I haven’t written a food review on here for quite some time, that may be due to feeling a bit too comfortable writing short and snappy reviews on Instagram, dealing with exhaustion since last year and just not feeling excited to write about something. However, a trip to a restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter sparked the excitement inside of me and suddenly I remembered why I loved writing on this blog. There’s something about places like this. Quiet, not much of a social media presence, sitting on a busy street on a Saturday lunchtime with no diners inside, even though they’re serving one of the most impressive value lunch menus in Birmingham. And honestly…kind of pissed me off.
Because it should be full on a Saturday lunch. It should be full every day it’s open from Thursday to Saturday. So I guess it sparked that fire in me again, to shout about incredible independent businesses like this, the ones quietly getting on with serving brilliant food while everyone chases the latest opening. And that’s exactly why I’m back writing food reviews on this blog.
Folium has been sitting on Caroline Street in the Jewellery Quarter since 2017, run by Chef Ben Tash and his partner Lucy Hanlon. And embarrassingly, I’ve pushed it down my “must visit” list more times than I’d like to admit. New openings kept taking priority. Hype, press nights, noise… you know how it goes.
But finally, I made it.
We arrived at 12:50pm on a Saturday lunchtime and the restaurant was quiet. In fact, we were the only ones dining there for lunch, which after the meal we’d go on to have, felt absolutely baffling. We were greeted by Lucy, who was lovely from the moment we walked through the door. Josie threw out an “I think I know you from the MySpace era” and within minutes they were chatting away like old friends. That’s Birmingham for you! As we settled into our seats, the first thing I noticed was the soundtrack. HAIM. The 1975. Sam Fender. Basically my emotional support playlist in restaurant form. At that point, even if the food had been average (spoiler: it absolutely wasn’t) – I was already halfway won over.
We went for the short tasting menu — six courses for £45pp, which genuinely made me raise my eyebrows so high I thought I might need Botox to bring them back down. “That’s ridiculous,” I said to Josie. And it is. But in the best possible way.
First up – chicken liver parfait with burnt onion. A delicate, crispy tuile made from caramelised onion purée, deepened with burnt onion skins, wrapped around a silky chicken liver parfait and finished with pickled thyme ketchup and a fresh thyme leaf. It’s rich but not heavy. Sharp but not overpowering. Apparently it’s been on the menu since day one, and I fully understand why. In fact, I feel like Folium need to cram these little beauties into some sort of Christmas selection box, Forget chocolates, give me 24 of these behind little advent calendar doors and I’d absolutely lose my mind!
Just saying. But honestly… can we make this happen?
Then came the sourdough with cultured butter. Warm bread, a crisp crust, that slight tangy depth from fermentation, and butter that melts instantly when spread on. Simple, but absolutely beautiful.
Next up were the biodynamic grain noodles with shiitake mushroom – earthy, savoury and comforting in a way that feels almost medicinal. Like if you were feeling a bit run down and someone handed you a bowl of this, it’d probably cure your cold on the spot!
And then came the Staffordshire lamb with chicory. Perfectly cooked lamb so tender, deeply flavoured, with a beautiful sweetness running through it. This was the highlight of the menu and one of the best lamb dishes I’ve ever had. And that’s saying something, because lamb is my favourite meat. I’ve eaten a lot of it over the years, but this is genuinely the best I’ve ever had. It was so good I nearly had a moment when Lucy came to take the plate away. Not that there was much left on it anyway (it was all gone to be honest) Just a thin line of sauce, which In fact, I very briefly and quite embarrassingly used my finger to mop up the last bit of sauce – Zero regrets!
Then onto dessert — Yorkshire curd tart with birch syrup. Light, gently sweet and properly comforting. Slight caramelisation on top, almost Basque-style in feel, served with ice cream and raisins. Beautiful.
And finally, the perfect petit fours to end our meal: a Bee Pollen Financier with Chamomile and a Manjari Chocolate Financier with Woodruff. Perfect with a cup of tea and the ideal way to gently finish off what had been a wonderful dining experience at Folium.
Lucy deserves her own paragraph, honestly. Service wasn’t service in the transactional sense, it felt like hospitality in its truest form. We ended up talking about Birmingham, the food scene, life, all of it. It didn’t feel like staff and customer. It felt like people sharing space, sharing stories, and I think that’s quite rare. There’s something really grounding about a place where people genuinely care – not performatively, not for show, but because they truly believe in what they’re doing. It was lovely to speak to Lucy. Within minutes it felt like we’d known her for years.
I genuinely don’t understand why Folium isn’t constantly spoken about in the same breath as some of the louder, more hyped restaurants in the city. Because this, for me, is right up there. In fact, I’m slightly confused it hasn’t been picked up a Michelin star. In my opinion, it matches — and in some cases surpasses — a lot of restaurants currently holding one across Birmingham and the West Midlands. Maybe that’s exactly why this review brought me back to writing.Because restaurants like Folium deserve people shouting about them.
A special restaurant. One I’ll absolutely be returning to. And one I really hope gets the recognition it deserves, not just in Birmingham, but far beyond it.
June in the West Midlands is packed with an exciting mix of food festivals, live music, cool exhibitions and unique outdoor experiences, making it one of the best months to get out and explore! From street food takeovers and summer dining clubs to immersive exhibitions at the NEC and creative festivals across Birmingham and beyond, there’s something happening every weekend for families, friends and food lovers alike. Whether you’re planning big days out or spontaneous local adventures, this month is all about making the most of long days, warmer evenings and a seriously strong events calendar across the Midlands. Have an event this month and want to be featured? Please drop me a email – bababouttown@gmail.com
Saturday 6th June – One Retreat Festival & Birmingham Artisan Market at Highbury Hall – OneRetreat brings together the best of the city’s wellness community for a celebration of movement, mindfulness and wellbeing – Buy your tickets here
Saturday 6th June and Sunday 7th June – Pursuits Festival Warwick – A two-day event that focuses on History & Literature, Music & Dance, Theatre & Art, and Sports & Wellbeing, which offers various activities for families to enjoy for free – More information here
Saturday 6th June – Frequency Festival at Luna Springs in Digbeth from 3:00PM – Frequency Festival returns to Birmingham for its biggest summer celebration yet, bringing a huge day of UK Garage, bass and dance music to Luna Springs in Digbeth. Tickets start from around £15, with the event running until midnight and last entry strictly before 8PM – Buy your tickets here
Wednesday 10th June – Friday 12th June– Birmingham Design Festival – A three day celebration of graphic, digital, and creative design, bringing together designers, artists, and industry leaders for talks, workshops, exhibitions, tours, and networking events across Birmingham city centre. Most daytime talks are free to attend (though you need to book tickets), while some workshops and the evening headline events are paid, with prices typically starting from around £15 – Find more information here
Saturday 13th June – Sunday 14th June – Leamington Peace Festival at the Pump Room Gardens -Two amazing days celebrating peace, hope, community, creativity, activism and connection in the heart of Leamington Spa – Find more information here
Saturday 20th June – Arts, Eats & Treats Festival – Returning to Victoria Park in Leamington Spa, Arts, Eats & Treats Festival celebrates creativity, food and family fun with artisan stalls, street food, live entertainment and local makers. This free event is perfect for all ages and makes for a brilliant summer day out – Find more information here
Saturday 20th June– Country Club Outdoor Country Music Festival at Luna Springs in Digbeth From 4:00PM – Saddle up for a huge country music day party as Country Club brings its outdoor festival back to Birmingham for a full Wild West takeover. Expect non-stop country anthems, line dancing, cowboy hat giveaways, street food, themed décor and festival vibes all day long, with music from artists including Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Dolly Parton, Shania Twain, Chris Stapleton and more. Tickets start from around £16, with the event running until 11:00PM and last entry at 8:00PM – Buy your tickets here
Sunday 21st June – Midsummer Festival at The Confetti Flower Fields – Wyke Manor Estate, Wick, Worcestershire – Celebrate the Summer Solstice surrounded by stunning blooms at The Confetti Flower Fields’ magical Midsummer Festival. Taking place at Wyke Manor Estate near Pershore, visitors can enjoy roaming musicians, enchanting fairies, professional storytelling, flower crown making, choir performances and plenty of picture-perfect moments amongst the flowers, making it a wonderful day out for families, friends and anyone looking to embrace the beauty of summer – Book your tickets here
FOODIE EVENTS
Available now – A Taste of Birmingham Food Tours in Birmingham City Centre – Discover Birmingham’s incredible food scene on this guided walking food tour as part of Birmingham Restaurant Festival’s curated series of culinary experiences. “A Taste of Birmingham” takes you through a handpicked selection of independent restaurants and eateries across the city centre and Jewellery Quarter, with multiple tasting stops, drinks and storytelling along the way – Buy your tickets here
Saturday 6th June – Barton Marina Dining Club – Head to Barton Marina for a day of street food, drinks, and live entertainment as Digbeth Dining Club brings some of the region’s best independent food traders to the waterfront – Book your tickets here
Saturday 13th June – Walsall Dining Club – Digbeth Dining Club returns to Walsall Arboretum with a fantastic selection of award-winning street food vendors, craft drinks, and family-friendly entertainment at Walsall Arboretum – Book your tickets here
Thursday 18th June – Sunday 21st June – Good Food Show Summer and BBC Gardeners World Live at NEC Birmingham – The Good Food Show Summer returns to the NEC for four days of foodie inspiration, live cooking demos, tastings and shopping from some of the UK’s best chefs, producers and brands. Expect celebrity appearances, hands-on workshops, seasonal recipe ideas and plenty of opportunities to discover new flavours and kitchen inspiration, all under one roof – Book your tickets here
Saturday 27th June – Sutton Coldfield Dining Club – Bringing its popular street food festival to Sutton Coldfield Rugby Club, Digbeth Dining Club offers an afternoon packed with delicious eats, refreshing drinks, and a buzzing community atmosphere – Book your tickets here
SUMMER PARTIES/FUN EVENTS
Friday 5th June – Bingo Lingo at Luna Springs in Digbeth From 6:30PM – Get ready for a chaotic night of bingo, dance-offs, outrageous prizes and non-stop party vibes as Bingo Lingo returns to Digbeth for its popular Courtyard Summer Series – Buy your tickets here
Saturday 6th June – The Old Crown in Digbeth Summer Launch Party – Massive garden party with DJS, street food, and cocktails – Free entry – More information here
Friday 19th June – Bingo Lingo at Luna Springs in Digbeth From 6:30PM – Get ready for a chaotic night of bingo, dance-offs, outrageous prizes and non-stop party vibes as Bingo Lingo returns to Digbeth for its popular Courtyard Summer Series – Buy your tickets here
Wednesday 24th June – Bingo Bab: A Charity Bingo Night with Barbara Nice at Herbert’s Yard, Longbridge | From 6:00PM – 10:00PM– Get ready for a brilliantly chaotic night of bingo, laughs and incredible prizes as the iconic Barbara Nice returns to host Bingo Bab at Herbert’s Yard. Expect three rounds of bingo alongside singalongs, spot prizes and plenty of audience antics, with everything from cash prizes to quirky household goodies up for grabs – Buy your tickets here
Friday 26th June – Heated Rivalry Fest at Luna Springs – Digbeth From 6:00PM – Inspired by the viral TV show and bestselling book phenomenon, Heated Rivalry Fest brings a huge outdoor summer celebration to Digbeth with DJs, drag performances, pop and queer anthems, themed décor, quizzes, lookalike competitions and plenty of fan-favourite moments throughout the night – Book your tickets here
THEATRE/SHOWS
Tuesday 2nd June to Saturday 13th June – Derren Brown Only Human Live show at Birmingham Hippodrome – Buy your tickets here
Tuesday 2nd June to Saturday 6th June – ANNIE at The Alexandra theatre – Buy your tickets here
Friday 19th June to Saturday 20th June– Birmingham Royal Ballet 20th Century Masterpieces at Birmingham Hippodrome – Buy your tickets here
Friday 26th June – Lily Allen West End Girl Show at BP Pulse Live from 7.30pm – Buy your tickets here
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Friday 5th June – Reloved Birmingham In Harborne Pre-loved Fashion show from 7-9pm – Ticketed event and you can purchase your ticket at their store for £10 – You will also be able to browse and shop till you drop, with market stalls in store too, on the evening and an auction themed section, to sell off the modelled items – Buy your tickets here
Sunday 7th June – Leamington Half Marathon – Taking runners through the beautiful streets and green spaces of Leamington Spa, the Leamington Half Marathon returns for another year of community spirit and fundraising – 8am from 1pm – More information here
Saturday 20th June – International Yoga day at Pump Room Gardens in Leamington Spa – Relieve some stress, train your mind and learn about how Yoga can help you! – Free event – More information here
Sunday 21st June – Free Father’s Day Yoga with IamYogi at Alfred Works – Celebrate Father’s Day with a calming and uplifting outdoor yoga session hosted by IamYogi, designed as a relaxed community class to help you unwind, stretch and reset in nature. This free session is open to all levels, making it perfect whether you’re a regular yogi or just looking for a gentle way to spend time outdoors with friends or family on Father’s Day – Book your session here
Saturday 27th June – Everything Digbeth Summer market – Zellig presents: Everything Digbeth Summer Market, in collaboration with Alfred Works.Expect a vibrant summer market throughout the Zellig building, packed with independent traders, local fashion, handmade finds, and one-of-a-kind pieces from some of the best small businesses in Digbeth, Birmingham and beyond – Sign up for a ticket here
Sunday 21st June – Knowle 750th Birthday Street Party & Market – Celebrate Knowle’s remarkable 750-year history with a special community street party and market featuring local traders, entertainment and family-friendly activities – More information here
Friday 26th June – Pilates & Pizza Night at RM Pilates Studios in Digbeth – 6:30PM | £30pp – An evening combining movement and indulgence, Pilates & Pizza Night at RM Pilates Studios offers a 50-minute reformer Pilates session followed by freshly served pizzas in the studio. Designed as a social wellness experience, it’s a relaxed way to unwind at the end of the week, whether you’re going with friends or trying something new on your own – Book your session here
COOL EVENTS
Wednesday 10th June to Sunday 19 July 2026 – Titanic Exhibition: Birmingham at NEC Birmingham – Step inside one of history’s most iconic stories at the Titanic Exhibition as it returns to the NEC for a powerful, immersive experience. Visitors can explore detailed recreations, original artefacts and interactive displays that bring the ship’s journey to life, from its construction and luxury interiors through to its final voyage and tragic sinking. The exhibition also includes passenger stories, historical objects recovered from the wreck site, and immersive experiences such as boarding passes linked to real individuals on board, making it a moving and educational day out for all ages – Book your tickets here
Wednesday 17th June – Stirchley Open Cinema x PLONK screening of The Big Lebowski from 7pm – Buy your tickets here
Friday 19th June – Sunday 13th September – Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition at NEC Birmingham – Step into Ancient Egypt at the NEC as the award-winning Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition arrives in Birmingham for a limited summer run. This large-scale experience takes visitors on a 90-minute journey through the life, death and legacy of the King, blending authentic artefacts, detailed replicas, 360° projections, VR experiences and a digital metaverse walkthrough of the Valley of the Kings – Book your tickets here
Do you remember that scene from Toy Story 3 where the toys anticipate a delightful stay at a children’s day care, only to find themselves in the clutches of dribbling, toy-mutilating toddlers? Well, my seafood boil experience at Seafood City was kind of like that…
Please note: This was an Influencer event and this experience was gifted. All opinions are my honest thoughts.
Seafood boils, a foodie craze that has taken over TikTok, typically feature people in bibs, sucking on crab legs, with tables draped in Cajun and garlic butter sauce. Vegans, beware! Despite my reservations about messy eating, the concept intrigued me. So, when Seafood City, Birmingham’s very first seafood boil restaurant, opened in The Arcadian, I was eager to dive in. I had never tried a seafood boil before. I love seafood, but never have I eaten it with gloves and had a bucket-load of it on my plate.
Inspired by the original ‘seafood boil’ made famous in Louisiana in the USA’s Deep South, Seafood City is the very first seafood boil restaurant in Birmingham. It is run by the lovely people behind Vietnamese Street Kitchen—the family-run restaurant in Birmingham. Located on the top level of The Arcadian, Seafood City boasts a decent size and a prime location. The whole point of this experience is to get messy, and even though I’m not one for faffing around with my food, I was ready for this new dining experience.
We started with scallops in a garlic and spring onion sauce. While I can’t recall the exact price of the scallops, the sauce was £3.99. These scallops were delightful—beautifully garlicky and buttery! Size-wise, they were spot on, pretty big, and presented nicely in their shells. So far, so good!
My orange wine fans will be happy to know there is an orange wine on the menu! I was over the moon to see Solara Orange on the menu—a gorgeous orange wine that could easily be drunk like pop! Alongside the wine, we enjoyed a couple of cocktails. They offer a fantastic deal: 2 for £15. We sampled the apricot fizz, raspberry ice, and lychee cooler, with the lychee cooler emerging as my favourite.
The wait for the seafood boil was a bit lengthy, but since this was an influencer event, I understood the delay. Bib and gloves secured, the seafood feast finally arrived. Lobster, mussels, squid, king prawns, potatoes, and corn on the cob, all drenched in Cajun sauce. You also have the option of garlic butter or hot and spicy sauces.
Gloves on, it was time to get down and dirty. Cracking open the lobster revealed a generous amount of meat, and the prawns were big, juicy, and perfectly seasoned with Cajun spices. However, as time went on, cracking open the prawns and lobster became a laborious task. Looking around at people sucking on crab claws, pulling apart lobster bodies, and sauce dribbling all over people’s mouths and bibs, it was quite a horror scene. With my gloves soaked, I started to get the ick.
Now, I have a peculiar aversion to wet things. It dates back to my school days, walking home in soaking wet trousers that clung uncomfortably to my legs. That sensation of wet material against my skin makes me cringe, and I experienced a similar discomfort here. The messiness, the wetness, the sauce in places it shouldn’t be—every time I spoke, Cajun spice squirted into my friends’ faces. I did not sign up for a seafood orgy!
For those who enjoy messy eating, this place is a blast. It’s fun, but if you have a phobia of soggy things clinging to you, this could be your worst nightmare. That said, the food was undeniably tasty. The flavours were robust, the variety was impressive, and the extra touch of garlic bread to soak up the sauce was a nice addition. The seafood boil costs £15.95, with the lobster tail as an extra for £16.95 and £3.75 for 5 squid rings, bringing the total to £36.65. While I won’t be rushing back for another seafood boil, the fried cod, crab, and prawn burger on the menu caught my eye and seems more my style. In regard to the seafood boil, they also offer fried and grilled options, plus larger portions.
In conclusion, this new craze is something people will either love or hate. For me, the messiness was a deal-breaker, but I thoroughly enjoyed the food. It’s an experience everyone should try at least once – just maybe bring some goggles to avoid lobster juice in your eye!
I am partial to a big, fat, juicy steak. To be honest, steak would be my death row meal: steak in a chimichurri sauce with Nan’s deep-fried chips, a glass of orange wine, and Early Birds Bakery pecan pie. I like to think everyone would respect my wishes and deliver, but I have a feeling Nan’s response would be, “Piss off, I’m nearly dead.”
The food scene is buzzing in Birmingham, From incredible wood-fired pizzas to rich and aromatic curries that nod to the city’s storied history with South Asian cuisine, and from vibrant Thai dishes to gourmet burgers, Birmingham’s culinary landscape is as diverse as it is delicious. I have pretty much everything I need except, a quality steakhouse. Finding out Pasture was opening a new restaurant on Colmore Row, my curiosity was immediately piqued. I had heard rave reviews about their Bristol branch and when they announced their Birmingham opening, my DMs lit up like never before, flooded with messages from many of you begging me to review it. So, could Pasture be the steakhouse that finally fills this gap in Birmingham?
We went on a Thursday around 5:30 PM,the bar was filled with city workers going for their after-work tipples and the restaurant was quiet but slowly filling up. Pasture’s Birmingham branch is their biggest yet, and I have to say the design of the restaurant is pretty flawless throughout. The décor had a lot of Manhattan feel to it that I really loved, especially the bar. Sexy interior, high class, and I can see this being a hot spot for couples’ date nights, after-work drinks, or catch-up with the girls! Walking into the dining area, you can see the big glass-fronted dry-aging fridge, which I believe is the biggest in any UK restaurant, as well as an open kitchen for diners to see the ‘theatrical’ open-fire cooking. As we took our seats, water and menus were delivered straight away.
Let’s start with the menu, the cocktail menu that is! It was about eight pages long and offered plenty of options; it was pretty impressive. There were a few that raised both mine and James’s eyebrows: Chimichurri Margarita? Jude’s Beef? We’ll take them both! I do applaud an adventurous cocktail menu. They arrived quickly, and my god, were the cocktails delicious. Jude’s Beef: beef fat-washed spiced rum, coffee liqueur, demerara, and walnut bitters—a cocktail I wouldn’t usually go for, but it was sweet and strong, and warmed the lungs! The chimichurri was different yet oddly satisfying after a few sips. My favourite was Nina Rose, a Ramsbury gin, rose, elderflower, and prosecco drink, which was a refreshing summer drink that I could drink like pop! Price-wise, it was around £10/£11 per cocktail. Overall, the cocktails were a big hit and they matched the price.
Now for the food. For starters, we opted for crispy fried chicken wings in a soy & bourbon glaze and kimchi dressing (£8.50) and the char siu pork belly with puffed crackling, BBQ sauce, and sauerkraut. Service was quick and strong; our server went through the menu for us and was sharp in replying to our questions about various dishes. We tucked into the chicken wings, which were seasoned beautifully. Each wing was licked clean like I set my dog on them. They were crispy, battered incredibly, and a great dish to start with. The char siu was petite yet had an almighty kick of flavour! Paired with the puffed crackling in a sweet BBQ sauce, it was our favourite starter dish overall.
Now, let’s talk steak. You’re going to find pretty much all the steak your heart desires here, just not that £1000 steak covered in “gold leaves” served by someone who looks like they should be out of Lemony Snicket’s Series of Unfortunate Events, which is a good sign. From rumps to sirloins to large cuts like Tomahawks to porterhouse. The house cuts were showcased by our waiter, and we were instantly sold on the dinosaur Tomahawk. Each cut delivers a different flavour profile, texture, and experience. The sirloin is rich and flavourful, the ribeye is marbled and juicy, and the Tomahawk is an impressive cut that’s both tender and full of robust, beefy flavour. The Tomahawk house cut comes with two sauces and two sides, £9 per 100g, with the weight displayed on their blackboards that change daily. We decided to go for 1kg, paired with brown butter béarnaise and Sichuan pepper. Add the chimichurri—it melts beautifully into the fat, and it is sensational. For the steak, it was £90 – now I know a few people will raise their eyebrows at the price, but come on, this is not Wetherspoons where you’re going to find a steak for £10. This is PREMIUM—the best of the best. Highest quality steaks you can get your hands on, from sirloins and ribeyes to the ‘dinosaur cut’ Tomahawk and prized Chateaubriand—all dry-aged for a minimum of 35 days, and you can really taste the quality!
The upscale steakhouse serves some of the finest cuts of steak for miles, using only local ingredients that are ethically and sustainably sourced. For £90, the Tomahawk comes with two sides. We were recommended fire-roasted carrots and Thai som tam, which was a highly flavourful salad with a great balance of sweet and sour that my partner completely demolished. Both were beautiful sides that paired up rather nicely with our steak. We cut into the Tomahawk, and it sliced perfectly. Once thrown into our mouths, it melted and was cooked to perfection. The fat was sweet yet salty and melted away. You could really taste the quality of the meat, and I felt the portions were enough for two people, maybe a little bit more than enough. With a few bits of steak left, we were left clasping our stomachs, and it must have been a sight to see as we looked like a couple of pregnant ladies doing breathing exercises.
I must say service was exceptional throughout our dining experience. The service added to the value of the dishes and experience. Our server couldn’t do enough for us; he was exceptional throughout. Desserts? I was struggling to get up from the seat and do my lipstick, so we had to skip. But eyeing up the options, we know it’s a must to come back.For those curious about veggie options, yes, they exist! But let’s be real – this place is practically a shrine to all things beef. So, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for a crowd of vegans to flock here!
So, the question is, is this the best steak restaurant in Birmingham? For me, it is. I have been mourning the loss of Pulperia in Brindleyplace, which served up the best steak, and I have to admit there is just nowhere that comes near it until Pasture. The bill came to around £180, and we left feeling full and satisfied. Pasture, to me, has fired straight to the top tier of restaurants in Birmingham. I believe it’s here to stay for a long time, and I, for one, am hugely relieved that Birmingham once again has a great steakhouse.
And here we go again…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.
TASTING MENU’SAND STAY OVER EXPERIENCES
ADAMS
Secure your spot for a truly special Valentine’s Day at Adams! Dine with Adams on February 14th for an exquisite Tasting Menu, complete with a glass of fizz upon arrival, all for £150 per person. Bookings are open for their restaurant and the exclusive chef’s table. Make this Valentine’s Day memorable with an unparalleled dining experience at Adams. Reserve your table now and treat your loved one to a night of culinary perfection!
Indulge in a romantic Valentine’s Break with The Clayton Hotel. Enjoy a delightful three-course dinner, complete with a Love Potion Cocktail upon arrival, setting the mood for an enchanting evening. After a restful night, wake up to a full buffet breakfast, making it a perfect couple’s retreat. To extend the bliss, you will recieve complimentary late check-out until 12 noon. Treat your loved one to a special getaway filled with love, culinary delights, and relaxation.
Celebrate love and exquisite flavors this Valentine’s at Punells! Indulge in a culinary journey with their 5-course set menu, featuring decadent dishes like Orkney scallop and fillet of Herefordshire beef. To add a touch of sparkle, enjoy a complimentary glass of their limited Piper Heidsieck by Glynn Purnell champagne. Book your table now for a night of romance and gastronomic delights at Punells! £125 per guest.
For one Wednesday only, Opheem will be opening its doors to create a special Tasting Menu to celebrate Valentine’s day. Booking are open now and you can enjoy a full Valentines day experience at Opheem for £150pp
For the most romantic day of the year, Chef Director Luke Tipping has prepared a special six-course menu for a special event at Simpsons “Valentine’s day Solo Diner” served in their private dining room on Valentine’s Day where you can enjoy a 6 course Tasting menu with 11 other singles from £135pp
Dine at Folium this Valentine’s day, a Modern British Restaurant, situated just off St Paul’s Square. On Wednesday 14th February they will be openfor dinner where diners can enjoy a signature menu of 12 – 15 servings from their signature menu priced at £135 per person.
Please note: Folium are unable to cater for any dietary requirements for the Valentine’s Day menu.
Join Gulp for Valentines for their New-Unromantics, the ultimate pop-up event for those seeking an anti-Valentine’s experience without the clichés! Hosted by Suzie Russell, the culinary genius behind Artisan Epicurean, this gastronomic affair is perfect for celebrating self-love. Indulge in an array of meticulously crafted dishes that play with textures and flavours, putting a twist on nostalgic classics. The experience begins with delightful canapés, followed by three small plate courses, and concludes with a dessert meant for sharing. Escape the traditional and focus on yourself this Valentine’s Day with outstanding food at The New-Unromantics.
Sunsets, cocktails and live music is the perfect romantic setting to treat your loved one this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy six courses from Orelle for £120pp.
Chef Robert Ortiz invites you to savour a distinctive Peruvian Valentine’s Menu priced at £85 per person. The evening begins with a delightful choice of a glass of bubbles or a Pisco sour upon arrival. The gastronomic journey continues with an array of tantalizing snacks, including options like Beef Tartare with quail egg and caviar, Aji de Gallina with purple olives, Tuna Ceviche with rice paper, rocoto, and cream, as well as Anticucho de Corazon featuring black truffle and potato. Indulge in the unique flavours of Yellow Corn Bread accompanied by Chia & Escabeche sauce. For starters, choose between Orkney Scallop Tiradito with yellow chili, pickled cucumber, and watermelon, or Crab & Prawn Chuppe with Cuzco corn and rice. The main course offers a selection between Pisco-poached Hake with saffron, beetroot, and Jerusalem artichoke, and Roast Pigeon with braised banana, cacao, and algarrobina. Conclude the romantic evening on a sweet note with a choice of desserts, including White Chocolate Mousse with sweet potato and passion fruit, or Pisco Madre Macerated Strawberries with organic cream and lemon verbena meringue, followed by Petit Fours to perfectly cap off the celebration.
Experience an enchanting Valentine’s Day at Le Petit Bois! Indulge in an intimate evening of culinary delights and candlelit ambiance that will surely ignite the spark of romance. Secure your table now to ensure a memorable night filled with love and exceptional flavors. Make your reservation today at just £60 per person and elevate your Valentine’s celebration at Le Petit Bois.
Escape to romance with Hampton Manor where guests will enjoy a stayover experience at The Manor House. Check-in at 3pm and be welcomed with a refreshing drink, setting the tone for your enchanting stay. Whether you choose to indulge in an afternoon wine tasting or prefer to settle into your cosy room, the choice is yours. At 7pm, enjoy a unique dining experience in the Manor House’s dining room, a glass of Nyetimber and delectable canapes await, followed by a sumptuous five-course dinner crafted by Executive Chef Stu Deeley.
Priced from £234 per person, the package includes dinner, bed, breakfast, and everything listed.
Indulge in the perfect Valentine’s retreat or a delightful day out with friends at Malvern Spa with their fabulous February offers! For couples, “You’re Berry Special” offers spa access from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, a 50-minute spa treatment, Strawberry Daiquiri, £10 allocation towards lunch, and £20 credit towards retail, all starting from £129 per person. If you’re celebrating with friends, their beloved “I’m Fond-ue You” package provides 4 hours in your private pod, a scrumptious sharing chocolate fondue delivered directly to your spa pod, and 4 hours of spa access, starting from just £89 per person. For more year-round options, visit our website and make this Valentine’s month unforgettable at Malvern Spa!
Celebrate love at its finest with Verbena this Valentine’s Day! Immerse yourself in romance with their specially crafted six-course tasting menu, featuring everything from crispy oysters to slow-cooked beef cheek. It’s a super decadent experience, perfect for treating your favourite person! Bookings are open now, so head over to their website to secure your spot for an evening filled with love and exquisite flavours.
Don’t forget to let them know if you prefer the veggie option when making your reservation.
Attention all Love Birds! This Valentine’s Day, head to Yardbirds for a special celebration. For one night only on the 14th of February, indulge in their Love Birds menu designed for two, featuring the perfect fried chicken share platter. Priced at £25 per person, savour the flavours of their delectable platter and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles to make your Valentine’s dinner truly special.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in style at Poli! Join Poli on Saturday 10th and Wednesday 14th February, between 5-9 pm for an intimate dining experience tucking into some of the best pizza in Brum. Enjoy a delightful spread with sharing small plates, 2 pizzas, and a decadent sharing dessert, all for just £45 for two.
Whether it’s a romantique night out or a fun gathering with friends, celebrate Valentine’s with a delectable experience at La Sante! Join them for their Cheese Fondue Evening on Saturday, 17th February, for just £18 per person. Indulge in the richness of cheese fondue, accompanied by unlimited bread and two sides. It’s the perfect way to savour delightful flavoiurs and create lasting memories with your loved ones. Book your table now for a night filled with warmth, laughter, and delicious indulgence at La Sante!
Indulge in a romantic Valentine’s celebration at Fox Hampton Lane! Enjoy their delightful lunch experience from 12pm to 2pm, featuring their normal à la carte menu or for an enchanting evening. From 6pm to 8:30pm, enjoy a tantalising 5-course menu at £65 per person. With limited availability, reservations are now open.
Indulge in romance with Coombe Abbey’s Valentine’s Day offer! Your stay includes a warm welcome with a bottle of wine in your room, a cuddly Teddy Bear, and a sweet Box of Chocolates. Enjoy a delightful three-course dinner, a cosy overnight stay, and wake up to a scrumptious breakfast the next day. Make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable with love, comfort, and exquisite dining.
Looking for something different for this Valentine’s Day? Elevate your celebration with Kilo Ziro’s exclusive Valentine’s High Tea. Savour the delights of their specially crafted menu, featuring exquisite treats like asparagus primavera arancini, french onion, thyme and olive pissaladiere, cake pops, scones and the irresistible Last Rolo tart. Who will you share yours with? And let’s not forget, You will also receive a specially selected cocktail to compliment your Afternoon Tea.
On Wednesday, 14th February, indulge in the romantic melodies of Tims Wedding Piano (back by popular demand). Tim’s enchanting music will play from 4.30pm to 9.30pm, creating the perfect backdrop for your Valentine’s celebration. (£38 per head on Wednesday) They also have two more dates (without Tims Piano, £35pp) Saturday 17th February and Sunday 18th February 2024.
MANAHATTA – THAT’S SO FETCH! GALENTINES BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH
Get in loser, we’re going to a Mean Girls Bottomless Party at Manahatta Temple Street! 💅🏼🎀 Channel your inner Regina George and head to Manahatta for a plastics-approved event in Birmingham that’s so fetch. In girl world, Valentine’s is out and Galentine’s is in – the one weekend a year to sip, savour, and spill the tea with your besties, and no one can say anything about it. Indulge in a fabulous meal and enjoy their perfectly pink cocktails for two hours while vibing to the soundtrack from your favourite movie and the brand new musical. Dress code? On Fridays we wear pink, duh! Don’t miss out on this cool Bottomless Party – tickets at £41.95 per person.
Enjoy a gorgeous afternoon tea in one of the best hotels in the City Centre – The Grand. Every Wednesday – Sunday from 1pm you can indulge in this luxurious afternoon tea full of savoury delights and super sweet treats!
BLOW WATER – IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE WITH RIOT STRING QUARTET
14th February 2024
Embark on a journey of cinematic and musical enchantment this Valentine’s Day with Blow Water at the Hare & Hounds! On Valentine’s Day enjoy a spellbinding silent film screening of “In the Mood For Love,” accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful melodies of Riot String Quartet. This local, all-female quartet, two of whom proudly bear Chinese heritage, will weave their musical magic, heightening the emotional resonance of the film. Immerse yourself in 1 hour and 30 minutes of cinematic bliss, including a Wonton Noodles break, echoing the delectable flavours of the film.
Calling all Gal Pals! Join Maisie Violet (An incredible creative specialising in maximalist interiors and DIY decorating hacks) and Hiya Petal (An amazing Midlands florist specialising in bold and beautiful blooms!) for the ultimate Galentine’s date night at the cosy and candle-lit Verbena. Embrace your creative side as you sass up your own Anthurium flower with heart and letter diamantes. Send some love with a hand-made collage card, and try your hand at marbling while upcycling a bud vase for your beautiful creation. Top it off with a slice of the best cake in town, made with love by Verbena. It’s the perfect evening of creativity, laughter, and sweet treats for you and your bestie. Date: Tuesday, 13th February | Time: 7-9 pm. Don’t miss out on the fun
Join Trentina for a Valentine’s Drink & Draw event! Gather your friends for an evening of camaraderie, wine, and creative fun at Trentina JQ on Tuesday 13th February from 7pm to 8:30pm. Tickets are £15 and includes a welcome glass of fizz, all necessary art supplies, and a mix of guided drawing and a themed creative brief. While additional drinks will be available for purchase, the kitchen is closed, so feel free to bring your favourite snacks. This inclusive event is not just for the ladies – everyone is welcome to join in celebrating the joy of friendship!
Discover a unique and delightful way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year! Join The Cake Spa for their first Good Pud Club of 2024 on Friday, February 16th, at 8pm, for an evening filled with Valentine’s-themed desserts. It’s not overly soppy, making it perfect for a Galentine’s celebration with your besties, friends, or family. Bring along your loved one or your favourite people and indulge in an 8-course meal, featuring a glass of fizz as a welcome drink and 5 small dessert courses. From hot and cold puddings to savory starters and canapés, each course promises a delightful experience. All set in the charming ambiance of Main St Cafe in the heart of Whittington village, just outside Lichfield. Tickets are limited at £40 per head, so secure your spot for a sweet and unforgettable Valentine’s celebration!
Grab the girlies for a night of candle painting, cocktail sipping and pizza eating whilst listening to girl-power ballads at Laghi’s Deli in Edgbaston. Each ticket includes 2 cocktails, hand-stretched pizza, 2 candles sticks + use of candle painting supplies. Dress code is Pretty in pink and romantic reds!
Announcing ‘The Flapper Speakeasy Valentines Edition’ brought to you by The Flapper and Dominus Von Vexo of House Of Allure! This show promises to tantalise and entertain, featuring a stellar cast bringing decadence, glamour, comedy, games, and lovin’ fun to your Valentine’s celebration. Hurry and secure your tickets fast, as the last event was a big 𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐔𝐓!!! Don’t miss the Valentine’s chaos – the show kicks off at 7:30 PM. Get ready for an unforgettable evening of entertainment and celebration!
If there is something that Birmingham is in short supply of, it’s quality afternoon teas. We sadly lost our champion “The Edgbaston Hotel” this year and there are not many I can recommend other than Hotel Du Vin and Qavali. My biggest pet hate with afternoon teas is that many businesses think it’s more important to shove a load of sweet treats on there and totally forget about the savoury options – cue the basic bitch finger sarnies! Come on, its 2022 – let’s think outside the box. I have struggled for ages to find a well-balanced afternoon tea that hits the spot…until now.
Currently hidden behind those pesky roadworks at the Custard Factory, it is easily missed and it’s a great shame because this place is a true gem. What was once the Clean Kilo, a zero-waste supermarket that focuses on reducing waste and your carbon footprint has now transformed into the “UK’s first zero waste café bar and refill taproom”. I have to say, as soon as I stepped in Kilo Ziro I was blown away at how beautifully decorated it is throughout. The 1920s aesthetic sits at odds with the grunge exterior of this corner of Digbeth. But delightfully so. Kilo Ziro is not afraid to stand out.
Kilo Ziro’s vision is to offer THE BEST Afternoon Tea in Birmingham but have they done that? Kiro Ziro’s afternoon tea is a celebration of small businesses who have thrown in their own creations to create a delicious and special offering. Contributors include private chef Artisan Epicurean, local bakery Sunshine Bakehouse, Holly & The Ivy from The Moseley Farmers Market, Hundred House Coffee and Born Wild Tea.
When the afternoon tea arrived, I nearly jumped for joy – “Is that a load of savoury I can see?!” You know when you have those moments where time slows down and everything goes really quiet like that film, Big Fish…I had one of those moments not with a man or a dog, but with a sandwich. I was just so happy to see a good balance of savoury and sweet, and deserts that I actually love the look of – I was sick of rolling up fruit cakes and chocolate brownies in tissue and binning them when getting home.
SAVOURIES
Goats cheese, shallot marmalade and pistachio tart.
Provolone piccante and roasted pepper piadinas
Applewood smoked cheese with chutney and chive scones
Vegan sausage rolls with poppy seeds
Home-made traditional quiche
SWEETS
Freshly baked scone with clotted cream and jam
Victoria cream sponge cake round
Rich chocolate, biscuit & sultana tiffin
Chocolate, salted caramel & Honeycomb tart
You get quite a generous offering here at Kilo Ziro. Any by now you’ve probably realised this is a vegetarian afternoon tea. However, I am a meat-eater and I certainly didn’t miss it. The vegan sausage roll was my favourite as well as the victoria cream sponge cake which was utterly gorgeous. All savoury options hit the spot and delivered on satisfying my savoury needs. Maybe they could hold back on the cheese if they want to cut back – I do feel they are being overly generous with their offerings. But when that is the only criticism you can think of you know you’re on to a good thing.
The traditional afternoon tea includes a choice of tea, coffee, or iced coffee which was amazing value for £25. We decided to try the afternoon tea with cocktails which is priced at £34 and comes with hot drinks too. They use local and sustainable ingredients and work with many distilleries plus craft beer and cider brewers to reduce their carbon footprint. It was nice to receive a bit of an education on this during our dining experience as I have to admit, I know very little about managing waste. We asked our server for a cocktail recommendation and boy did he deliver. I can’t remember the name of the one I had but it was one of the server’s own creations paying homage to his mother’s homemade rhubarb crumble. Light, fruity and with delicate notes of honey, it was delicious. My sister wanted to get in on the action but couldn’t drink so he made a mocktail version of the cocktail for her which was a really nice touch.
We left with full bellies, smiles on our faces and me finally at peace that I’d found a great afternoon tea in the city. Given the bargain price of this afternoon tea, the quantity of treats you get and the delightful drinks on offer, I truly believe that it is the best afternoon tea in Birmingham. Book it immediately.
The most confusing relationship I have ever had with a restaurant has to be with Mediterranean eatery “Noels” by The Mailbox in Birmingham. When they invited me to try out their new Summer menu, I was a bit apprehensive due to the fact my last visit was a disaster and the one before that was barely average.
I’ll admit when it first opened it had promise but two disappointing meals in a row left me feeling frustrated with the place and I had almost added it to my ‘never again’ blacklist. However, something was telling me to give them another chance so when Noel’s reached out to me a year after my last visit, I gave it a third shot.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
I visited on a Tuesday lunchtime and it was gravely quiet. I was shown to my table and given a menu straight away. You can’t deny that Noel’s is a beautiful restaurant; chic interior throughout with pops of floral. They must get a bit frustrated with the number of guests taking photos for the ‘gram’ – I, of course, was one of them! I ordered a cocktail to start, opting for the Cherry Pop that many Instagrammers will fight over, and surprise surprise, it was pretty good!
For starter I ordered the hand-dived scallops with cauliflower purée, vin blanc sauce, caviar and salmon roe for £13.95. Cooked perfectly, fresh, and full of flavour – a great start. It took around 10 minutes for the starter to come out and the staff were pretty quick with drinks. I ordered another cocktail with my pan-fried monkfish tail in a basil and lime sauce for £23.95. I ordered the Rose Gold Gimlet which was gorgeous and very sweet! Another stunning cocktail almost too pretty to touch!
The monkfish was cooked to perfection but I could do with a bit more of a kick to the sauce! The monkfish comes on its own and for £23.95 I expected some carbs or veg but you have to order separately. I opted for the asparagus with parma ham & parmesan at £5.95 and chips at £3.95, both were great pleasant enough but when you add it up it meant the main dish was around £34 which was pretty pricey.
I was quite stuffed after my main but I was eager for a sweet fix! So, I went for the petit fours for £6 and a flat white…and if you watch my stories you’ll know what happened with me and the flat white. The petit fours were very nice, small but sweet and were just enough – I am not really a sweet fan so I could only polish off three. Perfectly fine but I feel given how much Noel’s is charging it really is lacking with that extra special quality.
Staff are polite and easy to talk to, they really made the experience for me as during my last visits the staff have been less then friendly. They always checked up on me, asked me if I needed any more drinks, they were really attentive but still gave me my space.
Overall it seems that there has been changes at Noel’s in order to improve the service and quality of food. The scallops are a must and the cocktails are fabulous here. The only negative for me is value for money. Noel’s is competing with others in the city centre that can offer the same or better-quality food for a lot less. However, I can see they are trying to improve things and this latest visit was definitely the best by far. No restaurant should be hung drawn and quartered over one sub-standard visit, or even two. I finally feel at peace with Noels and I am pretty chuffed to say that I will be going back again.
PLEASE NOTE
I recently went back to Noels due to this visit being an AD/Gifted experience I wanted to see if the experience would be the same, and it was. I recieved great customer service, food was very good and overall it was a very enjoyable dining experience. Yes Restaurants can change, they can improve! I believe in 3rd/4th chances – Call me a fool, I dont care because it was worth it.
Here it is! Bab about towns 2022 fathers’ day gift guide full of wonderful and fantastic Indepedent gifts to impress your Dads and become the favourite child. From meals out to hampers to festival tickets – There is something for every Dad in this gift guide. Remember to shop Independent and support all these incredible businesses and give the gift of an Independent gem this Fathers day!
Please note I am still adding to this gift guide and if you would like to be added please email bababouttown@gmail.com
FATHERS DAY MEALSAND DEALS
THREE COURSE MENU FOR £60pp
Executive Chef, Chris Emery, has created an exclusive three-course menu for Sunday 18th June. Choose from the likes of Porc, Slow cooked saddleback pork belly, caramelised apple or 28 day aged Cumbrian sirloin,both served with seasonal vegetables. Then, take your pick from our indulgent dessert trolley!
Why not treat your Dad to a traditional Sunday Roast this Father’s Day? Ju Ju’s bespoke menu is sure to delight your Dad and the rest of the family with hearty cooking, locally sourced ingredients and the finest wines and local beers! Enjoy 2 courses for £22 or 3 courses for £25.
Tierra in Jewellery Quarter are celebrating Fathers day with this pretty sweet deal where Dads get a free dessert with their meal! If they are a massive fan of tacos then this place is for them!
The perfect present for Dads who love beer, A tour around Attics shiny new brewery.The crew behind Attic will take you around the bits you wouldn’t normally get to see, talk you through how they make the beer and give you two half-pints in the taproom to taste the final product.
A 3 day celebration of Folk, World and Roots in one of the most beautiful festival sites in the UK Moseley Park, Birmingham on 2nd-4th September Tickets available here
MILAN ILLUSTRATOR SUMMER ART CLASSES
Talented Birmingham Illustrator Milan is offering drawing & painting classes at Selly Manor include a range of supported personal projects. Develop freehand drawing & use proportional and observational techniques, including a grid system to plan your portrait. You will be introduced to shading, layering and blending techniques (this includes colour theory and paint mixing) to produce a highly realistic portrait, including tips and tools required to produce a photo-real portrait!
Is your Dad a bit of a joker or just enjoys a good laugh? The Glee Club is the perfect gift for those who enjoy a good laugh. There are various comedy nights on aswell as gift vouchers available to purchase, Give the gift of laughter this Fathers day.
he Dishoom cookery book – and highly subjective guide to Bombay – paired with a selection of essential accompaniments to cook Bombay comfort food and café favourites in your own home. This cookbook hamper includes the Dishoom cookery book and matching tote bag, Dishoom Tea Towel, Dishoom Masala Dabba, Urad Dal (for the much-loved House Black Daal), and Dishoom Chilli Chutney.
If you know, you know! Rub me Tender are serving up these epic rubs for your meats to make them banging! Priced at £12.49, these are for the Dads who love to barbeque!
Do you know a Dad who is a hot sauce lover and want to grab them the perfect gift? Well then, the Pip’s Hot Sauce Taster Set, containing 4 of our Great taste Award winners plus one extra, is just what your looking for. Each taster set comes with a 50ml bottle of our finest inc; Boca Grande (the tangy hot pineapple one), La Boca del Diablo (the classic smoky one), Feugo del Verde (the milder sweet one), La Barbacoa (the BBQ one with bite) and the Nagatropolis (the really really hot one).
Limited edition collaboration packagage with baked treats, Birmingham brewery beers and a Blooming Heck Fathers day card. £60 for 2 people or £90 for 4 people, delivered within a four mile radius of Harborne. Please DM Artisan Epicurean to order.
AWARD-WINNING confectionery made in England, from fudge bundles to Irish cream fudge sauces. If your Dad loves a bit of fudge then they will love Sweatmeat Inc.
Because everyone loves a hamper especially a Grace + James one! If your Dads a big cheese and wine fan then I would recommend having a shop online as they have a great variety of cheese and wine gifts that would make any Dad chuffed to bits!
If you are searching for the perfect Fathers Day gift, then Coppice have something for everyone here! They have hampers to cater for all tastes, from Coffee & Tea to Fizz & Red Wine! You can shop for them online or in store (Middleton)
Grab our Fathers Day gift box with 4 Brummie beers, a wooden beer mat and a special postcard.You could even add a pair of socks or switch it up for a full case of Brummie beers.
THE INDIAN STREATERY HOUSE BEER BREWED BY BIRMINGHAM BREWING CO. A pale ale with a quintessentially Indian mango flavour. The beer delivers a strong tropical presence from the mango which dances elegantly on top of the citrus hops with soft bitter undertones!
Give the gift of bloody good beer this Fathers day, Infinity Brewing have got some awesome gift cubes of their beer plus packs of 12 where you can pick your own beer and mix it up a bit!
Freedom Brewery in Staffordshire have got some awesome beer bundles to really spoil your Dad this Fathers day, How about this cool bundle of one can of each core Freedom beer, a tasting glass, a pack of Olly’s Pretzels, and a Freedom postcard all for £14.99?!
A great gift for those Dads with green fingers, The Jungle Club is a fantastic plant shop in Moseley that offers a wide variety of house plants, cacti & Succulents, Pots and Planters. Too much to choose from? then why dont you purchase a gift voucher instead so they can pick themselves!
Ikon Gallery have a great variety of gifts from books to stationery to art prints to clothing – You will easily find a great fathers day present in here!
I think I am getting the hang of this fine dining thing… I started with Adams moved on to 670 Grams and now for one of the most distinctive tasting menus in Brum (or so I thought) – The Wilderness. Located in the Jewellery Quarter, hidden away down a dark alley, you’ll wonder if you are in the right place. Entering the restaurant is like walking into Voldemort’s lair – if Voldemort liked AC/DC that is. Subtly lit, black on black and moody as fuck, I like it.
Staff are friendly enough and know what we want straight away – to be seated before time and handed the drinks menu. Good start. We didn’t go for the wine pairing, probably not the way to do it but as a 5 ft 1 lightweight who gets loud off a WKD, it’s certainly for the best. I went for the Venetian Kiss featuring salt baked peach, raspberry and elderflower. So good I ordered two more. I went for the £110 8-course dinner menu and within 10 minutes the first dishes arrived.
A plate appears with three ‘snacks’; Shrimp Doughnut, Celeriac tart – Hazelnut, and A5 Wagyu – Nori – Comte. They all hit the spot, especially the shrimp doughnut, I could order about 50 of those to go.
The fourth dish is served, and it was my favourite. The Mackerel is absolutely beautiful and was swimming in a delicious consommé that I ended up dribbling down my front. I was like a cat with a saucer of milk, I couldn’t stop lapping it up.
The fifth dish was the Cod and Iberico, it was just perfect, the way my knife sliced into the cod and it just fell apart, it still sends shivers down my spine!
Although a rather successful start, I was somewhat confused. I’ll be honest, The Wilderness is known for its “fuck it” reputation. I knew there was an edge, but I was struggling to find it in the food. But, it was early days…
The next dish was The Carrot 2022 which started to turn the night around for me. I know, how could a carrot do that?! Well my dears, this was so much more than your bog standard chantenay. Braised carrots with nitro frozen feta crumbs in fact. The frozen feta crumbs are a bit like marmite really, you love them or hate them. I really enjoyed the combination and thought it was a match made in heaven. Another dish where I couldn’t get enough of the sauce, I should of brought a bloody bib.
Next up was Barbaray Duck in Blood Orange. Now I am not a fan of duck so this dish didn’t do anything for me and I feel it would be unfair to review it. I’ll let you in on one thing, it’s cooked well. That’s all I can say. Alex informed me he could of changed the duck to something more to my liking, so my bad.
Many have seen or heard of this next dish – The Wilderness’ signature course Ch-Ch-Changes comes in the form of a Ba-Ba-BANANA. I’ve always been curious about this one and the man himself, Alex Claridge, came over to explain it. “Like banoffee pie but in a banana”. Right okay, the thing is…I hate banana. So I wasn’t looking forward to it to be honest but it was nice to finally speak to Alex, He seemed authentic and obviously passionate about what he does. When you are so passionate about something you do of course get defensive if someone says one bad word, I get it. “Eat it however you want” he says.
I decided to scoop it up in my hands but didn’t realise how much of a slippery fucker it was, My fellow diner was having a right laugh watching and I must have looked like I belonged in a zoo shrieking while the banana danced around my hands. When I finally caught the little bugger, it was surprisingly delicious. A super cool and imaginative dish and I wanted more of the same, but sadly didn’t get it.
The next plate wasn’t for me. Rhubarb with Mascarpone and Buckwheat was my least favourite dish. Firstly, it was freezing, I mean it numbed my teeth as soon as I bit into it, and it’s bloody tricky to eat as the mascarpone is proper hard, Something just wasn’t right. The dish didn’t do anything, and I just felt the flavours didn’t compliment each other.
The last course was Hot Lips. Perfectly plump, blood red and in good proportion. I was not expecting to yell “bloody hell, it’s like a Victoria Sponge!” I felt I needed a brew with it, so I ordered one. A sweet and refreshing end to a rather tasty but confusing meal.
Would I recommend The Wilderness? That is the million-dollar question. I feel like after a pretty mad year of trying out some of Birmingham’s best tasting menus, I’m gutted to say it but this was ever so slightly disappointing. I just wanted something different to the typical dishes you would find in modern, British fine-dining restaurants and I was looking for that edge that I originally thought the Wilderness would give me. Thats not to say I wouldn’t visit The Wilderness again, I will be visiting again but maybe when theres a new menu and hopefully next time it will be more to my liking. There were a few standout dishes but with the price you pay surely every dish should make you say ‘fuck that’s good!’ What I did like was the vibe in there, it’s laid back, so laid back I wore Adidas sweat pants and felt right at home. Service is on point and the rock and roll soundtrack is a nice accompaniment. However, it’s over-shadowed by other relaxed, fine-dining spots in the city that deliver that wow factor for the same price or cheaper. The quality of the ingredients is obvious, as is Alex’s talents as a chef, but I think a few will leave thinking they could of got more for their money elsewhere.
Step into an open-world, a virtual Island where you can interact with other players, choose a game and be transported to a zombie apocalypse, become a Painter in space and climb the ruins of a fallen world. The stuff you could never in your wildest imagination think would ever happen to you, Well now it can. The best VR experience in the UK “Otherworld” has finally arrived on Bennet’s Hill in Birmingham and it’s here to give you one of the coolest experiences of your life.
I wouldn’t say I am a massive gamer; I played Spyro and Crash growing up, have fond memories of playing “Abe” and making him fart all the time. Sims is a no-brainer, I feel like the whole world is addicted to The Sims, and I have spent many tireless but thrilling hours of my life, trying to turn my Sims into the next Hollyoaks soap opera. Love, Scandal, and Tragedy… boredom kicks in and you have to remove the ladder from the swimming pool enit?Now I seem to have developed a bit of a crush on Red Dead Redemption, but I wouldn’t say I am a full-time gamer, but I get why people love games. We get a massive thrill out of them and sometimes when life has been a little rough on us escaping reality for just an hour (or all day for many people) is just what we need. VR has become the next big thing in the gaming industry. I am seeing more and more of these experiences popping up and the latest VR experience to open in Birmingham is Otherworld. A futuristic VR experience, one that has a huge following and is greatly popular in London, so to choose Birmingham as their next location is a massive win for this City.
Upon arrival you will step into an episode of Black Mirror, a long room featuring spacious seating and table areas, projector walls, a departure board (very much like you see at the airport) and a self-service bar featuring beers and cocktails that you pour. We sat down and one of the staff members sat with us and explained the whole concept and how we play the games. “You won’t have ever experienced this” I was intrigued straight away; I am always looking for something new and exciting and five minutes in, I felt like Otherworld was going to give me that. We never booked online so we had to do it there and then, so it took around five minutes to do. We waited around ten minutes and then we saw our names flicker onto the departures board and were advised that it’s time to depart for Otherworld. I made a quick dash to the bathroom which was psychedelic; neon lights, robotic toilets that you can control with a remote to spray your bum and dry it, a robotic voice telling you to relax and unwind, and I couldn’t help myself, I just thought I got to have a poo in here…Most relaxing toilet experience ever.
You walk down a couple of stairs, with the flashing otherworld logo in front of you and an A.I tanoy telling you about your journey…Bloody hell, they put some effort into this I said to James. I had to admit I was a bit nervous; I didn’t know what to expect but staff are great here and reassured me that I was going to be in for a good time…
A room full of pods, no photos allowed as they want this to remain a secret, I walked to my pod (You have to be in separate pods) and staff helped me with my equipment. I was told that if we are ever in trouble (get stuck in the game) that we can press a back button and help will come, Also there are VR helpers from London who listen in and are there to help you if you get stuck.
“Enjoy Otherworld” The pod doors shut and the floor started to vibrate and the screen went black, suddenly a palette of multi-colours opened up in front of me, I opened my eyes and indeed I was transported to Otherworld on top of a hill looking down at an Island. I looked to the right and could see James as (I think he was some kind of ninja) but what made me laugh is that he’s 6 ft 6 and it captured his height perfectly as I started to get a bad neck looking up at him all the time due to me being a 5 ft 1 shortarse. Moving the controllers up and down to run, we sprinted down to the Island…Its incredible. I could feel the heat of the sun on my face, bloody hell, don’t tell me you can catch a tan as well in this experience? Then in the winter section of the Island I almost nearly lost my bloody wig didn’t I!? as the winter winds blow through you so I legged it! Can you imagine them opening the pod to that image…
The games and adventures are spread out across the Islands (in four corners) organised by difficulty, Spring being the easiest and Winter being the most difficult. We could see other players with name tags floating around, one player floated up to James raising his fists and it was an intense stand-off between each other, I couldn’t help by shouting “Fight, IT’S A REAL FIGHT!”
People were throwing bunnies off each other and there is also a giant Ferris wheel you can ride. With an hour of gaming time it was straight to the games, Arizona Sunshine (Autumn) I was advised “It’s a bit like Call of Duty Zombies” well that’s me sold so we headed there together to play.
So in this game you have to team up with your friends and survive the Zombie Apocalypse, If you like scary VR games this one is for you and I think one of the chaps from London was very amused with my Brummie screams of “OH ITS CRAWLY FUCKER AND THIS ONE IS LIKE A BLOODY CREEPING JESUS” London interrupted a few times laughing and told me I had limited bullets so there was no need to be scared. Your based in the American South-West during a Zombie Apocalypse with nothing but guns in your hands, as the time went on it got harder and harder.
The next game was Half-life: Alyx this game took 15 YEARS to be made, and when you play it, you will see why. I don’t think I will ever experience anything like this in my life, so if you’re a gamer and want to be blown away, this is the game. You are humanity’s only chance for survival, Earth has been captured by an evil alien empire known as the combine. You are Alyx Vance, member of the anti-Combine resistance, on a mission to rescue your father. When you first enter the game, you are on top of a building looking out at a futuristic skyline with what only I can describe as a War of the worlds alien shooting down buildings. Straight away I feel myself falling into the realness of the game and I am looking around for clues. Words cannot describe how amazing this game is, every detail is just incredible for example tuning a radio and turning the wheel from one station to another and picking up items and standing on a ruined building hiding from aliens – This surpassed all my expectations of VR, I honestly don’t have the words and I know you want words from me but all I can say is, You need to try this immediantly.
Within 1 hour we played two games, we got lost in Half-life, but it was worth it. Throughout the games you pick up points which are exchanged for discounts on drinks or game time, this was proper cool, and I noticed as I was just walking round the Island or throwing bunny’s I would just pick up points. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and yes, the hour went pretty fast as we were enjoying ourselves so much. Stepping out the pods we were greeted by the staff who asked how was it? James was beaming “I need this in the flat, Like I NEED IT, I can’t describe how that felt” and me, I was speechless. I just couldn’t put in to words what I just experienced but I happily told the staff “I’m coming back next week”
The Departure lounge bar is made up of 16 tap self-serve drinks featuring Peroni, Asahi, Lucky Saint and Elephant riders and cocktails from Black Lines. We cashed in our dream coins from the games for discounts for the drinks and I got a very generous £4.50 discount off my cocktail so happy days! I love the concept of self-service, it did raise a few eyebrows at first when I saw the cocktails, I decided to go for the Spicy Margarita (£7.00) which I have to admit didn’t look much but damn, it had a satisfying kick to it.
Price wise – Prices start at £13 on weekdays obviously on weekends they are more expensive, but we paid around £27 for the two of us for one hour plus had one drink so just about £20 in which I think it’s an absolute bargain. You have to download the app to go here so I would recommend downloading before as you have to scan the codes on the bar and show the staff your code to get into the pods. I have to admit; this is one of my top experiences in Birmingham and I think Otherworld are onto something showing us a little glimpse of the future. Me and James came out thinking maybe one day the internet will be like that? I don’t know. Or maybe it’s gone to our heads, but we feel like anything is possible after that and what we do know that VR in the future will become a big part in everyone’s life.
An immersive and mind-bending VR experience, that will leave you speechless but craving for more. You don’t have to be a gamer to enjoy this, Otherworld is for everyone. Transport to Otherworld for an unforgettable experience as the minutes go on you begin to forget about your everyday life and be blown away by an captivating VR experience that would only exist in your dreams but is now reality. A huge win for Birmingham.
Another day, another new restaurant in Brum. This time it’s Sri Lankan street food chain The Coconut Tree. It boasts a strong fan base with outlets in Cheltenham and Bournemouth and after my visit to their latest restaurant, I can see why…
You’ll find the Coconut Tree sitting comfy in a two storey building on Gas Street. As I walk up the stairs, I’m hit with Island vibes and splashes of rustic Birmingham charm featuring some enjoyable graffiti pieces. James and I sat opposite a vibrant bartender who really contributed to our Sri Lankan experience. The Coconut Tree is made up of small/large tapas-style Sri Lankan dishes with vegan and veggie options a plenty, but first… cocotails!
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
I am a sucker for a good cocktail or shall we say ‘cocotail’, especially in a cute AF elephant jug. I can hear you screaming basic bitch reading this! The Drunken Sri Lankan features Ceylon Arrack, turmeric infused Cointreau, fresh lime and ginger beer, but does it taste as good as it looks? HELL YES! All I need now is the sun and the beach to complement a fully stocked Tiki bar and our fantastic bartender. James’ Sriki-Tiki was like a bonfire night display…thank god I didn’t wear my cheap Shein wig. Sriki-Tiki is made up of Captain Morgan Gold rum, Mahiki Coconut rum, raspberry, pineapple and lime. They were both a fantastic introduction to The Coconut Tree, now we are excited.Service is sharp here and staff are attentive. The whole menu was explained to us and we were asked our preferences of spice, sweetness etc. We ordered around eight dishes and was advised that should be enough…
FAT SISTER (VG)(GF) £5.95
PINEAPPLE CURRY (VG) (GF) £6.40
CHEESY COLOMBO (V) (GF) £7.95
SALMON, SAY WHAAAT? (GF) £9.95
KOTTHU WITH CURRIED CHICKEN £9.95
EGG HOPPER (V) (GF) 4.50
PAROTTA ROTI (VG) £3.95
SEENI SAMBOL (VG) (GF) £1.50
Most of the dishes were quite small, and when we first looked at our food, we thought no way will this fill us up but actually, it did. Everything went so well together, the Pineapple Curry with the Kotthu, then scooped up in a parotta roti (which may I add maybe some of the best roti I have had). Ah it was blissful! To pick a favourite dish is seemingly impossible as I just couldn’t stop licking my lips and ignoring the groans of my stomach shouting at me to calm my tits and slow down eating, but I just couldn’t stop…I am addicted to The Coconut Tree.
If I had HAD to choose it would be The Egg Hopper, which to me was a bit of a bizarre dish at first but I had heard soo much about it, I just had to have it. Basically it’s a bowl shaped coconut milk pancake served with coconut sambol, caramelised onions with a hint of cinnamon, and Sri Lankan salsa. An absolute must-try and again, it went perfect with our other dishes. The Pineapple Curry was sweet and seductive, I couldn’t help mixing it with every dish and the Kotthu was packed full of flavour. Price wise it’s very reasonable and the quality is right up there.
Food went down a treat and we thought let’s celebrate with another round of cocktails, so this time we ordered The ST.Colombo (Tanquerary Gin, Elderflower, and Lemon Soda) and Yaka (Don Julio, 100% Blue Agave Tequila, Lemon, Mint & Honey) another triumph and after four smashing cocktails, The Coconut tree has moved into my top five places for cocktails in Birmingham. They are incredible. Please note they do 2 for £10 or 2 for £12, depending on the cocktail. Staff are great here, really hands on deck. There is just this great positive vibe throughout The Coconut Tree and that’s what I loved, we really enjoyed all the staff members singing along to the music whilst shaking their cocotails, made me want to get up and join in!
All I can say is Thank god, THANK GOD for The Coconut Tree coming to Birmingham, what a win for Birmingham and win for me especially as its just around the corner from my flat. This could be dangerous for the gut, I already made a name for myself “Bab about Belch”. I could be getting myself into some real trouble here but when the food is this good, I couldn’t care less! Bring on the gas!
Authentic, full of flavour and fun throughout, The Coconut Tree have certainly brought the spirit of Sri Lanka to Birmingham. They did it perfectly, Book now for cocktails and a good vibes meal with friends.
The three words that I said out loud soon as I left 670 Grams. Firstly, because it was so bloody cold out and secondly because I was experiencing a mixture of emotions. Stunned, content, extremely satisfied and angry, anger connects with the Pinch my nips because I was so pissed at myself for trying 670 Grams so late in the game. Everyone was right, soon as I mentioned I was going to 670 Grams I had people all over Instagram and Twitter messaging me, really punching in that excitement of going and high praise all round for 670 Grams. I went with an open mind and left mind-fucked…in a good way.
Booked in for 7.15, 670 Grams is located in Digbeth (Gibb Street) in The Custard Factory. It’s small but surprisingly comfortable – Graffiti plastered on the wall with grunge interior, Tim Burton meets Brum. The first words that come to mind would be “What the fuck is this” especially if you’re brought here for a special occasion by your partner for a “luxury evening of 15 courses” it doesn’t look luxurious but that’s what I love. FUCK the luxury fine-dining lets blind-side you and WOW the shit out of you…I will warn you there is going to be a shit-load of swearing in this but it’s okay, I am no pro and I like food writing enit?
Service is sharp and friendly straight away, we were introduced to Zac who I have to say was perfect from start to finish, none of this false customer business, Zac is authentic and really sold the evening for us both. He was impressive throughout. We started our evening with cocktails priced at £12 – James went for the Pineapple Express and I went for the Eye Candy. Pineapple Express was presented in a Pineapple glass – tangy, sweet, and satisfactory. The Eye Candy was my kind of cocktail that included my three favourite ingredients – strawberry, tequila and Champagne. It took us 10 minutes to settle in with our drinks and soon after the tasting menu began.
HOT & SOUR AND PINEAPPLE
A course made from all the leftovers they have in the kitchen from herb spices added to chicken stock served alongside the pineapple that is marinated in soy sauce and ketchup Manis. Both make a punchy introduction to 670 Grams, I could of had about 10 shots of that soup – We are off to a good start.
SCALLOP & LANGOUSTINE
Served with raw seasoning with aloe Vera and chilli with a dressing made 38-year-old soy sauce! Topped with a raw scallop that’s lightly torched over fire and caviar – A truly fantastic dish that is beautifully presented and the sauce was just incredible, we couldn’t help but use our fingers to wipe up all the access sauce.
MACKEREL
This course was the only course I wasn’t crazy about like the others but that’s maybe because I am not a big fan of mackerel so this may be a bit unfair to review. The mackerel is served with fresh Japanese Wasabi and frozen apple.
BHAJI
Rice Bhaji served with coriander mayonnaise and mango jelly, one delightful bite and it was all gone. Love the little tangy kick from the mango jelly.
TURBOT
Another beautifully presented dish, the pan-fried turbot with a sauce made from all the shells and heads of the fish finished with white wine and burnet lemon then topped with caviar. What a sensational dish and I remember this was the dish where a lightbulb suddenly went off in my head…MICHELIN ALERT. The excitement flowed through out and we decided to order two glasses of the Domaine Drouhin morgan red wine blend that complimented our next dishes perfectly especially with the lamb!
LOBSTER
The next dish (in which many people messaged me about to look forward to) was delicious but I wouldn’t say it was the stand out dish of the night that many praised it to be. Not your typical loaf of bread, it’s a Langoustines bread that is cooked directly on the barbecue with a home-made cheese spread and spring onion oil. The cheese spread reminded me of Dairylea but of course, at a totally different and much higher standard. The bread was baked perfectly – again, another great dish.
SWEETHEART CABBAGE
This dish was a total surprise, a dark horse that completely opened my eyes to be more open with cabbage as well, come on…it’s pretty bland as fuck, but no, 670 Grams whipped up something incredible yet again and made cabbage…SEXY. Cooked in burnt butter with a mussel sauce with wild garlic oil and crispy seaweed – OOF! Gorgeous.
CELERIAC
The perfect consistency – confit celeriac roasted on a barbecue in beef fat with black truffle puree pickled red cabbage and fresh English truffle – I bloody love truffle and I bloody loved this dish. We let Zac decide our next drink in which he said he was going to give us a glass of his favourite drink which was the Mullineux old vines white blend 2020 – An unusual dessert wine that I really enjoyed, it was like liquid gold!
NEW YORK DELI
I don’t think I have ever called a dish “A Sneaky little fucker” but hey, there is a first time for everything and this dish is exactly that. This dish doesn’t look much, it looks like a burnt truffle to be honest so when I threw it down my gob, I was incredibly surprised to all of a sudden I could taste a Big Mac in my mouth. Zac said it’s a New York Deli sarnie or a Big Mac, you choose. How? What? Why? Oh bugger it, I had too many questions to ask but I knew Kray is on some next level culinary-wizardry shit after that dish. Those are the kind of surprises I want to encounter and 670 is plenty of them.
LAMB
Now, this was just sensational – Neck of lamb braised in curry powder with a jerk chicken gravy, it was astounding, taste buds going into overload with incredible bangs of flavour and that lamb just crumbling away in my mouth was just sublime, stuff you could only imagine/feel in your dreams.
FOIE GRAS
This was one of James’s favourite courses – a dish dedicated to a great independent in Kings Heath: The Early Bird Bakery that made the perfect introduction to the desserts of the evening. White chocolate pepper ganache with blackberry and soy compote with grated foie gras.I am more of a savoury dessert kind of girl, I don’t like overly sweet puds or a pool of ice-cream on my plate, so this simple dish was just quintessential and exciting to eat especially for James, I have never seen a grown man get so excited over a little pastry…
POPPADOM
A bloody poppadum for pudding EH?! How’s that supposed to work I whinged but my god, it worked. Tomato masala chutney masala mango yoghurt ice cream cucumber and lime Espuma cucumber rice cracker. Reading this, I would just simply skim past soon as I got to the yoghurt part as I’m not a fan but to my surprise, this is one of my favourite dishes along with the lamb and New York deli. Like fireworks of Punchy and zesty flavours in your mouth, clever throughout and a real treat!
IT’S NOT TERRYS, IT’S OURS
It’s not Terry’s it’s ours, Terry fucking who? This dessert was just beautiful. Sweet, seductive and love the combination of sweet flavours and the crunchy texture from the pork scratchings…Pork scratchings and chocolate? Bloody genius trust me babs.
PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Unfortunately, I am one of those basic bitches that loves a pumpkin spice latte from Autumn to Winter, it’s basic but I don’t care. So, when I heard this was on the menu I was very intrigued. It had quite a thick texture, it does stay on the back of your throat for a bit. Silky, salty, and sweet – Yet another winning dish.
To finish we ended on sweets and chatted to a lovely couple who sat next to us exchanging restaurant recommendations. After a two-hour tasting menu with fantastic beverages, I sat back in my chair and reflected. The experience was just impressive and imaginative throughout. 670 Grams felt like no other fine-dining experience I had encountered before, it was chilled throughout, none of this poshy-noshy bullshit or pretentious aesthetic, I could chill in there with my Nike trainers listen to a bit of Snoop Dog eat great food and not feel judged. That’s my vibe, I don’t want to go to these fine-dining restaurants and feel like I’m judged by the whole room. Kray and the staff were great, Kray introduced some of the meals and was up for a chat afterwards, nothing pretentious at all, he is very likeable.
670 Grams provide the best-valued tasting menu in Birmingham, it’s a fact – 15 courses, 15 incredible courses for £70 like wherein the actual fuck do you find a bargain like that?! it’s also a fact that it’s a complete steal and that Kray was robbed of a Michelin star which is mind-boggling to me as mostly every dish was of a Michelin star level. After the news of Tom Shepard’s restaurant receiving a Michelin star and booked up until June, I could consider it a godsend for 670 Grams, as I don’t want it to get too popular that I can’t book in every month as I believe this is just the start of beautiful dining friendship between us. I think where it’s a bit pricey is the drinks as they do bump up the price, I think we spent around £130 on cocktails and wine.
Look, its bold, daring, unique and unpretentious, and I am a complete tit for just finding that out. I’m fairly confident that it is one of the top dining experiences in Birmingham and 670 grams is definitely not one to ignore. Don’t a be a tit, book it.
It feel’s more important than ever to show our Mom’s just how much we love and appreciate them for all they have done for us. From home-cooked meals to cleaning up and caring for us after our weekend benders, Mom’s are awesome! I have put together a great guide full of amazing Birmingham and Beyond businesses that are celebrating this Mother’s day. From cooked meals to gifts and activities on the day, Your Bab has got Mothers Day sorted this year.
If you would like to be added onto the guide please email bababouttown@gmaill.com
PLEASE NOTE ALL IMAGES ARE NOT MINE
MOTHERS DAY AFTERNOON TEA, THREE COURSE MEALS AND DINING OUT OFFERS.
KILO ZIRO – DIGBETH
Mothers day Afternoon tea from £26 – £51 pp
Enjoy one of the best Afternoon tea’s in Birmingham in a stylish Art deco Cafe/bar that is sure to impress your Mom! They offer a very unique afternoon tea, goodbye boring finger sarnies! They collaborate with a great of local bakers and suppliers to bring you this incredible Artisan afternoon tea that is full of choice and is so delicious! You can make it extra special and add a specially made bouquet from a local florist to be ready and waiting on the table upon your arrival. Please note the afternoon tea is vegetarian.
Hengata in Harborne are putting on a lovely Mother’s day meal on Sunday 19th March where you enjoy 2 for 1 cocktails all day (Their espresso martinis are a must!) and you will enjoy dishes such as King Scallops, pan-fried duck breast and Blood orange cheesecake.
Join Laghi’s Deli on Mothers day to celebrate the main woman in your life as they open up for a one-off Sunday brunch with a menu full of lazy weekend favourites and a ‘Momosa’ or two! Indulge in beautiful Italian food, this is one to book Babs!
Enjoy Mothers day at Chapter in Edgbaston, indulge in a lovely breakfast just £20 pp and you will tuck into dishes such as their homemade brisket skillet or their full English breakfast – Brunch is an absolute must here! You will also recieved a glass of bucks fizz.
Mothers day in the clouds! Orelle has just launched their afternoon tea and it looks wonderful! For £40 you can enjoy Open sandwiches, petit gâteau and sparkling rosé, with a spectacular view of Birmingham.
To book a table please email events@orelle.co.uk
THE BELFRY MOTHERS DAY AFTERNOON TEA AND SUNDAY LUNCH
The Belfry have a great variety of Mother’s Day special offers from afternoon tea to spa days, It seems The Belfry is the place to be this Mothers day! £30pp for gin afternoon tea, £40pp for a three-course Sunday lunch and various beauty/spa treatments for your Mom to enjoy, the choice is yours!
Celebrate Mother’s Day with afternoon tea made by Verbena’s talented team of pastry chefs for just £20pp. Located in Stirchley, Verbena would make the perfect choice this Mothers day!
Looking to really spoil your Mom this Mothers day? then Carters of Moseley is for you! They will be celebrating with early peaks into our their new menu, offering the choice of 9 or 11 servings where you can all enjoy incredible seasonal dishes.
Treat mum to a little luxury this Mother’s Day and book a table at Three Church road. Fancy spoiling your Mom to a Traditional Afternoon Tea from £19.95 with the option to upgrade to sparkling or G&T for £24.95. Three Church Road will also be serving up their hearty Sunday lunches where you can grab two courses for £26.50 or three for £32.50. Whether it’s a hearty roast or a light yet indulgent afternoon tea, celebrate in style this Mother’s Day at Three Church Road in Edgbaston.
Zindiya’s High Chai (From £18.95pp) brings together Indian spices and flavours through not only the range of tea blends, such as masala chai, but with savoury and sweet dishes including homemade cardamom scones, seasonal macarons from Birmingham’s own Miss Macaroon and street food favourite – the Mumbai sandwich – soft white bread filled with a vibrant coriander and mint chutney, masala spices and layers of cucumber, onion and tomato. Try something a little bit different this Mothers day!
Celebrate Mother’s Day with Edgbaston Park Hotels delightful Afternoon Tea in their 1900 Restaurant. Treat your Mom to a sumptuous selection of delectable cakes, sandwiches, and scones in a charming setting with friendly service and a warm ambiance, this is the perfect way to show your appreciation. Book now to reserve your spot.
Call 0121 414 8888 or email enquiries@edgbastonparkhotel.com to book.
HARVEY NICHOLS AND DIOR BEAUTY AT NOELS RESTAURANT
Join Harvey Nichols, Birmingham and Dior Beauty at Noel’s Bar & Restaurant for an exclusive Mother’s Day dinner.Discover the latest skincare and makeup during a beauty masterclass with the experts at Dior Beauty. Enjoy a two-course dinner, a complimentary glass of prosecco and a goody bag to take home.
Tickets are £55 per person, with £20 redeemable against Dior beauty purchases made on the night.
Unleash your creativity and bond with your loved one as you design a bespoke piece of jewellery with Working Clasp at Kilo Ziro in Digbeth. To make the experience even better, enjoy a complimentary glass of organic/artisan wine, craft beer the equivalent amount in soft or hot drinks! Create either a pair of blossom earrings and a dainty single flower necklace or a statement necklace from a selection of acrylic and wooden laser-cut charms – all materials are included and no experience required! This will take place on Sunday 19th March at 4.30pm and tickets are £38
Bean Green Kitchen in Mere Green are delivering a delicious afternoon tea that is available for collection. From satisfying savouries to super sweet treats, Bean Green have put on a pretty fab afternoon tea from £16.95 pp, BARGAIN!
To order please call 0121 439 8388 or 07507 016864
FORAGE – GRAZING BOARDS AND DESSERTS AT HOME
Forage at Coppice Lane have a range of gorgeous treats to be enjoyed at home for Mothers day from grazing platters to desserts, you can get a proper feast in for Mothers day!
Celebrate your Mothers day with a delicious vegan afternoon tea for two at home this year. Vegan sausage rolls, cheese twists, brownies, scones and you can even upgrade to this lovely mini victoria sponge. Priced at £37.99 and serves two. Collection only from The Rainbow in Digbeth
Pause and Hiya Petal have joined forces to bring you something pretty sweet this Mothers day. Moms will receive an adorable raspberry and lemon curd bento cake and a floral bunch which features gorgeous springtime blooms from curly crown tulips to pompom craspedia balls – an undeniably cute wrap of blooms that’s sure to get a big smile!
Available to pre-order now on the Pause website for you collect on Mother’s Day weekend. Numbers are strictly limited.
Hedge have made a blooming lovely bouquet of premium British tulips and beautiful, bright yellow forsythia sprigs coming beautifully arranged in a glass vase. They offer local delivery on Sunday 19th (Mothers Day), you can also pick up in store on Saturday or Sunday morning or Hedge will post your flowers nationally for additional fee.
Tutto Apposto have teamed up two fabulous businesses this year to give your Mom the ULTIMATE Mothers day pamper this year! Offering a lovely massage and the most perfect brows and lashes one could dream of having! All this together with cake, a relaxing candle and some fizz!
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.
