its all gone wrong from dirty tables to uncooked food, surely this is not the same restarant? Sadly, I can no longer recommend this restaurant as it seems to have slipped and gone downhill since opening. Its a real shame.
Willies, Titties, strippies and Carole Baskin costumes? I have had my fair share of Hen dos in Birmingham. Some sophisticated and some that still give me nightmares to this day but planning a hen do was something that was completely new to me and even more of a nightmare! From people dropping out last minute to sending hundreds of desperate emails to venues. It’s a bloody nightmare and I wish there was a guide or something to help us poor Maid of Honours/Best men out. So I decided to put a guide together to make life a little bit easier for those who are organising a Hen/Stag do. Birmingham is great for these, perfect actually. We offer a variety of events/activities for groups to enjoy, from partying on boats to hanging from bars in the evening, having a Stag/Hen do in Birmingham is certainly the right choice and the place to be Babs! So let’s start with the top 50 hen party ideas in Birmingham and don’t worry stags, you are next!
PLEASE NOTE I DO NOT OWN ALL IMAGES – Please credit the businesses that I have tagged in this post
THE BIG BIRMINGHAM BAKE – DIGBETH
Ready, steady, BAKE! In Digbeth you will find the Big Birmingham Bake where you go against your friends/family and have 90 minutes to create your winning bake, it could be a complete masterpiece or an absolute mess! One thing is sure this is a great activity to do with all your friends and family! Prosecco provided and you can also buy a bridal apron and baking hat for the bride to be!
One of my favourite afternoon teas in Birmingham, this one is sure to make jaws drop! Step back in time and enjoy a sophisticated afternoon tea with friends and family. Choose from traditional to Laurent Perrier Rose afternoon tea from £29.50.
Get kitted out in your helmet, knee pads, gloves and safety glasses and follow the ranger deep into the jungle trails as they guide you on your quest to escape. The perfect adventure activity for families or any group celebration experience.To book or reserve your Jungle Escape adventure, just call 0121 323 1000 or head on over to their website here to book
JEWELLERY WORKSHOP AT THE WORKING CLASP
Get to make jewellery from a range of laser cut charms that have been lovingly designed and finished by Rebecca Cowley at her studio in The Old Printworks, Birmingham. The workshops suit all levels and include all materials.
Le Keux in Digbeth have a range of hen do activities for you to choose, from having a complete make over to burlesque dancing. If you are a fan of the 1950s you will love this!
If you love TJ cocktails or just cocktails in general, then come learn how to make some of your favourites with the Tonight Josephine team. They’ll give you a welcome cocktail, play games and teach you and your gang how to make two more cocktails. Various times are available and early bookings are highly recommended.
Smokey cocktails, cocktail wizards, fire and awesome food – Personally I feel this is one of the best bottomless brunches in Birmingham. Operating Friday, Saturday and Sunday – Book in now
Batter up Bab with some awesome games for you and the whole group to enjoy! There is also a great bar serving up plenty of delicious cocktails, street food and batting cages!
STREET FOOD, GERMAN BEER AND DRAG QUEENS AT ZUMHOF BIERGARTEN
Live music and entertainment – Think touring bands, queer cabaret, DJ’s, and drag, every weekend at the Yard! Lets not forget about their extensive beer list, the best in Birmingham street food traders and epic vibes. Great venue for groups and a definite must-visit.
Celebrate your hen do on a party boat and see the city in a whole new light. Get in touch with Central Boat Parties in Birmingham to discuss your requirements with their professional crew to create the perfect hen do!
Make your own beautiful handmade flower crown, perfect for any festival themed event, summer hen weekend, birthday party or baby shower. Everyone can select flowers to their preferred colour scheme and create crowns to their own taste. Or even matched with the season – use colourful bold silk flowers to create a statement Summer crown or more subtle foliage for a chic Spring flower crown.
ITALIAN FOOD AND COCKTAILS EXPERIENCE WITH ROSA COOKERY SCHOOL
Italian inspired cookery classes are designed to give you the skills and ideas to inspire and equip you to produce great food, with the minimum of fuss and the maximum of enjoyment – from everyday family meals to ideas for special meals to impress. Come along to one of the cookery days for an enjoyable hands on experience and leave with a host of recipes and tips. Start with coffee and homemade cake, relax and enjoy a demonstration that will include different skills and techniques, then get your pinny on and make a range of dishes yourself. Finally enjoy the fruits of your labours with a meal and a glass of wine together before heading home with some samples to remind you of your day.
Because who doesn’t love chocolate? The gourmet chocolate tasting experience involves, single origin chocolate, ganache, caramel and cacoa tasting sessions with tasting notes and a brief talk. You will learn about best ways to taste chocolate and what to look out for.
A crazy mix of traditional bingo, dance-offs, rave intervals, audience participation and countless magical moments, currently taking place in almost 50 locations around the world. Bongo’s Bingo is a wild shared social extravaganza and a night of pure nostalgic escapism, with the chance to win iconic prizes from giant pink unicorns and Henry Hoovers to mobility scooters and karaoke machines at each and every show.It’s immersive, inclusive and incredible. Everyone from 18 to 92 plays and parties together. There are no barriers and no limits.
Join Fight Club in Birmingham for their Brunch Social every Thursday to Sunday with Prosecco and bottomless pizza! If you fancy adding a competitive twist to your daytime gatherings, add 1 hour of Social Darts to your Brunch Social!
Bopottomless returns at the Old Crown with unlimited beer, cocktails or fizz for the first 90 mins of your booking and any BopKebabs main meal of your choice for £25 pp. Please check with The Crown to see when Bopottomless is back on!
NQ64 is an arcade bar located in the heart of the Custard Factory inviting gamers to relive their childhoods with classic 80s/90s arcade games and is a great place for groups to come together and get competitive!
It’s bowling like you’ve never seen it before for the very good people of Birmingham. Think walnut lanes, Beer Pong, retro arcades and shuffleboard, making it a great choice for hen parties!
Learn a Spice Girls routine with your very own dance instructor with a bottle of bubbly held in a private venue for you all to find your inner Spice Girl.
The Grand should be experienced by all, if you fancy a sophisticated evening why not book into the Madeline bar and have a couple of cocktails with friends.
One third of the Bierkeller Entertainment Complex, Bierkeller is a fantastic dining and entertainment venue in Birmingham. Long bench seating, Oompah bands, authentic Bavarian food, the finest selection of beer and much more!
The sassiest bar in Birmingham. Offering a variety of cocktails and spirits, small tapas style plates to meat and cheese sharing boards. Botanical interior, lots of pink and luxurious suede – and yes it’s very “Instagrammable”
A paradise for Instagrammers, 202 Kitchen provides plenty of photo opportunities, EXTRA cocktails, street food and more. Moving to Birmingham City centre, you can book your table now
Ever fancied being in your very own pop video? well now you can with go-experience who deliver unforgettable pop video party packages for hen parties! Before the big day, you and your friends can choose your favourite song. On the day your filmmaker and choreographer will take you through the moves and direct you every step of the way, whilst your make-up artists will make you look and feel fantastic.There’ll be a welcome glass of bubbly to help with any nerves, lots of laughs and great photo opportunities.
Spa day at The Cube is the ultimate in relaxation. You will be provided with a locker for the day. You are then free to enjoy all the facilities of the club and spa.Your day will also include a delicious lunch, or light dinner. There is a great variety of packages on offer for you to choose from So relax, You deserve it!
The Glee Clubs are a group of live comedy, music and special events venues. They are the home of stand-up comedy, with regular mixed-bill weekend shows and big names on tour with their solo shows. They also host inspiring music gigs, spoken word & talks events and cabaret & burlesque shows.
Located in the heart of The Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham, the Jam House occupies a traditional and Historic Georgian Building looking out on to the picturesque St Paul’s Square. The Jam House is a landmark, long standing, award-winning venue offering a unique combination of live music, good food and great times!
All the fun of a Genting casino, plus a little bit of everything you love and more from the rest of Resorts World, all under one roof. Hit the slots with your hen party and you never know, you might get lucky!
CREATE YOUR OWN PLAYLIST AND ENJOY LIVE MUSIC AT LATEST BAR OPENING JUKEBOXERS
Latest bar opening “Jukeboxers” is a new piano duelling bar where you can choose the music and listen to some fantastic live music – From Whitney to Nicki, the band can pretty much perform anything! They also have a great menu where you can order sassy cocktails and dead frog shots. This place is all about good vibes and enjoying live music again, a great place to book your hen party!
Digbeth Dining Club is one of the UK’s leading operators of street food venues and events. It’s a great place for groups to tuck into some delicious street food and have a couple of drinks. Perfect place to start pre-drinking!
For more information about Digbeth Dining Club events check here
GO ON HOLIDAY TO BIRDIES BAB
Birminghams very own tropical paradise in the heart of Digbeth. Birdies is an outdoor cocktail bar with a beach/island theme selling refreshing cocktails and bloody good BBQ food. They offer a great bottomless brunch with tacos that is definitely worth looking into!
Welcome to the upside down of Birmingham. Ghetto golf is the venue that offers a combination of a seriously twisted 18 hole crazy golf in the heart of the Custard Factory, with an exceptional cocktail bar in Birmingham. Graffiti and incredible artwork everywhere makes them a must do experience in the Birmingham scene.
Loki wine tasting events are like no other. They are trying to get away from the formal sit down wine tasting and make wine tasting more interactive and an experience rather than the more traditional style corporate wine tasting event. The format that they use gives you the advantage of having a wine tasting that focuses mainly on networking. They have five versions of cheese and wine tastings so you can explore a number of different cheese & wine combinations. These cheese and wine tastings are very popular so make sure you book in quickly!
A chance to see Birmingham from a different perspective, no previous experience required for this guided kayak tour on the canal. Their guides will lead you on a journey through the City’s heart on their kayaks that are stable and ideal for beginners and experience kayakers alike. A great experience for you to enjoy with your friends!
Pamper yourself at the Malmaison Spa at The Mailbox, enjoy relaxing with ESPA and Nimue face and body treatments and explore the great variety of Spa Packages at Malmaison.
Toboggan on real snow down the 170 metre main slope with your hen party or have a ski lesson – If the cold is not for you then you can head down to the spa and have a dip in the pool!
HAVE A COCKTAIL WITH THE GIRLS AND TAKE IN THE VIEW OF BIRMINGHAM AT THE CUBE
Cocktails and looking out on the best view of Birmingham at The Cube at the Mailbox. Its quite spectacular and you can also stay at The Cube with Hotel Indigo and I would definitely recommend the club rooms with balcony!
There are some dining experiences that will stick with you for a long time and then there are those that you’d rather sleep off and forget. My first meal at Pulperia has been on my mind constantly since I dined there last month.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located in the heart of Brindley Place, Pulperia is an Argentinian restaurant owned by Michelin starred chef Aktar Islam. Walking through the doors of Pulperia is almost like walking into another dimension – one where it is always Autumn. I was welcomed by warm interiors and beautiful botanical decor. Right away I knew I would have a great dining experience. We sat down at our table in one of the dining rooms at the back surrounded by wine bottles and rustic sculptures, which we couldn’t stop admiring.
Steak is a no brainer here, and I haven’t had a good steak in a long time so I had my fingers and toes crossed that Pulperia would deliver the steak of dreams. Jumping straight into the food menu it all sounded so appealing that I completely forget to order a drink. I flipped back to the cocktail menu to order a negroni and my chap James ordered a beer. I forgot how strong negroni was, and how I am not very good with most spirits! I am one of those terrible drunks that feels fuzzy-headed after one alcho pop. The negroni was not for me but it was my fault for picking something I knew I couldn’t handle. So then I opted for a Tomero, Carbernet Franc red wine which was just the ticket.
For starter, I ordered the gambas – wild argentine prawns stuffed with tomato confit and aji Molleda. It was perfect. Usually ripping prawns apart makes me squirm and I get a bit frustrated but there was plenty of prawns to eat so I was pretty satisfied. James ordered ceviche with bass, citrus, shallots avocado and radish. A refreshing dish, not exactly a go-to starter for me but definitely one that impressed.
For our mains, our eyes lit up at the 400g Herefordshire Chateaubriand steak. I ordered it rare and it was quite possibly the best steak I have ever tasted. The conversation between me and James suddenly went silent. The only sounds escaping our mouths were “Mmm” and “Oh my god”. James suddenly started bopping his head and rolling his eyes back. I should have felt uncomfortable, especially in a packed restaurant, but I understood. That was the best steak orgasm ever. Costing £45 and coming with a very generous portion of chips, when you see the size and taste the steak it’s worth the price and more. Juicy, bursting with flavour and partnered perfectly with chimichurri – could this be the best steak in Birmingham?
For dessert we were torn between the cheese board and the panqueues (pancakes) so we decided to get both. Not the biggest cheese board I have had, however, don’t let the size fool you. The selection of flavours was a first for me and we were both all for it. The panqueues were gorgeous, orange and hesperidina caramel with dulce ice cream, it was to die for.
The service was flawless, our waitress was fantastic and she went that extra mile to help us by explaining each of the dishes. Everyone was friendly and the staff really made our experience at Pulperia memorable. We finished with tea and coffee and leaned back in our seats sulking, we did not want to leave.
From experiencing some of the best customer service ever to tasting the best steak in Birmingham, Pulperia was a dream. The steak was just unbelievable and I waved goodbye to my dreadful dates with steaks over the past few months – I have finally found the one. From start to finish, it was perfection, a dining experience that must be experienced. Whatever you do this coming September, make sure you book Pulperia.
I don’t venture out to Harborne that often as I’m on the other side of Birmingham (Sutton Coldfield) but it has always intrigued me. The amount of independents flooding to Harborne like it’s some sort of DisneyWorld for foodies had me a tad jealous the past few months and so I vowed to go there one day in July. Of course, it neared the end of July and I had totally forgotten about it until I visited The Botanical Gardens and searched for places to eat nearby. Sat at the top of my Google search was Estado da India, it was finally time.
Please note that this experience was NOT gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located on a busy road it the centre of Harborne, Estado Da India is a Portuguese-Indian restaurant brought to you by the highly successful Lasan Group. Celebrating a union of two cultures, they sell a variety of tapas-style sharing plates bursting with flavour, colour and spices. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and super cosy, my partner and I both admired the artwork and the many dedications to the Portuguese and Indian cultures. Our server was lovely and very helpful, although she was new and couldn’t answer all of our questions, she tried her best to give us as much information and as many recommendations as possible.
James and I opted for the following dishes: Iberian lamb ribs, Morcela Potato, Lemon rice, Chicken Espetada, Duroc Pork Belly, Tomate Naan and Masala Fries. We waited around 10-15 minutes and all dishes came out at the same time. My first impression was that the dishes were a little on the small size, even for tapas. I looked up at my 6 ft 6 chap and thought, he’s going to be starving after this! I was wrong – the dishes are very filling. I struggled in the end to finish the last of the naan but my god, was the food delicious. Like fireworks going off in my mouth. Rich and punchy flavours and waves of spice, and everything just worked so well together.
The lamb ribs were my favourite, garnished with tangy tamarind chutney and the meat was so succulent it just melted in the mouth.Masala fries were crunchy and full of spice. The lemon rice was a refreshing partner to all the spices kicking off in my mouth and the pork belly was also sensational. The chicken espetada was very nice but would have preferred to have two portions instead of just one for £5.25. Now we all have different appetites, some bigger than others so of course, the portion sizes are not going to work well with everyone and especially big groups. As a couple, we didn’t experience this but I can see some diners raising this as an issue as they may not want to spend more money on buying more small dishes. I would suggest around five dishes each, we went for less and it worked but for those who are feeling very hungry, I would recommend five.
The bill came to £41, £20.50 each for dinner is not bad, actually it’s very good! Usually, for tapas I pay around £40-£50 for less than satisfying food so really, Estado Da India was an absolute bargain. Estado Da India ticked all the boxes for me, so much variety on offer here that of course, we will have to go back for a second visit. Many will be spoilt for choice and there were plenty of vegetarian and vegan options which was great to see! When eating out I want a menu to enrapture me and Estado Da India’s menu certainly did that. It’s worth the journey from Sutton Coldfield and it’s worth many more journeys. Estado Da India delivers on so many levels and is one restaurant that should be on everyone’s list to try out this Summer.
We are doing something a little bit different babs, introducing guests posts! I have decided to team up with some of Birmingham’s best bloggers/writers and let them take over the blog. So, let me introduce the talented Small House Big Trips and the lovely bab behind it, KELLY. Kelly documents family days out and things to do with the kiddos from cheap and cheerful days out to those exciting and memorable special occasions for the little ones. The blog is jam-packed with great advice, reviews, features and more. I am so excited to team up with Kelly to bring you this fantastic guide for you to use this Summer, She has worked extremely hard on it so please give Small House big trips a follow here.
The summer holidays are nearly here and SmallHouseBigTrips and Bab About Town have decided to join together to bring you the best 20 Birmingham based things to do with your children this summer. Some are FREE, some are a little money and then we have a few splurge choices for those with some spare money to spend.
1)LEGOLAND NINJAGO EVENT AND LEGOLAND DISCOVERY CENTRE
Real and virtual worlds collide, as you have the chance to enter the world of NINJAGO and complete exciting challenges alongside your favourite characters as part of the brand new AR experience! Join Lloyd, Cole, Zane, Jay, Kai and Nya to ‘BE NINJA’ on the quest to find the six golden fragments and learn their moves as real and virtual worlds collide. Restore the Golden Amulet and be rewarded as you complete the challenges. Plus, continue the adventure as LEGOLAND celebrate 10 years of LEGO NINJAGO.
Find the Golden ninja in MINILAND – The hunt is on to spot Lloyd, Kai, Cole, Zane, Jay and Master Wu, so they can start their adventure.
Meet Your LEGO NINJAGO hero, Lloyd!
Build a Ninja creation for a chance to win a rare Golden Amulet!
Experience LEGO NINJAGO in the 4D cinema!
Race your LEGO NINJAGO build down the zip line challenge!
Not forgetting all of the usual LEGOtastic activities including 2 rides!
Share the joy, lose yourself in the spirit of LEGO NINJAGO and feel what it’s really like to Be Ninja!
2) SEA LIFE CENTRE
Come and adventure into the rarely seen Antarctic landscape and marvel at the cheeky antics of the penguins as they dive into the icy waters and play in their icy home. See the shark lagoon, the reef area, check out some of the creatures that live amongst a rockpool and if you are lucky, you might get a little stroke. See Nemo fish, rays, seahorses and even an octopus and the psychic Sea Otters who enjoyed guessing the Euro 2021 results. Along with the 4d cinema, there is plenty to see and do here.
3) TREETOP GOLF
Birminghams newest family attraction, Treetop Golf provides fun for all of the family, from toddlers to Great Grandads, every one can join in. Come and play one or even both of the two indoor, 18-hole mini golf courses. Tackle the Tropical Trail or Ancient Explorer then brave the Bonus 19th hole to win a free round.With a bar serving brilliant mocktails for the little ones, cocktails for the adults, tasty pizzas and other treats, it’s a great choice for a morning or afternoon trip. If you arrive before midday you get to play the 2 courses for the price of 1.
4) THINKTANK AND BIRMINGHAM MUSEUMS
Birmingham Museums have you covered over the school holidays (and pretty much any other time to be quite frank). With a number of activities over the holidays all priced really well there is something for everyone.Thinktank is the perfect day out for all the family this summer with a huge variety of fun and inspiring things to do for children (and adults) of all ages. Kids can play in MiniBrum – Thinktank’s interactive mini city where children are in charge. Children can have a go at all the different jobs that it takes to run a city in a space that was designed by children, for children.
Visit the 4K planetarium where you can explore outer space, an outdoor science garden where engineering and mechanics come to life and fantastic industrial collections including the City of Birmingham steam engine and a Spitfire. There are also displays on dinosaurs and wildlife that will wow visitors of all ages. And a fantastic medicine section which I really enjoyed. The brand new ‘Our Changing Planet’ gallery looks at the Science behind climate change and the impact that mankind is having on the planet.
Blakesley Hall have some superhero trails and pirate days – perfect for little adventurers, BioBlitz sessions, an insect photography workshop and The Crescent Theatre will be doing an outdoor performance of Pygmalion.
Aston Hall have the Sonia Sabri Company doing a live performance of Same Same… But Different. They also have Tall Tales doing a performance of Beauty and the Beast, a BioBlitz session and Tread the Board and Attic Theatre will be doing a live performance of Alice in Wonderland. If you love a bit of competition, the Aston Community Games are on too.
Birmingham Museums have many more events on including in the Jewellery Quarter, Soho House and more. Do check on their website where you can also prebook tickets.
5) DIGBETH FUN FAIR
Who needs to go to Weston Super Mare when you have Digbeth Fun Fair right in the Centre of Birmingham. Now featuring a beach and deckchairs too, this is a great place to visit. Rides for all ages from toddlers to grown ups. Every one will find something they will enjoy. If you’re not a fan of rides, how about the leisurely big wheel with epic views across the City?
6) BIRMINGHAM BOTANICAL GARDENS
Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers something for everyone, be it one of the four stunning glasshouses showing tropical rainforest to arid desert, epic playground for children, tearoom and garden gift shop all surrounded by some of the most beautiful gardens in the UK.
Pack a picnic and have a glorious relax on the green in front of the Victorian Bandstand.
7) RUSK UK
Birminghams biggest trampoline park, boasting an impressive 35,000 square feet of excitement and adrenaline filled fun is a must visit. With over 100 wall to wall interconnected trampolines for you to bounce on, either solo or with friends/family, battle beams, foam pits, a trapeze, basket ball hoop, slackline, wipeout and an assault course, along with a designated toddler area, there is something for everyone.
8) LIL’S PARLOUR
Ice Cream like no other. A traditional whip ice cream, topped with a variety of different choices. Lil’s Parlour has also raised money to give FREE ice cream to those whose families may normally be unable to buy some. Contact Lil’s Parlour for the code word (if you need it and want to treat the kids) and pop along to treat your little ones.
9) CANNON HILL PARK
One of my favourite parks in Birmingham. Cannon Hill has a playground, swan boats on the lake, a mini theme park (for ages 2 to 10), outdoor adventure golf with water features, beautiful flowers, plenty of green space to picnic or have a run around and it is also the home to Midlands Art Centre (MAC) who have a cinema, theatre, art exhibitions and the cutest café for food and drinks called Book KILN Café.
Check out their website for events over the School Holidays including Sarah and Duck Theatre Show, The Greenhouse (a magical dance performance) and Horrible Histories live on stage.
10) BIRMINGHAM WILDLIFE CONSERVATION PARK
Next door to Cannon Hill Park is the old Birmingham Zoo. Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park is home to a unique collection of animals from across the world, including Red Pandas, lemurs, reptiles, meerkats, otters, birds, wallabies and a large collection of monkeys.
Some of the animals are endangered in the wild and the Conservation Park play an important role by participating in endangered species breeding programmes. With a café on site and small soft play too.
11) ACKERS ADVENTURE
At charity run Ackers, there is a plethora of fun and exciting activities for you to enjoy. Disc Golf, Skiing, Snowboarding, Tubing, tobogganing, Canoeing and Kayaking, archery, bell boating, bushcraft, Wall Climbing, abseiling and zip wire. Plenty for you to book on and do.
12) CADBURY WORLD
Uncover a world of chocolatey delights and enjoy a fascinating, fun-packed day out at Cadbury World! You’ll learn how your favourite confectioneries are made, play in virtual chocolate rain, and add your favourite treat to a delicious pot of warm melted Cadbury Dairy Milk. Discover the origins of the cocoa bean, before hopping aboard the magical ‘Cadabra’ ride, meeting the infamous Cadbury drumming gorilla! Plus, join Freddo and the whole gang of Cadbury characters as they whisk you away on a wondrous journey in the 4D Chocolate Adventure cinema experience, complete with motion seats. Dive into a bowl of liquid Cadbury Dairy Milk, ride the Crunchie Rollercoaster and take to the skies in a Cadbury Creme Egg airship, piloted by the Caramel Bunny.
13) MOSELEY ROAD BATHS
Grandiose Gothic Renaissance pool building with many original features. No need to book your swimming slot, check the timetable online and just turn up.
14) OLD RECTORY FARM
Although only a small farm, The Old Rectory Farm has been fully restored and operates as a demonstration farm, showing traditional methods of farming.
Animals kept at the farm include Jersey cattle, pigs, goats, ponies, ducks, chickens and geese. It is located right next to one of the best spots to watch the aeroplanes fly by. Walk along the playing fields and you’ll get right to the section where the planes take off and fly right over your heads. Perfect for any Plane enthusiasts.
15) MARTINEAU GARDENS
Martineau Gardens is a beautiful therapeutic community garden and a charity, located two miles from Birmingham City Centre. An oasis for wildlife, a haven of tranquillity, a destination for an outdoor escape, there are two and a half acres of organically managed landscape for you to explore.
Garden highlights include: an orchard growing figs, mulberries, grapes and apples, demonstration vegetable and herb beds, a woodland home (with SLINC status) to Pipistrelle bats, badgers and birds and many species of fungi, nature trail, formal garden with unusual trees and shrubs, children’s wooden shipwrecked play area, sales area selling plants and homemade jams made from the fruits of the garden, a hot house, wildflower meadows, bird hide, ponds, beehives and earth oven.
16) SUTTON PARK
Sutton Park is a 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve located 6 miles north of the city centre. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
With open heathland, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands, and marshes – each with its own rich variety of plants and wildlife, some rarely seen in the region, you could spend hours exploring here. Cattle and wild ponies graze on the land, you can hire adult bicycles to ride around the park, visit one of 4 restaurants/cafes in the park including a Toby Carvery, Miller and Carter, The Bracebridge and Blackroot Bistro or grab an ice cream from one of the ice cream trucks around the park. The park also has 2 childrens play areas – with Banners Gate being the best.
17) THE LIBRARY OF BIRMINGHAM
The Library of Birmingham provides a showcase for Birmingham’s internationally important collections of archives, photography and rare books. Facilities include a state-of-the-art gallery space, opening up public access to the collections. It is also home to the BFI Mediatheque, providing free access to the National Film Archive.
Other facilities include a flexible studio theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre and other informal performance spaces and dedicated spaces for children and teenagers. Why not bring your children to explore the Children’s Library here.
18) LAPWORTH MUSEUM OF GEOLOGY
Enabling visitors to explore life over the past 3.5 billion years, the Lapworth Museum showcases exceptional objects from one of the UK’s most outstanding geological collections. Our state-of-the-art galleries and range of innovative and interactive exhibits are all completely free of charge.
From rocks and fossils to volcanoes, earthquakes, and even dinosaurs, the Museum captures the imagination of all ages.
19) BEAR GRYLLS ADVENTURE
Escape the ordinary and experience the awesome at The Bear Grylls Adventure. Indoor and outdoor activity centre at The NEC Birmingham. Take part in the assault course, escape room, swim with sharks, high ropes course and more. This isn’t for the faint hearted.
20) A WALK AROUND DIBETH
Last but definitely not least, how about having a walk around Digbeth to view the amazing art work.
A new vibrant boutique hotel has opened up in Birmingham and it’s rather fabulous babs. Introducing Aloft Birmingham Eastside hotel brought to by the Marriott brand, located on the Eastside just by Millennium Point in the business district of Birmingham and offering the best of what Birmingham has to offer from just a short walk away. A modern and urban-inspired hotel where music is key and technology is seamless, keeping you connected and inspired throughout your stay. Aloft moves to its own beat and creates bold, open and vibrant spaces for guests to come together and relax. My partner and I was invited down to review my experience with Aloft and to say I was pleasantly surprised is rather an understatement on what’s to come in this review…
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located on Woodcock Street just next to Millennium Point, the hotel is not exactly City Central however soon as we arrived we realised how quiet and peaceful the area is, it was nice to be away from car horns, mouthy party-goers and Sweet Caroline that’s been on constant repeat throughout the City for the last two months. The hotel is only a short walk away from the iconic Bullring, the vibrant underground world we like to call Digbeth and let’s not forget the world’s largest Primark! Unfortunately, the hotel does not have a car park, however we were told to park in the Millennium Point car park (just over the road) it costs us £9.95 for 24 hours which was rather cheap as other times we have stayed over in Birmingham we have had to park at The Mailbox and that costs us over £20.
Walking through the front entrance of Aloft you are hit with an almost futuristic design throughout with loud colours, sleek designed furniture and mouth-watering textures, many Instagram addicts will be lunging into their pockets for their phones, I was one of them. Your eyes are constantly diverted from one area to another, The hotel is visually yummy and by the look at how many guests were there, very popular. One section that will stand out to you is the 24/7 Re-Fuel Snack bar which is great after a night out in Birmingham and you are feeling a bit peckish! The reception is open-planned and very spacious, plenty of seating if you just want to get out your room and relax. Upon checking in at reception we were greeted with smiles instantly, staff are lovely here and very down to earth. Once we checked in, we was then greeted by Catherine who agreed to take us on a tour of the hotel and the Eastside room’s.
The Eastside Rooms is located just next door to Aloft, its Birmingham’s newest conference venue that brings you amazing substantial blank canvases that are perfect for any kind of event. Eastside Rooms caters to big events such as weddings and award ceremonies to small events such as Business meetings or offer rooms that offer a quiet space for you to work, Eastside has you covered with a room fit for all kinds of occasions. There is also a light, airy gym which can be used by guests with great views of Birmingham. After our tour we finished in The WXYZ bar with a bespoke Bab about town cocktail made just for me! What do you like? Strawberries! POOF! It was done just like that…These guys are good. WXYZ offers a chilled space for you to relax in with a cocktail and you can also dine in the bar and play pool.
When we first entered the room, we only admired it for about a minute as we decided to do the tour first and didn’t want to keep Catherine waiting. Upon our second visit to the room we realised how lovely it really was and it deserved our immediate attention. Clean, spacious and cosy, a decent sized bathroom with a more then decent walk in shower that could fit the Kardashians family in there and a huge tv that kind of transported our room at night to our very own home cinema. We were booked into The Urban king Room, it has everything you need from ironing boards to hairdryers to your very own coffee machine plus a great view of Birmingham, we weren’t short of anything. What I really loved about the room is that it featured local artists art work in there which was a lovely touch to the City and something I would like to see more hospitality businesses doing. What really lit our eyes up was the gorgeous “Naughty and Nice” platter made just for me and my partner by the Chefs at Aloft. A stand full of luxurious sweets and desserts from cupcakes to trifles, it was very impressive and a lovely touch to our room, we instantly felt very special. Aloft’s tech-forward approach to hospitality comes to life at the bedroom door as you can’t enter your room via your smartphone! – there’s no key card. There’s also fast, free WiFi throughout the hotel.
In the evening we were booked into Alofts restaurant Tempo! for a three-course meal. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, music-related art work hanging on the walls and a few splashes of neon that was very Bab about town! Looking at the menu, they have a great selection of burgers, pizzas and more, the only thing lacking is the vegan options however. Luckily my partner and I are meat-eaters and we really enjoyed our three-course meal. Ham hock and pea timbale to start followed by pan fried rump steak and classic lemon tart to finish, it was very tasty, and we left feeling very impressed with our Teletubbie bellies.
After our meal we decided to go up to our room and watch a couple of films in our very own movie theatre which features cable tv, three movies later and we were fast asleep with popcorn crawling out of our mouths. We both slept through the night, I woke up with no back pain and feeling very refreshed. The bed was very comfy, I didn’t wake up ONCE which was something, I thought I might struggle with as the hotel seemed to have guests more from the 20-30 age group, so I was quite surprised that we heard no party goers shenanigans throughout the night.
Aloft serve breakfast in the Tempo! Restaurant from 6am to 10am, They usually offer a buffet breakfast however due to CO-VID they put on a set menu for guests to choose from. They offered a variety from meat/vegan fry ups to lighter options such as cereal and yogurt. I went for the English breakfast tea then the vegan fry up which I was very impressed with. I have to say it’s not the most appealing breakfast (I have a thing with skin on sausages pealing) but I was pleasantly pleased with the taste and proves the point of don’t judge a book by its cover, it was delicious. My partner went for the buttermilk pancakes and said they were the tastiest pancakes he has ever had, another successful meal at Aloft and a great finish to our stay.
Aloft Eastside is a fantastic contender to Birmingham’s booming hospitality sector, a great night’s sleep that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket and a more than satisfactory service is something that really stands out here, the room was priced at £85 for the Urban King Room and breakfast which I feel is fantastic value for money as I have paid £100 for other Birmingham hotels for just the room. Let’s not forget about the quirky perks now when you stay at this hotel such as having the luxury of renting polaroid cameras and making your stay as fun as possible especially with your furry friends as the hotel is proud of its pet friendly policy. Aloft Eastside has quickly become one of my top 5 hotels to stay in Birmingham, the staff here are fantastic and really went to great lengths to make sure our stay was positive and memorable. Aloft is bold, eccentric and dares to be different. We need more hotels like that in Birmingham.
To book your stay please click hereand to see more of the hotel please check out my reel of the Hotel here
Green’s is a chic cocktail bar based in Mell Square Centre in Solihull. They have just launched their new ‘Bottomless’ experience and I was kindly invited to be one of the first to try it out. Now I am partial to a boozy brunch but there is so much more to this experience then just getting punters trolleyed. The details, the effort and the thought that is behind this experience puts it right at the top of the best bottomless experiences I have ever had…Intrigued? Let’s do this…
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Green’s latest boozy experience Bottomless gives you 90 minutes of unlimited drinks alongside a choice of grazing board and daiquiri soaked strawberries and cream for just £36. First impressions upon entering the cocktail bar is that it’s gorgeous. Insta-addicts will be scrambling for their phones as soon as they step in due to the eye-catching Blossom tree centrepiece. Suede seating, marble tables, an art-deco inspired bar and lots of botanical vibes; oh yes Green’s likes to make a dazzling first impression.
Your 90 minutes start soon as your order is processed. My cousin and I sat down and a waiter was over in seconds to take our order. We decided to go for cocktails. The menu is very impressive, possibly the best bottomless options I have ever come across. Usually with these sort of affairs you’re either limited to Prosecco or overly sweet porn star martinis. So it was a nice surprise to see options such as gin, vodka, rum and mixers, wine, Corona on draught as well as the standard ‘bottomless’ faves.
The first cocktail I ordered was a “Whoopsy Daisy” – a rhubarb and raspberry gin number. Vibrant, fruity and a winning first cocktail, no complaints here. Soon after our cocktails were served, we were asked what grazing board we wanted, we both leapt at the same time for the meat and cheese board. The board is for two people to share however I can see a group of four easily sharing it. The cheeses and meats are locally sourced and the portions are perfect, maybe even a bit generous or perhaps it’s just that a couple of places I have visited recently have been stingy on the food offering for bottomless brunches.
What’s included in the grazing board:
Cheeses: Black bomber cheddar, Sparkenhoe red leicester, Oxford blue, Godminster black truffle, Waterloo, Baron bigod, and Nettle Yarg.
Meats: Venison salami, Smoked venison salami, Wagyu beef salami, Salt and pepper salami, and Rosemary salami.
Halkidiki and kalamata olives in rose harissa
Debs of Harborne chilli jam
This is possibly the best meat and cheese board I have ever had. The variety was incredible and it was great to see a local independent such as Debs of Harborne making an appearance, especially as I have been wanting to get my hands on Deb’s jam for ages. Independents supporting independents, I’m all for it. The board really complimented the cocktail and as it was plentiful we enjoyed having something to pick at while drinking our cocktails.
The Daiquiri soaked strawberries and cream followed after (not straight away but perfectly timed to give us a breather). Sweet and satisfying. We were both full and very satisfied, but the cocktail show must go on…
We experimented and tried cocktails we wouldn’t usually go for and we asked the manager for suggestions who was very happy to help out. Every single cocktail I had, I liked. Attention! Clean up on aisle eight. We have a drunken Bab. Terry’s Dark Horse was one of my favourites, an orange twist on an Espresso Martini. Velvet Society was another favourite – cocktail meets pudding I would say. Passionfruit, champagne and vanilla ice cream – delish!
As I said before the variety of cocktails that are on offer is remarkable, is this really all for £36?! Each cocktail costs between £8-10 – we managed five each and I woke up the next morning with no regrets and no hangover. What Green’s has done is completely changed bottomless brunch in my eyes. I know it’s not a ‘brunch’ per se but I’ll take pudding cocktails and a black bomber any day over shrivelled eggs with no yolk pop and an insane amount of avocado. I like to pick, I like to graze, and I like to take my time. I know we were on a time limit, but we didn’t feel rushed at all. After our bottomless experience we enjoyed live music from Esther Turner, it was the perfect ending to a perfect night. Do me a favour? Don’t go here. Just let me have Green’s all to myself, please?
Rosa’s Thai Cafe is yet another London restaurant crossing over to the North and opening in Birmingham, we are the second city after all and causing quite a stir on the culinary scene. Rosa’s was founded by Chef Saiphin and serves up ‘award-winning authentic Thai food that is bold on flavour’. I adore Thai cuisine so of course, I was very excited to try this out.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located in the heart of the new Paradise Circus, this is the first Rosa’s Cafe to open in the Midlands. First impressions were at odds with every other Thai restaurant I’ve been too. The decor was understated, the atmosphere pretty vacant – but then again it was a Tuesday night in the cafe’s second week of opening.
My sister and I decided to order several starter plates: crispy prawns, summer rolls, honey-marinated pork skewers, sweetcorn cakes and the obligatory prawn crackers. The portion sizes were decent, the colours were vibrant, and everything looked appealing to the eye. Lets start with what we did like: the crispy prawns were fresh and fragrant and the sweet chilli dip provided a welcome zing. The honey-marinated pork skewers were tender and juicy – a plate I would definitely recommend. Unfortunately, the rest of the dishes were disappointing. There was way too much sweetcorn than cake in the patties and virtually no seasoning. Now I know summer rolls are supposed to be served cold but are summer rolls supposed to give you brain freeze? Biting into one of these was like biting into a choc ice that’s been sitting in your mum’s freezer since 2005. Refreshing maybe but again, bland as fuck.
Luckily the mains were a bigger hit. I ordered the stir-fried beef with black pepper sauce and sticky rice. The beef was full of flavour albeit it a little on the chewy side and the sauce was just glorious drizzled over the sticky rice and scooped up with a prawn cracker. My sister ordered the fried aubergine and confirmed it was sweet, salty and moreish. It was probably the most authentic dish we picked.
The staff were very friendly and attentive, our server was fantastic and I couldn’t help but feel bad when he asked us about the half-eaten plates on our table. Admittedly my sister and I messed up by ordering mostly deep-fried dishes to start. By the time the mains came we were rubbing our tummies and exhaling like labouring women.
Unfortunately for me, Rosa’s Thai Cafe was disappointing. I felt it was lacking the flavours and spice Thai food is famous for. Where was the spice?! I felt I could have gone to another chain such as Sabai Sabai and experienced bolder flavours. After visiting Thailand and tasting authentic Thai cuisine I don’t think Rosa’s comes close. For a quick working lunch maybe – as I said, the service was excellent – but for an evening meal with friends or family it’s a strong no. I understand there can be teething problems in the first couple of weeks so I might try it later in the year, but I’m definitely not in a rush.
I’ll be honest I wanted to love it. It’s in a great spot and the cafe itself is light, breezy and welcoming. But the absence of flavour in its dishes means that Rosa’s might well be overshadowed by others in the city centre who deliver a more authentic Thai experience
It seems like Winter has been forever, ever since the pandemic hit last year we have had to wave goodbye to Summer events such as music festivals but now it looks like Summer will be returning. You will see all over social media that there is a swarm of summer events popping up from foodie festivals to Pride. Yes, Summer is back baby! So I have put together a little guide full of fantastic events that are taking place in Birmingham and beyond this Summer.
I will continue to update this blog post with new events, I am still waiting on a few to confirm but when they do I’ll make sure to pop them on, don’t forget to subscribe for updates!
JUNE 2021 EVENTS
ALFRESCO FEST AT THE ORANGERY
Available to book now from Apil-June 2021 – Ipsley – Redditch
The Orangery in Redditch have launched their fantastic alfresco experiences, introducing ALFRESCOfest a beautiful botanical festival full of botanical themed cocktails and tasty tapas taking place in an enchanted garden. Tickets are on sale now and you can book out the cute potting sheds or greenhouses. You can book your tickets here
ADVENTURE CINEMA AT AVERY FIELDS
11th – 12th June 2021 – Avery Fields – Birmingham – Tickets one sale now
This is the greatest show! An amazing Sing-A-Long outdoor cinema experience at Avery Fields in Birmingham on 11th June 2021 with a showing of the movie that has sold out cinemas all over the world and what about a classic? Dirty Dancing will be showing on 12th June 2021. You can book your tickets here
BIG FOOT FESTIVAL
18th-20th June at Ragley Hall In Warwickshire.
Big Foot Festival is a three day summer music festival celebrating the best in music, food and beer. The line up is pretty class with big bands such as Primal Scream headlining along with an incredible line up of street food and craft beer. Tickets on sale now and can be purchased here
FOODIES FESTIVAL AT CANNON HILL PARK
25th-27th June 2021 – Cannon Hill Park – Birmingham
The UK’S largest food and drink festival is back this year in Cannon Hill Park with top Chefs serving up some insanely good food, live music and fun activities to be enjoyed by the whole family! Currently awaiting more information however you can check for all updates here
JULY 2021 EVENTS
BEER CENTRAL FESTIVAL-MOVED TO 17TH AND 28TH SEPTEMBER
2nd-3rd July 2021-The Mill in Digbeth
The Craft beer festival, Beer Central is returning to Birmingham this year to bring the best in beer, food, and music. You can expect over 30 word-class breweries such as Attic Brew Co and Digbrew Co, and lets not forget the awesome goodie line up including Dishoom, Baked in Brick and more. You can buy your tickets here
BURGER FEST
3rd July 2021 – Aston Hall – Birmingham – Tickets on sale now
For all you burger lovers out there this festival is for you, Introducing Seasonal Markets Burger Fest that is taking place at Aston Hall this year. The line up is one not to miss with Flying Cows, Libertine Burger, Yardbirds and newcomers such as Meat Meets Bun and more! Live bands and DJ sets aswell as cocktails, beer and more will be flowing through out the day, DON’T MISS OUT! Purchase your tickets here
COLMORE FOOD FESTIVAL
3rd-4th July2021– Colmore Row
Colmore Food Festival is an annual celebration of Colmore Business District restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels, attracting more than 30,000 visitors. Awaiting more information about this event to be confirmed please refer to Visit Birminghams website for updates here
BIRMINGHAM COFFEE FESTIVAL-CANCELLED
3rd-4th July 2021 – The Custard Factory – Digbeth
This one is for all you coffee lovers out there! The Birmingham Coffee Festival is back, these two days will bring together the top 40 independent coffee shops and coffee culture experiences from the local area and beyond. Tickets are £8 online (£10 on the door) and you get a cute coffee tote bag included! Head on over to their website here to purchase your tickets
LICHFIELD MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
8th-18th July 2021– Lichfield town centre
The Lichfield Festival is hoping to return this year inspiring multi-arts experiences for anyone and everyone in the Midlands and beyond. Full of amazing performances and activities for the whole family to enjoy running from 8th to 18th July 2021. You can find more information about the festival here
MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL
9th-11th July 2021 – Moseley Park – Birmingham
A 3-day celebration of Jazz, Funk & Soul in Moseley Park, expect amazing live performances from The Wailers, Neneh Cherry and more. Tickets are on sale now but they are selling quickly! You can purchase your tickets here
GIN AND RUM FESTIVAL
16th-17th July 2021 – Edgbaston Cricket Club – Birmingham
The Uk’s biggest Gin & Rum Festival is touring across the UK and coming to Birmingham. Sample and discover new favourites from hand-picked guest distillers, treat yourself at their themed gin and rum bars and let your hair down with your friends! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here
IBIZA PROMS IN THE PARK
22nd July 2021 – Tudor Grange Park – Solihull – Tickets on sale now
Classic Ibiza anthems performed by a 50 piece live Orchestra at Tudor Grange Park in Solihull. Awaiting further information but priority tickets are now on sale and can be brought here
COVENTRY FOOD FESTIVAL
23rd-25th July 2021-Coventry Town Centre
The Coventry festival is returning this year celebrating all things food, drink and culture. Celebrity chefs will be showcasing their cooking skills, fantastic street food will be available and live music. The Festival is free and you can find more information here
GOOD TIMES FESTIVAL
24th July 2021 – Mill Gardens – Leamington Spa – Tickets on sale now
Lets welcome Summer events back, while making great memories with Friends and Family. The theme of this one day festival is to have a GOOD TIME while supporting local performers, food vendors, and drink suppliers. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here
SOLIHULL SUMMER FESTIVAL
24th and 25th July 2021 – Tudor Grange Park – Solihull – Tickets on sale now
The Solihull Summer Fest returns for its 5th year running on the 24th – 25th July 2021. A 2 day festival in the heart of Solihull with a diverse mix of genres across the weekend. Summer Fest has previously featured The Human League, Level 42, The Vamps, UB40, Busted, The Proclaimers, Sister Sledge, Razorlight, 10cc, Scouting for Girls, Feeder and many more star-studded names. Each day runs from 12 midday until 10.30pm with live music, street food vendors, bars, entertainment and an exclusive VIP area. You can buy tickerts here
AUGUST 2021 EVENTS
WARWICK FOOD FESTIVAL
1st August 2021– Market Place- Warwick – Free Entry
The Warwick Food Festival is back, come and join in the celebration of the best in local food and drink. There’ll be around 100 traders cooking up a variety for you all to try aswell as bars and produce exhibitors. Live music will be on through out the day and if you head to the website here you can see what traders you’ll find there, great event for the whole family, don’t miss it!
THE INDEPENDENT BIRMINGHAM FESTIVAL
14th-15th August 2021– Aston Hall – Birmingham – SOLD OUT
The Independent Birmingham Festival At Aston Hall Returns bringing you an amazing line up of Brum’s very best restaurants and street food traders serving delicious food all weekend long, washed down with craft beers, delicious cocktails, and natural wine from Birmingham’s finest bars and microbreweries. For more information head on over to their website here
SEPTEMBER 2021 EVENTS
MOSELEY FOLK & ARTS FESTIVAL
3rd-5th September 2021 – Moseley Park – Birmingham
The Moseley Folk & Arts is a family-friendly music festival with a great mix of traditional, contemporary and downright experimental folk and acoustic music. Live performances from amazing artists and bands such as The Waterboy’s, Frank Turner and Richard Hawley. Tickets are now available to purchase here
MIDLANDS WHISKY FESTIVAL
11th September 2021 – The Studio – Cannon Street – Birmingham
Any whisky fans out there? This festival is definitely for you! celebrating 10 years of Midlands Whisky Festival at the Studio on Cannon Street in Birmingham. Sample 400+ whiskies paired up with some delicious food such as cheese, cured meats and more! Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here
LEAMINGTON SPA FOOD FESTIVAL
11th-12th September 2021 – Pump Room Gardens – Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa food festival is returning this year with live kitchen with local chefs showcasing their culinary skills as well as live music, plenty of street food vendors serving up awesome food and plenty of fun for the whole family. This is a free event and you can check out their website here for more information
SOLIHULL FOOD AND DRINK FESTIVAL
24th-26th September 2021 – Mell Square – Solihull
Bringing a huge selection of food and drink traders in the town centre, you will be spoilt for choice with the best of worldwide cuisine. There will be family entertainment, the much-loved demo kitchen with local celebrity chefs showcasing their cookery skills, and live music. For more information head on over to the Solihull Bid website here
BIRMINGHAM PRIDE FESTIVAL
25th-26th September 2021– Birmingham Gay Village – Birmingham
Yas Bab, Pride is back! Welcoming all to our LGBTQ village, Pride is going to be quite big this year with live performances by Cheryl, Katy B and more! There will be four stages and tickets are selling fast. There will also be a community event on Friday (24th) that is free and will include community stalls, street food, keynote speakers and more! You can buy tickets here
