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.
There are some getaways that will stick with you for many years to come, this is one of them. This couldn’t have come at a better time as the week before I was feeling so down and out, to be honest, I wasn’t sure I was going to go…Thank god, I did. Scenery that you could only imagine appearing in the movies, breath-taking views and a getaway that worked wonders for my mind, body and soul.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
THE APARTMENT
Located in Waterhead, across Lake Windermere and Ambleside Pier on your doorstep, you couldn’t get a more perfect location. It’s a 3-hour journey from Birmingham and we found the journey on a Friday morning quite easy-going. Built in the 1980s, Romney Grange is located in a prestigious development on the previous site of the Romney Hotel. There is parking available and also visitor parking on the next level, checking in is very easy and within five minutes we were in. The apartment offers two en-suite bedrooms, spacious living, and stunning views across Lake Windermere As the door opens, our eyes lit up and we both dropped our bags in amazement. The first thing that comes to mind is how stunning this apartment is and how HUGE it is, you could fit a party of 30 and more in here. Beautiful throughout, each room is decorated to the highest standards and the apartment offers westerly views over the lake and onto the Langdale pikes, as well as far-reaching southerly views down Lake Windermere itself. Sliding doors lead from the lounge onto the balcony, creating a private outdoor space to relax and unwind, this was perfect for our morning coffee. The apartment was spotless from top to bottom, not even Kim Woodburn would pick up a speck of dirt in here! The kitchen/dining area was my favourite room especially when the sun was going down which was beautiful. The living room was so spacious, I think on one sofa you could fit a family of six on – I looked like a right little hobbit on it, it even made my partner James who is 6 ft 6 look tiny! Everything you need is there from extra towels to milk to an interactive guide on the iPad – Which came in very handy as Natalie (The Owner) provided all the best recommendations from restaurants to bars to walks in the area – I hardly did any investigating at all! On a table, there were maps, guidebooks and everything you need to feel comfortable and prepared for your trip to the Lakes. The bedrooms were also stunning, nice and spacious with en-suites. That bath was utter bliss and yes, I went to town with the bubble bath. Walk-in showers that provided plenty of space to wash and do the Gangnam style dance. James couldn’t believe he could fit under the shower as a tall lad he struggles with life 90% of the time so, it was nice to see him get excited about this. Plenty of wardrobe space is available and each room provided a lovely view of the Countryside.
LOCATION
Waterhead is an ideal location; it is utterly charming and the perfect starting point for your Lakes getaway! The Pier is stunning and your able to travel to different parts of Lake Windermere via boat which came in very handy – We did use the boat and we also found travelling from car was pretty easy to do too. There is bus stops right outside the apartment making it extremely easy to visit other places such as Grasmere, Bowness and Hawkshead. Travelling around from the apartment I can guarantee you will find it extremely easy. I will do a full Lake District guide on this providing bar, restaurant and things to do recommendations – keep a look out for this over the next month. There was a lovely little coffee shop just outside the apartment (literally opposite) where we popped down for a morning coffee and sandwich, it was lovely, and they do a banging cheese and onion cob! Also, opposite the apartment was a fish and chip shop, restaurant, pet shop, and post office.
AMBLESIDE
You can walk to Ambleside town centre from Waterhead – It will take you 10 minutes. A lovely little town perfect to have a pint, a little shop and enjoy a lovely cooked meal. For food, I would recommend Lucy’s on a plate where I believe I found the bargain of the century – two courses for £20 where the food was just WOW! Baby Bobotie – EH? I thought what the heck is this reading the menu but then I was politely told it’s curried mince topped with egg custard, GENIUS! For mains I had the Lamb Tagine – I was lambing mad and totally cured of my lamb obsession after eating it – truly wonderful stuff from Lucy’s. Plenty of pubs you can pop into for a pint or tea rooms for a good cream team so I would recommend popping down to Ambleside.
SLEEP/NOISE
I was spoilt for choice, as I had two bedrooms to choose from. I can confirm both beds offer a comfortable sleep, my back never felt that good after waking up! In regard to noise, I found the apartment to be very quiet, I rarely heard anyone. Mostly every morning I went onto the balcony with a cup of coffee taking in the views, I was able to write which is something I have been struggling for a while to really concentrate on, but I just couldn’t stop my pen continuously hitting off my page. Fully engrossed in my writing, I have to thank Natalie for that! A perfect place for struggling Artists that’s for sure!
HOSTS
Natalie was helpful throughout, always there if we needed any help or any recommendations. The perfect host! We were just left to ourselves which was lovely really and if I had any questions I could just message Natalie and she was very quick to respond. To be honest, everything we needed was on the IPAD which provided a list of rules, instructions on electronics and basic information about the apartment, so we rarely had to contact Natalie other than to say, how bloody happy we were!
We couldn’t have asked for something more perfect, No.10 was just what we needed to get away from the hectic city life we live and enjoy a bit of quiet time. Waking up to stunning views of the Lakes with a cup of coffee – A real pinch-me moment and trust me, you will have plenty of these when you stay here. Natalie is the perfect host, the apartment was wonderful, and we were so relaxed, It was just flawless. If you’re looking somewhere to stay in the Lakes then book No.10, I bet my beret on it you will love it…and I bloody love my beret! Truly wonderful, thank you to Natalie for inviting me.
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.
Many people (outside of Sutton) would scoff at this guide as many are under the influence that Sutton Coldfield has nothing to offer. I would agree there does seem to be more boarded-up businesses than open businesses in the Centre. We can all agree that the City centre is in desperate need to be restored, However, with revamp plans floating around, we may just be getting that. The foodie scene in Sutton Coldfield is a bit of a scavengers hunt, believe it or not, there are fantastic foodie gems scattered in and all-around Sutton Coldfield. For the past two years, we have seen some new and exciting businesses popping up and bringing a bit of excitement to Sutton Coldfield. So, I have put this foodie guide together to show off some of the great Independents we have in the North and trust me, over the next couple of months this guide will get even bigger! Watch this space.
BRUNCH, BAKERIES AND COFFEE SPOTS
Windowbox Cafe:Located on Birmingham road in Wylde Green, Windowbox is one of my favourite brunch spots in the North of Birmingham. Offering a variety of brunch options from American pancakes to breakfast flatbreads, this is one brunch hotspot that you must visit when you come to Sutton Coldfield.
Silver Tree Bakery: A little bit of Lapland in Sutton Coldfield because, why the hell not? Its a lovely little bakery in Water Orton that offers fantastic cakes and hot food such as toasties. The staff are fantastic and it’s a lovely little gem over in Sutton Coldfield.
Jubilee Garden: Located on Birmingham rd just before Sutton Town Centre you will find new Cafe/wine bar Jubilee Gardens that serves up a lovely brunch with a Hong Kong twist! They serve speciality coffee with a great offering of cakes and savoury delights! Did I also mention they do orange wine? Oh yes! They have a fab variety of wine that is specially picked for the cafe! Its a must-visit whenever you come to Sutton so make sure its on your list!
Bakehouse by Baked in Brick: A friendly neighbourhood Café serving up freshly baked bread, patisserie and Brunch daily on Holland rd. In the evenings (Thurs to Sat) they serve up some gorgeous street food plus they do a fabulous Espresso martini!
Deli Social: Located on Boldmere high street, The Deli Social offer a great selection of brunch dishes and hot drinks. The full english breakfast is a cracker and they also do street food Fridays and is open till 11pm on the weekend.
90 Boldmere: A new brunch/bar on Boldmere High Street serving up great brunch dishes such as french toast and American pancakes plus offer a great bar menu.
Blackroot Bistro: Set within the stunning Sutton Park, spanning 2,400 acresand attracting two million visitors a year, the family owned Blackroot Bistro is perched above Blackroot Pool on the edge of a natural meadow. They seek to provide an informal, relaxed and welcoming vibe, offering food and drink from local suppliers wherever possible.
Bean Green Kitchen: Boasting one of the best brunch menu in the north of Birmingham for a champion breakfast its got to be Bean Green Kitchen in Mere Green. They serve classic cafe faves with healthy twists and tasty alternatives.
Caffe Botanico: A lovely coffee shop inside House of Fraser in Sutton Coldfields Gracechurch Centre, its a popular lunchtime spot for many. I love the coffee here and they also do some fantastic salad dishes aswell as brunch options. The cakes are great too so make sure you dont miss out on them!
Onthebreadline: One of the most popular bakeries in Sutton Coldfield and one where you got to be quick as they sell out fast! The cakes are seriously delicious, people que for them from the morning till closing so you best be quick!
Under Pressure Espresso: Fantastic coffee shop in which you could say its the best coffee shop in Sutton Coldfield. Offer bench seating, cakes and coffee beans to buy
The Pear Tree Creperie: The Creperie, located just outside of Lichfield, has been the flagship restaurant of the Heart of the Country Village for over 30 years. They offer a wonderful brunch and specialise in savoury galettes, sweet crepes and delicious authentic French dishes.
Strawberry Fields Farm and Coffee: Families will adore this place, a Woodland paradise where you can enjoy delicious brunch and coffee.
AFTERNOON TEA
New Hall Hotel: New Hall Hotel is the perfect backdrop to experience a tradition made famous by the royal household at New Hall Hotel in Sutton Coldfield. Classic afternoon tea starts at £22.50 and includes a selection of finger sandwiches, chef’s daily selection of cakes and mixed scones served with jam and clotted cream. They also offer a savoury afternoon tea and cater for children too.
The Belfry: Enjoy a British Afternoon Tea with a range of finger sandwiches and home-made scones accompanied by tea breads, delicate pastries and a selection of herbal teas or coffee, all served in the finest Bone China. Available daily from 12pm-4pm.
The Fig & Olive: Served Monday – Saturday between 2pm and 4pm, their signature afternoon teas are baked fresh by our talented in house bakers and are simply perfect for any occasion. They also offer vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea. The Fig & Olive is a great spot for all day dining serving up a delicious lunch and dinner menu – its a must when you come to Sutton Coldfield.
PESTO: Enjoy an assortment of sandwiches, Italian desserts and fruit scones with jam & clotted cream for only £14.95 per person. Served daily from 2pm to 5pm. Great afternoon if you love a bit of Italian!
Strawberry Fields Farm and Coffee: Families will adore this place, a Woodland paradise where you can enjoy brunch and AFTERNOON TEA. They offer three afternoon teas (Standard, luxury and childrens) and they also offer GF afternoon tea. Prices are from £16.95. Strawberry Fields is open from Tuesdays to Sundays, please contact regarding afternoon teas via website
DINNER/PUBS/ROASTS
Pizza by Goli: My favourite restaurant in Sutton Coldfield serving up fantastic Italian cuisine and exceptional service HOWEVER be warned, this restaurant can get extremely busy so please book beforehand. Fantastic restaurant for date nights and group bookings, I have been going here for years and always have a great meal without fail. The Lamb cutlets in red wine sauce is one of my favourites and the garlic bread is always a winner.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Eleon: A great Greek restaurant and meze bar that is very popular in Sutton Coldfield and I can see why because the food is beautiful and service is exceptional. You are always guaranteed an exceptional dining experience here in Eleon. The Meze feast is must, experience the greek way of social dining by tucking into 21 dishes from Pork Souvlaki to Baklava all for just £27.50 pp.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
SUSHIDO: A true gem in Sutton Coldfield offering excellent Japanese food that is available for you to dine in or take out. Sushi lovers will adore it here offering a great variety of sushi dishes that caters for vegetarians and vegans, they also offer hot mains such a as red thai curry and bao buns.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
The Bracebridge: A charming restaurant that can be found within Sutton Park that offers a fantastic dining experience with a pretty impressive view of the lakes in Sutton Park. This is a great option for that special occassion, a little bit on the pricey side however they do offer a fixed menu of two courses for £19.95 or three courses for £25.95 on Wednesday and Thursdays.Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Giggling Squid: Giggling Squid is one of the latest additions to the area, a restaurant that specialises in Thai Cuisine with restaurants in Harborne, Leamington Spa and so on. This restaurant has quickly become one of my favourites in the North of Birmingham. The lamb shank dish is a must, and the cocktails are pretty fab here too! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Veerus: Veerus serve up delicious authenthic Indian Cuisine with a great atmosphere. Prices are very reasonable here for the quality of food you get, and its a great place to chill out with a beer and tuck into some quality food. If you go to Veerus you must order the large mix grill, its pretty incredible! Vegetarian, options available
Cock N Bull: Juicy monster Buns and Camden Hells on draught, thats what I am talking about! Really chilled out place and is perfect for catching up with friends, pre drinks or date night. If you love filthy burgers and kick ass fried chicke, you’ll like this place. Vegetarian and vegan options available
Romantica: A great Italian restaurant located in Mere Green, The food is pure quality using the freshiest ingredients and the service is second to none. A great choice for date night or to celebrate a special occasion. The Antipasto sharing board is a must and pair that up with Romanticas Carre di Agnello (rack of lamb) you got yourself a pretty fine meal. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Panache: One of my favourite Indian restaurants in Sutton Coldfied, Panache is top quality serving up amazing authentic indian cuisine that is full of flavour and will leave you wanting more! I always have a great experience here and thats why its one of my favourites, the staff are professional, the food is fantastic and overall its a great dining experience. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
Chelo Persian Kitchen and bar: Persian food at its best, I had a few takeaways from here in lockdown and was pleased with everyone of them, next up I wil be dining in the restaurant very soon! The food is gorgeous, full of flavour and cooked to perfection. Vegetarian options available
The Butlers Arms: Lovely pub in Mere Green that provides a great atmosphere, from lunchtime to Dinnertime they have you covered with some great dishes on offer from the Indian Spiced Chicken to Belly Pork that will surely satisfy those pesky taste buds. They have some cracking ales on offer here and its a nice place to sit outside with friends with a pint and enjoy the weather. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten options available
The Four Oaks: Recently refubished The Four Oaks is a beautiful pub just on Belwell Lane where they offer brunch, dinner, small plates, Sunday roasts and a beer garden that is perfect for the Summer!. Beautifully decorated without with plenty of seating, many will enjoy it here and I especially love going here for wine with friends!
Your Flamingo: New Pizzeria on the Boldmere Rd serve up traditional stone baked Neapolitan pizzas that are delcious! Plus they offer a great cocktail menu where you can grab 2 cocktails for £14. Open Tuesday – Friday 3pm-10pm and Saturday 11.30am-10pm (kitchen closes at 9pm)
Tikka Nation: On the Birmingham rd going into Sutton Coldfield you will find Tikka Nation, specialising in Indian “Street food” serving up gorgeous curries, wraps and tasty sides.
The Farmhouse Bistro: A lovely Bistro just on Weeford Road serves up a fantastic all-day menu full of traditional favourites to contemporary classics. The Roast dinner is a must here and they also serve afternoon tea.
Narmaste : Serving up traditional Indian and Ghurka cuisine in Wylde Green. Located just above The Lane’s shopping centre, Namaste offers the very best in Indian cuisine with high reviews, its one to book
BARS/BREWERIES AND STREET FOOD
XO LOUNGE: XO Lounge is the place to be where you can sample a variety of fine wines by the glass any time of day (18 to be exact), a unique location with a high quality and extensive spirit and cocktail selection. XO also offers high quality independent coffee, good quality beer with some food and nibbles to match. They also host monthly street food pop ups.
Simpsons gin bar: Located in the heart of The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Simpsons Bar looks to provide you with an extensive menu of high quality spirits, beers and cocktails. Big fan of the gin here and they also serve hot drinks, you can have your drinks outside on the new lovely outdoor terrace area.
Quinto Lounge: I do like the food from Quinto (especially the brunch) but I feel that the cocktails are on another level. Quinto provide variety, and a great spot for pre-drinks or a night out with your mates. Prices are very reasonable and if you get peckish you can always order a couple of tapas dishes with your cocktails! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available
BAR 28: On the Birmingham rd as you come into Sutton, you will find new bar “Bar 27” taking over the old Mutiny Loft venue. Here you can enjoy a great range of cocktails, food, live sports and a game of darts.
The Townhouse: Sleek and stylish through out, The Townhouse is a lovely boutique bar/hotel serving up good homemade food, fabulous cocktails, live music and more. A Hotspot in Sutton, weekends at The Townhouse are pretty lit!
The Station pub: Iconic pub in Sutton Coldfield, I have been going here for years! It seems to be everyones favourite pub in Sutton Coldfield with a great variety of booze on offer, live music and DJ Sets. Its one to visit!
Leviathan Brewing: A hidden gem in Sutton Coldfield located on Reddicap Trading Estate offering a great variety of beer (and plenty of alcoholic options) and host monthly foodie pop ups which have seen What the Cluck, Patty Dabblers and more popping up at the brewery. A fantastic taproom offering a great atmosphere here, it’s absolutely worth the visit.
Cask and Craft: An Independent craft beer bar & bottleshop. Focusing on small independent brewers, small batch Gins/Rums and Ciders and hosting street food pop ups every month. A great place to chill with friends with a pint and tuck into some fantastic street food such as Cleopatra Kitchen, Sticky Beaks and more.
Pitalicious: Mid East Lebanese street food here in Sutton Coldfield, Pitalicious is definetly worth checking out. The lamb shawarma pitta is incredible and I am pretty sure the chips from Pitalicious are the best chips I have ever tasted. Great for quick bite or you can dine within the restaurant. Vegetarian and vegan options available.
The Ale Hub: Located in Mere Green, this is a great micro pub that specialises in cask ales, craft beers and a variety of gins. Lovely little spot, they usually put on themed nights and host quiz/bino events.
Burger Boi: Located in Wylde Green on the Birmingham rd, You will find Burger Boi who serve up smashed patties and tasty buttermilk fried chicken.
As a resident of Sutton Coldfield, I am often frustrated with the lack of Independent’s and exciting restaurant chains – no, I am not talking about Nandos and please don’t ever mention Nandos to me because I will most likely roll my eyes and scream. Recently there has been a flutter of new openings in the Sutton area in which I am delighted about, but I am greedy – I want more. Giggling Squid is one of the latest additions to the area, a restaurant that specialises in Thai Cuisine with restaurants in Harborne, Leamington Spa and so on. As soon as the announcement was made and bookings were opened, most of Sutton flooded to try it out and I am one of many, that is delighted about this opening.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
I was invited to experience Giggling Squid and decided I needed a second opinion so I brought my lovely friend (and fellow blogger) Small House Big Trips. As we walked in together for our booking at 6.30 pm, we could see that it was very busy. The restaurant is decorated beautifully, very floral, bright and just generally very appealing to the eye. I had seen some bizarre comments about uneven photos on the walls ruining peoples experiences at Giggling Squid this didn’t bother me at all and quite frankly I’m not here to review the decor or give you a course in how to straighten a photo correctly.
We sat down for our meal under a beautifully decorated arch covered in flora. We noticed that it was very echoey and it was quite loud, but what did we expect? The whole of Sutton Coldfield was dining here tonight. We browsed through the drinks menu and I opted for the Silky Pink Cocktail which is a Lychee Martini with a mouth-watering mix of Fair Quinoa Vodka, Kwai Feh lychee Liqueur, Peach and Jasmine Green Tea. Very refreshing, and something different to the usual Strawberry Daiquiri that I have murdered to death in many restaurants. Kelly went for the Lychee Angel cocktail in which she really liked and found it very refreshing.
We both found the service quick. Our Waitress “Anjali” who is also a fellow food blogger (Anjeatsss) was full of knowledge and very helpful when it came down to ordering. She was able to explain each dish and pick dishes that best suited our taste buds! So to start, we ordered the Sharing Platter which came with hand-cut pork grilled skewers, salt and pepper squid, Thai chicken wings, vegetable spring rolls. A very generous portion for £16.50 offering a great variety of flavours and was a great introduction to Giggling Squid.
For mains we went a little crazy, we ordered; Giant Butterfly King Prawn Pad Thai, Lamb Shank Massamann, Sticky Chicken, Morning Glory greens, Roti, Sticky rice, and coconut rice. One mouthful after the other was a constant punch of flavour that was just irresistible. The lamb shank was my favourite, the meat was cooked perfectly, falling off the bone and into the rich base of coconut milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise. The sticky chicken was sticky, moist and sweet, exactly what it says on the tin with an almighty crunch of crisp, just the way I like it. Sticky and coconut rice both blending beautifully with the lamb shank, scooped up with the roti flatbread helping both to blend perfectly. I grabbed a bite of Kellys Pad Thai that was also perfectly cooked and full of flavour.
To finish we ordered Black Sesame ice cream, however as I am not a big fan of ice cream, it just wasn’t for me. I felt the flavour was very peculiar and unfortunately I am a basic bitch in the ice cream department that opts for just vanilla, so it’s a no from me.
I read some iffy reviews of Giggling Squid (mostly all of them coming from Harborne) which left me feeling a little confused. My experience of Giggling Squid was exceptional, the food was fantastic and so was the service. We loved it so much it has quickly become one of our favourite restaurants in Sutton Coldfield. Is it the best Thai restaurant I have been to? No, but the team have surely put a lot of work into this restaurant for it to work, and it does. I enjoyed it so much that I visited again 3 weeks later (Non-gifted) Yes that’s right ladies and gentlemen, I DO PAY. I had the exact same experience again but service was a little bit slower but it’s early days, new restaurants need time to find their feet and find a structure that works. The food was exactly the same, fresh and full of flavour – no complaints.
A great addition to Sutton Coldfield/Mere Green, one that you will most definitely need to book before as it’s super busy. As a new opening, I was expecting a few hiccups here and there but I didn’t experience any of this. Kelly and I couldn’t stop praising our experience at Giggling Squid. I feel Giggling Squid is a wonderful addition to our town, which I hope now will give the Sutton area a bit of a boost and attract more appealing chains and most importantly Independents.
UPDATE: Sadly, we have to give an update or more so, replace this “positive” review with a negative review as my last two trips to Giggling Squid in Mere Green have been not so good. I hate it when this happens, but my last two visits have not matched the above review. I dont know what’s happened, where its all gone wrong from dirty tables to uncooked food, surely this is not the same restarant? Sadly, I can no longer recommend this restaurant as it seems to have slipped and gone downhill since opening. Its a real shame.
There are some dining experiences that will stick with you for a long time and then there are those that you’d rather sleep off and forget. My first meal at Pulperia has been on my mind constantly since I dined there last month.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located in the heart of Brindley Place, Pulperia is an Argentinian restaurant owned by Michelin starred chef Aktar Islam. Walking through the doors of Pulperia is almost like walking into another dimension – one where it is always Autumn. I was welcomed by warm interiors and beautiful botanical decor. Right away I knew I would have a great dining experience. We sat down at our table in one of the dining rooms at the back surrounded by wine bottles and rustic sculptures, which we couldn’t stop admiring.
Steak is a no brainer here, and I haven’t had a good steak in a long time so I had my fingers and toes crossed that Pulperia would deliver the steak of dreams. Jumping straight into the food menu it all sounded so appealing that I completely forget to order a drink. I flipped back to the cocktail menu to order a negroni and my chap James ordered a beer. I forgot how strong negroni was, and how I am not very good with most spirits! I am one of those terrible drunks that feels fuzzy-headed after one alcho pop. The negroni was not for me but it was my fault for picking something I knew I couldn’t handle. So then I opted for a Tomero, Carbernet Franc red wine which was just the ticket.
For starter, I ordered the gambas – wild argentine prawns stuffed with tomato confit and aji Molleda. It was perfect. Usually ripping prawns apart makes me squirm and I get a bit frustrated but there was plenty of prawns to eat so I was pretty satisfied. James ordered ceviche with bass, citrus, shallots avocado and radish. A refreshing dish, not exactly a go-to starter for me but definitely one that impressed.
For our mains, our eyes lit up at the 400g Herefordshire Chateaubriand steak. I ordered it rare and it was quite possibly the best steak I have ever tasted. The conversation between me and James suddenly went silent. The only sounds escaping our mouths were “Mmm” and “Oh my god”. James suddenly started bopping his head and rolling his eyes back. I should have felt uncomfortable, especially in a packed restaurant, but I understood. That was the best steak orgasm ever. Costing £45 and coming with a very generous portion of chips, when you see the size and taste the steak it’s worth the price and more. Juicy, bursting with flavour and partnered perfectly with chimichurri – could this be the best steak in Birmingham?
For dessert we were torn between the cheese board and the panqueues (pancakes) so we decided to get both. Not the biggest cheese board I have had, however, don’t let the size fool you. The selection of flavours was a first for me and we were both all for it. The panqueues were gorgeous, orange and hesperidina caramel with dulce ice cream, it was to die for.
The service was flawless, our waitress was fantastic and she went that extra mile to help us by explaining each of the dishes. Everyone was friendly and the staff really made our experience at Pulperia memorable. We finished with tea and coffee and leaned back in our seats sulking, we did not want to leave.
From experiencing some of the best customer service ever to tasting the best steak in Birmingham, Pulperia was a dream. The steak was just unbelievable and I waved goodbye to my dreadful dates with steaks over the past few months – I have finally found the one. From start to finish, it was perfection, a dining experience that must be experienced. Whatever you do this coming September, make sure you book Pulperia.
I don’t venture out to Harborne that often as I’m on the other side of Birmingham (Sutton Coldfield) but it has always intrigued me. The amount of independents flooding to Harborne like it’s some sort of DisneyWorld for foodies had me a tad jealous the past few months and so I vowed to go there one day in July. Of course, it neared the end of July and I had totally forgotten about it until I visited The Botanical Gardens and searched for places to eat nearby. Sat at the top of my Google search was Estado da India, it was finally time.
Please note that this experience was NOT gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located on a busy road it the centre of Harborne, Estado Da India is a Portuguese-Indian restaurant brought to you by the highly successful Lasan Group. Celebrating a union of two cultures, they sell a variety of tapas-style sharing plates bursting with flavour, colour and spices. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and super cosy, my partner and I both admired the artwork and the many dedications to the Portuguese and Indian cultures. Our server was lovely and very helpful, although she was new and couldn’t answer all of our questions, she tried her best to give us as much information and as many recommendations as possible.
James and I opted for the following dishes: Iberian lamb ribs, Morcela Potato, Lemon rice, Chicken Espetada, Duroc Pork Belly, Tomate Naan and Masala Fries. We waited around 10-15 minutes and all dishes came out at the same time. My first impression was that the dishes were a little on the small size, even for tapas. I looked up at my 6 ft 6 chap and thought, he’s going to be starving after this! I was wrong – the dishes are very filling. I struggled in the end to finish the last of the naan but my god, was the food delicious. Like fireworks going off in my mouth. Rich and punchy flavours and waves of spice, and everything just worked so well together.
The lamb ribs were my favourite, garnished with tangy tamarind chutney and the meat was so succulent it just melted in the mouth.Masala fries were crunchy and full of spice. The lemon rice was a refreshing partner to all the spices kicking off in my mouth and the pork belly was also sensational. The chicken espetada was very nice but would have preferred to have two portions instead of just one for £5.25. Now we all have different appetites, some bigger than others so of course, the portion sizes are not going to work well with everyone and especially big groups. As a couple, we didn’t experience this but I can see some diners raising this as an issue as they may not want to spend more money on buying more small dishes. I would suggest around five dishes each, we went for less and it worked but for those who are feeling very hungry, I would recommend five.
The bill came to £41, £20.50 each for dinner is not bad, actually it’s very good! Usually, for tapas I pay around £40-£50 for less than satisfying food so really, Estado Da India was an absolute bargain. Estado Da India ticked all the boxes for me, so much variety on offer here that of course, we will have to go back for a second visit. Many will be spoilt for choice and there were plenty of vegetarian and vegan options which was great to see! When eating out I want a menu to enrapture me and Estado Da India’s menu certainly did that. It’s worth the journey from Sutton Coldfield and it’s worth many more journeys. Estado Da India delivers on so many levels and is one restaurant that should be on everyone’s list to try out this Summer.
Rosa’s Thai Cafe is yet another London restaurant crossing over to the North and opening in Birmingham, we are the second city after all and causing quite a stir on the culinary scene. Rosa’s was founded by Chef Saiphin and serves up ‘award-winning authentic Thai food that is bold on flavour’. I adore Thai cuisine so of course, I was very excited to try this out.
Please note that this experience was gifted, and this is my honest opinion.
Located in the heart of the new Paradise Circus, this is the first Rosa’s Cafe to open in the Midlands. First impressions were at odds with every other Thai restaurant I’ve been too. The decor was understated, the atmosphere pretty vacant – but then again it was a Tuesday night in the cafe’s second week of opening.
My sister and I decided to order several starter plates: crispy prawns, summer rolls, honey-marinated pork skewers, sweetcorn cakes and the obligatory prawn crackers. The portion sizes were decent, the colours were vibrant, and everything looked appealing to the eye. Lets start with what we did like: the crispy prawns were fresh and fragrant and the sweet chilli dip provided a welcome zing. The honey-marinated pork skewers were tender and juicy – a plate I would definitely recommend. Unfortunately, the rest of the dishes were disappointing. There was way too much sweetcorn than cake in the patties and virtually no seasoning. Now I know summer rolls are supposed to be served cold but are summer rolls supposed to give you brain freeze? Biting into one of these was like biting into a choc ice that’s been sitting in your mum’s freezer since 2005. Refreshing maybe but again, bland as fuck.
Luckily the mains were a bigger hit. I ordered the stir-fried beef with black pepper sauce and sticky rice. The beef was full of flavour albeit it a little on the chewy side and the sauce was just glorious drizzled over the sticky rice and scooped up with a prawn cracker. My sister ordered the fried aubergine and confirmed it was sweet, salty and moreish. It was probably the most authentic dish we picked.
The staff were very friendly and attentive, our server was fantastic and I couldn’t help but feel bad when he asked us about the half-eaten plates on our table. Admittedly my sister and I messed up by ordering mostly deep-fried dishes to start. By the time the mains came we were rubbing our tummies and exhaling like labouring women.
Unfortunately for me, Rosa’s Thai Cafe was disappointing. I felt it was lacking the flavours and spice Thai food is famous for. Where was the spice?! I felt I could have gone to another chain such as Sabai Sabai and experienced bolder flavours. After visiting Thailand and tasting authentic Thai cuisine I don’t think Rosa’s comes close. For a quick working lunch maybe – as I said, the service was excellent – but for an evening meal with friends or family it’s a strong no. I understand there can be teething problems in the first couple of weeks so I might try it later in the year, but I’m definitely not in a rush.
I’ll be honest I wanted to love it. It’s in a great spot and the cafe itself is light, breezy and welcoming. But the absence of flavour in its dishes means that Rosa’s might well be overshadowed by others in the city centre who deliver a more authentic Thai experience
Say HOLA! to real Authentic Mexican cuisine courtesy of Good Food Cartell right here in the Midlands. Serving Mexican food that is full of flavour, made with the freshest ingredients out of a truck at The Hearsall Inn Pub in Coventry on Craven Street. The Owner Michael invited me down to try out some of the food and was served a warning to ” not eat too much on the day” and boy was he right, an absolute fiesta de agrietamiento was waiting for us!
Now when it comes to Mexican food I have to admit, I am not the biggest fan but that’s because I have always been let down when I have had Mexican food. It’s always been a solid “No” or “It’s just okay” it has never had my full attention and the only time it has was when I was in San Diego in 2010 in the Mexican village. Nothing has come close until I tried Good Food Cartel which exceeded my expectations and has certainly got me excited again for Mexican cuisine.
The first dish was the tacos 3 for £9 or 6 for £16, bursting with colour complete with appealing garnishes and a mouth-watering aroma’s. Full of tangy sauces, shots of spice and fresh ingredients packed into a soft blue corn tortilla that is gluten-free. Fillings included chicken, cow, pig, jackfruit and cactus? Yes, cactus, and believe it or not this was my favourite filling as a non-vegetarian I preferred this to the meats. It does have a unique taste to it but I found it went beautifully with the garnishes and tangy sauces.
The second dish was the Elote £3.00 which is cooked corn on the cob covered with lime juice, cheese, honey mustard mayo and chilli mix. Tangy, Sweet, and FUCK (Yes I am going to swear in this review) it was unbelievable. I believe this is Good Food Cartel’s secret weapon because on the outside it just looks like fancy corn on the cob but the inside…Wow, its MIND-BLOWING. I don’t blame you for reading this review and thinking Amy mate, it’s corn on the cob? But honestly guy’s, this little guy blows my mind. The flavours are incredible and weirdly enough, it has that sweet taste which to me, oddly reminds me of ice cream. The third dish was the Cow Burrito-Beef brisket £8.00 with guacamole and Pico de gallo. Beautiful and full of flavour, and not messy! I can’t stand a messy burrito where it all falls out the bottom or goes soggy. Very filling but not too much, just right.
The fourth dish was the Quesadilla’s £7.00, fillings included Cow, Pig, Chicken, Jackfruit or cactus. Toasted beautifully with plenty of cheese, full of flavour and was just another mouth-watering dish that took my breath away. My favourite topping I would have to say is the Al Pastor pork shoulder that just worked beautifully with the chipotle sauce dipped into the guacamole and sour cream.
The fifth dish was Nachos £4.50, Full of layers Babs, plenty of corn Tortilla chips that pack an epic crunch combined with fresh guacamole, salsa, and sour cream smothered in melted cheese. Fantástica! All washed down with BOING Guava Juice which is a natural fruit beverage made from Guava that was refreshing and a great cleanser after such a massive feast.
This was the first Mexican meal that I have had in years where I have not felt disappointed. Good Food Cartel serves up incredible food that is bursting with flavour, made with the freshest ingredients and isn’t charging silly money such as £15 for a Burrito. Great value for money and the portions are very generous for how much you are paying, the set of 6 tacos for £16 is superb! Shared between two we felt satisfied and there was still four more dishes to go!
Michael is fantastic, full of knowledge and LOLS, he entertained us through out our feast. He really looked after us and it was very interesting to hear his story of starting up Good Food Cartel at the start of lockdown.
FINALLY, I have discovered real Authentic Mexican food that I love. The only problem is that I love it so much that I am having GFC blues! I really do hope to see them over in Birmingham this year but if not, It is definitely worth the trip down to Coventry. Thank you so much for inviting me down and congratulations to Good Food Cartel for creating something very special in lockdown for people to enjoy and making me finally fall in love with Mexican food.
You will find Good Food Cartel at The Hearsall Inn on Craven Street in Coventry. They will now be offering table service from Monday to Sunday and you will need to book your tables here at bookings@hearsallinn.com Please show your support and give Good Food Cartel a follow on socials
Well, it looks like we don’t have to travel far to get into the festive spirit this Christmas with the newest addition to Sutton Coldfield, introducing Silver Tree Bakery. Now, you may recognise the name as throughout lockdown I was none stop ordering from them, from essential groceries to the lockdown treats such as cream tea, Silver Tree was an absolute lifesaver not just for me but for many who live in Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas.
Located in the heart of Sutton Coldfield, Silver Tree is a catering company, catering for events and weddings throughout Birmingham, they then turned to local heroes delivering essential groceries and treats to people in lockdown and now they have become shop owners. I was delighted for them when they announced they will be opening up a Bakery in Sutton Coldfield, and now seeing the Bakery open during the pandemic, seeing people enjoying themselves and the business thriving already, I am over the moon for them.
Located on Water Orton Lane in Minworth you will find this quirky, Scandinavian style wooden chalet accompanied with fire pit, picnic benches, and faux fur throws. A little bit of Lapland in Sutton Coldfield, We didn’t ask for it but now realised how so badly we needed this especially this time of year with the pandemic, there was not one miserable pout insight!
There is a queuing system and of course, social distancing rules put in place, as you enter the bakery there is more seating however due to Tier 3 restrictions, the seating can not be used. You can grab breakfast sarnies, cakes, bakes coffee and more, and toast your tootsies too on the fire whilst munching away on some awesome food, It’s absolutely delightful. There is also the option for click & collect on their website here where you can also order hampers and desserts such as lemon drizzle cake and Bakewell tarts.
Hot drinks are also on offer at the bakery, I opted for a cappuccino and it was a beauty alright, I spotted a few fancy hot chocolates some of the kids were tucking into however I thought scrapping with a six-year-old is not how I would like to end my year, plus, the six-year-old was way taller than me, I didn’t have a chance.
The cakes and bakes are amazing, especially the cinnamon bun, crikey, I could kick myself just for picking up one! Before I even made it into the bakery, a man stepped out and announced to the queue “The sausage rolls are the best around” so of course, I ordered two and I can confirm, That they are indeed, the best sausage rolls around…boar off Greggs.
The staff are so lovely here, I had the pleasure of meeting some of them in lockdown and it was great to meet them again and hear they are doing so well already. Smiles all around, and you can tell they are proud of their bakery, I would be to, it’s wonderful and the positivity of the staff here just make it even more wonderful.
Not just for kids, but for the whole family, Silver Tree Bakery is a must-visit for all. It was lovely to see people come together (social distance of course) enjoy good food, have a coffee and just to feel a bit of normality! The Bakery is perfect, put together so well and is just so festive, it’s impossible to not get into the Christmas spirit here. Congratulations to you all and I wish you the very best with the Bakery, I am sure it will thrive here in Sutton Coldfield.
Open from Wednesday to Sunday Wed-Fri: 8AM to 6PM Saturday: 8am to 4PM Sunday: 9AM TO 2PM
Introducing a vibrant new independent to Birmingham located in the Great Western Arcade you’ll find The Pineapple Club, A new bar that is currently slaying the Birmingham bar scene. Neon lights, pink interior, art deco furniture and the Basic Bitch photo opportunities to be had here, The Pineapple Club is bringing the EXTRA that Birmingham so badly needs!
Opened in September, bookings are filling up quite fast so I managed to book in for early October on a Friday from 5.30 pm to 7 pm for drinks and food. Arriving at The Pineapple Club you enter into the shop where they sell a variety of wines and cheeky alcohol beverages, looking a little bare yes, but its quality over quantity here Bab and there is quite the impressive selection of booze on offer. Walking up the stairs you are hit with botanical and pink neon scenes that is sure to make you eye lit up!
Straight away, this place oozes sexiness and style, So stylish with the 1920s interior with art deco styled furniture throwing in a bit of futuristic neon creating those Instagram photo shoots opportunities. We all are a sucker for a little of neon and pink so straight away my eyes lit up to this and got me quite excited!
Sitting down at our table we took a look at the drinks menu which is very impressive, you got your basic bitch cocktails like Pornstar Martini but then you got your fancy and creative cocktails such as candy club punch and Kawaii Milk. If you don’t fancy a cocktail you can always opt for Wine and beer. They also provide non-alcohol cocktails and soft drinks for those who fancy a quiet one or don’t drink alcohol. In regards to the food menu, they do a good selection of Spanish tapas inspired small plates from meat dishes such as chorizo to vegetarian dishes such as Colombian Arepas with guacamole. We did worry a bit with the amount of food we were going to order as the table was quite small so we did ask if we could change tables however this was not allowed as all tables were booked up.
For the drinks, I ordered a Candy club Punch, Beefeater pink gin, fruit wine, cranberry and vintage candy cordial, so fruity, so sweet and so satisfying. Very easy to drink too however could be going down the dangerous route as I was drinking it like fruit juice! For food, we ordered Gambas al Ajillo (prawns), chorizo, chicken skewers, Colombian Arepas with guacamole and the cheese board for two. The lady who served us was very informative, one of my friends only eats Halal meat so she was very helpful in advising which dishes would be best to eat such as vegetarian dishes.
The food came within 15 minutes, and it was quite the squeeze fitting it on the table however we managed it. The chorizo dish was beautiful but it never came with sliced bread in what the menu said (however we did ask for this and it came straight away, no problem)The prawns were cooked to perfection, couldn’t fault them and full of flavor. Colombian Arepas was surprisingly delicious (it was the least dish I was looking forward to) and the portion was pretty generous!
Unfortunately, the cheeseboard was a little bit disappointing in regards to size and variety, I expected more cheese’s and more meats HOWEVER what was there was delicious, just could do with a bit more variety. The cheeseboard also came with pickles and breadsticks, there was nothing to dip the breadsticks in so to me, it was quite random, it would have been better to have a dip (aioli) or freshly baked bread to put the cheese and meats on top. Early days of course for Pineapple Club but maybe these things can be considered.
The meal came to £60 between three £20 each, which I was very happy to pay and really enjoyed the meal. If you’re looking to improve your Instagram game and chill out with a couple of cocktails and eat some good food hit this place up! It is really thriving and quite busy in there, but no wonder, they got it right, Brum needed something like this. We need more neon, botanical, fancy pink interior and basic bitch vibes because let’s face it, we all have a basic bitch in us and we bloody love it!
There is no doubt in my mind that The Pineapple Club will continue to succeed and become a much loved independent in Birmingham by Brummies and travellers to our City. Thank you to The Pineapple Club for having us and Welcome to Brum Babs!
Disgustingly satisfying burgers, over the top fancy cocktails, and a bathtub full of balls? Welcome to the NO BASIC BITCHES ALLOWED Club. You can’t miss the neon signs, the pinkness, and the jaw-dropping cocktails, this isn’t no basic bitch restaurant Bab! Located in Leamington Spa and tucked away on Augusta Pl (just look for a pink sign) step on through to the world of FEMME celebrating the power of FEMALE! This restaurant just screams girl power and is a must-visit for us girls to meet up, have a bitch, with a couple of prosecco’s in hand or by the end of it…all down us!
From mountain high Mummy Harts roasts to colourful brunches where you can pimp your burger or eat a stack of rainbow pancakes, Hart + Co means business when it comes to having fun and eating good food. On Saturday, my Cousin and I decided to try out the bottomless brunch for £30-£35. We were running a little bit late due to the changes of train timetables, when we informed Hart that we were going to be late they were very accommodating and told us not to worry, our table will still be there waiting for us.
Arriving at Hart & Co, they took our names and walked us over to our table which was under a beautiful pastel display of balloons. The tables were spaced out and social distancing was taking place so straight away I felt very safe in there. We were then approached by our server who asked us what drinks we would be going for, we opted for the beer bottomless brunch as the last time I had prosecco it was a complete and utter disaster…I lost my trousers…like seriously.
Our server then went through the house rules “Don’t fall asleep” “Keep your glasses topped up” very tongue and cheek, and straight away creating that fun experience! We were advised it was table service only, ordering food is done via Instagram. The brunch menu was to be found on Hart & Co’s Instagram story displaying the options for brunch where you could choose from waffles, pancakes, burgers, etc. Ordering your food, you would need to confirm the table number and your order via Instagram message to Hart & Co, very different but also something that maybe the older generation may not like due to not having social media however I am sure Hart & Co would take the order there and then.
The beer was served straight away after house rules were explained and they were HEAVY! I do love a good pint of beer, but this was like two pints in one! Very generous and very satisfying, ice-cold just the way I like it!
Looking around, every table was full of girls, it made me realize how bloody loud us girls are! Sometimes It was hard to hear but when you are in a room with girls and unlimited prosecco, what do you expect?! The layout of the restaurant is very FEMME, Walls covered in Pink, some feminism artwork scattered around that tied in really well with the restaurant, and fun props such as a bathtub full of balls which is set up at the front of the restaurant where groups are invited to take photos accompanied with a selfie light however Due to CO-VID this was sectioned off but still plenty of photo opportunities to have here!
When it came to ordering, I went for the cheeky Hog burger, a beef patty with lots of cheese, chorizo, bacon, crispy onions and topped with brioche. My cousin went for the Cheesy chap which is a beefy patty smothered in all kinds of cheese! Within 20 minutes of ordering the food arrived and…Dayum.
I swear to you, this is a burger alright! It was monstrous! Swamped in chorizo, cheese, onions, and just pure delicious FILTH! Of course, I could not finish it with a side of “basic bitch” fries but it was pretty fun to tuck into especially been given some gloves to try and hack the mess of eating it. The beef was cooked perfectly and what an experience to trying stuff all that in my gob!
Soon as the food arrived, we were asked if we wanted another beer, so they do keep you topped up quite well here and the staff are bloody lovely.! Filling up quite quickly with the massive portions and unlimited beer, this is one brunch where you won’t be leave starving and running to McDonald’s.
I will say it was very HEAVY, very heavy, an overload of carbs and meat and within five minutes I was stuffed. Dining at Hart & Co was so much fun, the brunch is pretty impressive, fun, creative, and massive portions with a quirky twist, I will be honest it’s not my favourite brunch I have ever had but it was definitely an experience and it tasted delicious! We had a lot of fun here and that’s what Hart & Co is about, having fun and eating good HEARTY food.
The cocktails are next level, cocktail in a chinse takeaway box? out of a Russian doll? They certainly do pull the phones out of your pockets!
Many may look at Hart & Co as just another Instagram restaurant to lure these IG kids in to take photos all day, yes everywhere you look is an Instagram worthy post but What I love about Hart + Co is that they are creative and fun with food, they dare to be different, I mean, Who thinks of a spaghetti Bolognese burger?! Only Hart & Co…
They care about their guests, and they want us to have fun whilst tucking into some seriously amazing food and sassy cocktais! An experience that all must experience visiting Leamington Spa, and an independent that is bound to be loved by all for being so EXTRA and fabulous!
Hart and Co are offering their bottomless brunches every weekend, please head on over to their social media page here to book. If you fancy a fun afternoon out with the girls with lots of bubbles, sterling food, and smiles for hours, then make sure you book in with Hart + Co, you won’t be disappointed…Okurrr!
WARNING: Some Seriously New High Fashion Food Coming Your Way This Summer/Autumn.
Introducing Pinch of Masala -POM- A family-run catering company in Smethwick who cater for weddings and events but unfortunately was hit hard by the pandemic, looking for ways to get business back on track they decided to offer a new takeaway service across Birmingham. This is one takeaway service that stand’s out from the rest, I can assure you. I was gifted a free meal of my choice in exchange for my views. I posted quite a few photos on Instagram and you were all gagging for a full review so here it is, expect nothing less than 5-star service and food from Pinch of Masala.
Pinch Of Masala have a website where you can order your food [here]once accessing the website you’ll realise straight away that this is not your typical Indian takeaway! Full of colour and beautiful photography, A website that is very easy to navigate around and what I love about the ordering process is that POM provides photos of all the food on the menu so you know what to expect. You can book delivery on the day or in the next couple of days which is fantastic if you are having a little gathering and inviting your friends round!
With such a large selection of meat, vegetable, and vegan dishes I did just want to order the whole menu! A Fantastic menu for all and also for vegetarians and vegans, loads to choose from! Also people with allergies there is an allergy guide on the website telling you about all the dishes and what they contain, which will come in very useful. They also have set menus, and offer dessert and BEER!
MY ORDER
Starter: Masala Fried Prawns Jackin’panko wings
Main (Feeds up to two): Palak Gosht (Lamb and Spinach) Butter Chicken
I was going to be sharing between three people so I thought this was plenty! I chose a 7 pm time slot and my food arrived at 7pm in which, from all the way from Smethwick to Sutton Coldfield was very impressive. I met the owner Dinesh who was so friendly and passionate about his business, full of positively and was just so lovely to meet. What caught my eye straight away was the most fashionable takeaway bag I had ever seen! compared to a Selfridges kind of style (but way better) I knew straight away that POM are not playing when it comes to standing out. Another impressive point was that the food came in containers that are made from plant fibre and recycling plastic! great for those who want to look after their environment and it just makes the food look a lot more appealing using these containers instead of those hideous plastic 20P boxes.
I have to say, from coming all the way from Smethwick to Sutton Coldfield and opening the lid of the food seeing the heat rise made me gasp, I just didn’t think it would be hot and ready to be served so it was such a surprise, it was like taking it out of the oven there and then. Straight away this takeaway was screaming high quality to me, The packaging, the food, this takeaway is definitely different to my down the road Indian takeaway I usually go for.
The masala fried prawns tasted perfect and very similar to Dishooms Prawn Koliwada dish, they may look small but these guys pack a powerful punch of spice however combined with my mint yoghurt dip I tamed them down a bit! Prawns were cooked very well and also went well with the little salad garnish. Onto the Jackfruit wings, a favourite for vegans! one portion gives you 5 pieces in which they are quite big and my god, tasted lovely! There’s also a little surprise in the middle [Wink Wink]
The butter chicken with the pilau rice, a little bit on the sweet side but I like sweet and it tasted so bloody good! Chicken cooked to perfection, and sauce for days! Such a tasty dish that even when finished we were all craving more!
Now I don’t usually go for lamb curries because every time I’ve have done the lamb has just been way too tough to eat so I thought I would put POM to the test and oh my, they passed with flying colours alright! Lamb was perfect, couldn’t fault it at all, every piece (I was hogging on to it…) was nice and tender. Accompanied by the mixed vegetable pilau rice this was defiantly my favourite dish! The portions of the curries were perfect and very generous, shared between three there was still a bit of curry left for even a fourth person!
The Chili Cheese Naan was BANGING! full of chilli and all the cheesy cheese you need for those sweet dreams….or nightmares. Accompanied by the garnish tub and a bit of mint yoghurt, pure joy!
The poppadoms came with a variety of sauces such as mint sauce and mango chutney, A must of course with any curry! We ordered one portion which is two poppadoms in eight pieces and that was also the perfect amount for sharing.
In conclusion, This has been one of the best takeaways this year, definitely the best Indian takeaway I have had and definitely the most stylish takeaway! Very generous portions of food that is packed full of flavour that is cooked to perfection. POM has a wide variety on offer that will tempt you to challenge yourself and try something new, and yes, it’s absolutely worth it! If you fancy something a bit different to your basic chicken tikka masala and garlic Naan then I would definitely recommend to push the boat out with POM, A fantastic new takeaway service that will no doubt in my mind will go far in Birmingham and beyond.
Delivery is Thursday to Sunday from 5pm to 10pm you can opt for delivery or pick up, they also are available on the Deliveroo app. There is a postcode checker for delivery that you can check to see if they deliver to you and also displays the fee, POM would like to mention if you live too far then you can also give them a call and they can see what they can do.
Gooey Naans, Seductive killer prawns that pack a punch and Harry Potter Butter Beer? Yes, believe it or not, I am talking about the eagerly anticipated opening of Dishoom in Birmingham.
The last two months social media has been dominated by Tiger King/Normal People memes, the cat with nine lives we call Aston Villa, and of course, The Kardashians, one lost their marbles, one faked her millions and one that just needs to be bloody single for Christ sakes. Ergh what a headache right? However, one thing that has been dominating our feeds and is “headache-free” is the exciting announcement of Dishoom opening in Birmingham on Chamberlain Square. In which, is now open operating their soft launch with 50% off food until their official opening date on 6th August 2020 was just the welcoming addition to the city that so many of us Brummies need after the last few months.
With branches operating over London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, it was only a matter of time Dishoom was going to make the wise choice of opening their next restaurant in the second biggest City Birmingham. I have heard so much about Dishroom, I have never dined there before so I was really looking forward to my first experience dining with them. I had a brief look at the menu before me and my cousin Jess went for our 5.15 pm sitting but even then, I couldn’t decide with the generous offering of food on offer.
We arrived on time and already it was quite busy, we sat in the bar area for two minutes just skimming through the menu and then we was taken over to our table. The tables are nicely spread out, the layout of the restaurant is big, spacious with indoor and outdoor seating. I was feeling quite chilly that evening so thank goodness we were sat inside. The staff wore face masks, there was hand sanitiser stations and everyone was keeping to the social distancing rules, so I felt 100% safe dining here.
The interior of Dishoom has really been thought out through out the whole of the restaurant, bringing Bombay to Birmingham (Wish I could of get more pictures, but it was so busy!) and very cleverly has its own story of Roda Irani finding her voice and incorporating that story into the design of the restaurant which is so creative and wonderful to dine in and feels like you are reliving the story. It’s classy and it’s 1930s Bombay Bab.
Within 5 minutes of sitting down, we were greeted by our server Diogo ready to take our drink orders. Diogo is absolutely fabulous, a right character that knew his stuff, he was like a walking and talking encyclopedia of Dishoom, he knew everything. Feeling quite parched I fancied an alcohol beverage, I was thinking more on the lines of a fruity cocktail but then the words “Forget beer, drink only this” caught my eyes. What came was what I can almost describe as one of those Harry Potter butter beers but tasted so much better and tasted like…well, beer. Hoppy butter paanch is a Foam beer with a butter syrup base with a sprinkle of ginger that gave it a tangy sweet kick, different but I really liked it! Jess ordered the Colaba Colada cocktail, however, Diogo came back over to tell Jess they just sold out, he asked her what does she like to drink “gin” “something sweet” she replied and with a click of his fingers “I know exactly what to get you” Diogo went away and came back with a fabulous gin cocktail with a hint of lime, fizz, and fruit that she really enjoyed.
Diogo returned to take our food orders, he talked us through the menu and suggested the number of dishes to order, he also made the best decision for us to opt for a cheese AND garlic naan instead of ordering cheese and garlic naan separately, excellent choice Diogo!
The afternoon menu has a variety of small plates, grills and curries on offer for you to share or not share! There is so much on offer that we defiantly didn’t order everything we wanted especially missing out on the exclusive Birmingham dish, the mutton korma but there is always next time right?!
We first ordered small plates of Lamb samosas and prawn koliwada that came literally in five minutes. We were told that the food in different sections may come out at different times, we didn’t really care as long as there was food! The lamb samosas were a nice light dish and tasted beautiful, as for the prawn koliwada, my goodness! these babies blew our heads off! Small and delicious but don’t be deceived these prawns pack an almighty punch, accompanied with a mint chutney dip to cool down the fire in my mouth. A little bit on the spicy side for me but tasted very nice. Both of these dishes are the perfect beer snack so make sure you order a few of Dishooms IPAS.
Now, in comes the feast! We opted for chicken ruby murray curry, paneer pineapple tikka, gunpowder potatoes, 2 x cheese and garlic naans, steamed basmati rice and the Vada Pau (Bombay’s version of London’s chip butty)
The colour, the smell, and the saliva dripping from our mouths everything just looked incredible. My favourite dish out of the food would have to be the Chicken ruby murray curry paired up with basmati rice which was an absolute winner. Silky texture, sweet, and chicken that is cooked to perfection and easily just melts in the mouth. The gunpowder potatoes tossed in butter, crushed aromatic seeds, and green herbs tasted nice, nothing to get overly excited about however, a nice accompany dish to the paneer pineapple tikka that I really enjoyed. The Paneer cheese had a gorgeous mouth-watering coating of tikka paired up with pineapple which left a cool refreshing taste in my mouth which helped to knock down some of those spices.The Vada Pau (Bombay’s version of London’s chip butty) I wasn’t a big fan off sadly, a little bit too spicy for me so all I could taste was fire in my mouth.
The naans were of course, bloody sensational. So gooey, and I am all for the cheese! it was just dripping and oh my god, I have literally just had to wipe the saliva off the keyboard thinking about this so let’s just end it here as it was pretty sexy… (apologies for the saliva on keyboard images)
The review doesn’t end here, oh no, we went for pudding Ladies and Gents, and we went for the Dishoom chocolate pudding with chili ice cream. All I got from this pudding was PURE JOY, melted chocolate mixed in with a vanilla/chili ice cream is the pairing that I need in my life, a sensational dish. Finishing off with a nice cup of Assam, the food must have knocked me out a bit because instead of asking for Assam tea I asked for “Sam” in which Diego was quite amused, Bill, please!
So, the bill came to £63.41 with the 50% off that included an optional service fee of £10.61 that we were more than happy to pay and more. For all that food and the quality, it felt like we had won the lottery with Dishoom.
The customer service is something I will always remember at Dishoom, from the host on the door to our amazing server Diogo, it was such a pleasure to dine in Dishoom as they are so attentive, and it almost makes you feel like you are the only ones dining in the restaurant. Of course, we weren’t it was completely packed out. To deliver 110% service on a packed-out Thursday with every table full and a queue outside the restaurant is absolutely fantastic and I applaud Dishoom and especially their hardworking staff.
A very happy welcome to Dishoom, a restaurant that will settle in just fine and will be celebrated by Brummies and all for a very long and foreseeable future here in Birmingham. The taste of Bombay in Birmingham is the light at the end of the tunnel that we need after the last worrying months. Thank you for the fantastic dining experience Dishoom and you will, of course, see me very soon….How does Breakfast Monday morning sound?
I would advise pre-booking your table as it’s pretty busy, you can just turn up but expect to wait! Soft launch (50% off) ends 5th August 2020 Vegetarian/Vegan friendly You can book your table here
Espresso rubbed beef brisket baps, lemon curd tarts with syringes, and cold soup?! Well, this is certainly not your basic bitch afternoon tea …
The Early Bird Bakery has whipped up an afternoon tea for us to all enjoy in the comfort of our homes. If you’re not familiar with The Early Bird they are a coffee shop and bakery that serve up creative and delicious bakes plus sensational brunch options in Kings Heath, They are pretty much bakery Gods! I live in Sutton Coldfield so when my sister invited me to hers to enjoy an Early Bird Bakery Afternoon tea my first thought was “Why is she being nice to me?” and then “Who cares? ITS FREE!!!!! YES I’M IN!”
Delivered on time and all boxed up, the afternoon tea comes with a little information booklet listing everything that you get in your afternoon tea, and how to serve, very useful and very considerate.
The Sweets you simply serve, the tea you simply pop into a teapot and the savory, well, this is where it gets a bit faffy (Yes, I just made that word up) I don’t know if this is just me but with an afternoon tea, I had it in my head to just take out of the box and pop on a tea stand to serve but not quite as simple as that. The espresso brisket and belinni you have to construct it together yourself. The kitchen was crammed with all sized cardboard boxes and pots full of ingredients so It was a bit of a faff especially when we weren’t expecting but hey ho, you get on with it. I must say everything was so fresh, the quality is outstanding and when you put it all togeather it looks great, just full of colour!
The Early Bird Bakery Afternoon Tea Includes:
Savory Spicy Tomato Gazpacho Fennel and apple sausage roll DIY espresso rubbed slow-cooked beef brisket, BBQ Sauce, slaw and brioche bun Cured salmon blini, pickles, creme fraiche, and watercress Curried cauliflower, chickpea, lentil, lime yogurt, pomegranate, raisin, and coriander salad
Cream Tea buttermilk scone x2 Currant bun x2 Strawberry, raspberry and orange jam Passion fruit and lime curd Clotted cream Morgans tea
Sweet Raspberry, white chocolate and rose macaron Lemon and early grey drizzle cake chocolate and coffee ganache cake Gin and tonic choux bun
So when you look at the amount and the sort of ingredients that have been used you would think okay, this is going to be one pricey afternoon tea but much to my surprise this has been one of the cheapest afternoons teas I have ever had, priced at just £17 per person. A small price for such an over-generous spread however comes with a few tiny issues…
The spicy tomato gazpacho tasted nice but I wouldn’t serve up as a starter before an afternoon tea. I felt it didn’t really tye in well with the rest of the spread and there is a lot going on already in the afternoon tea so I just found it to be a bit unnecessary really. The curried cauliflower salad was very refreshing however again, it didn’t tie in well with the afternoon tea. You got sandwiches, cakes, basically finger food so to throw in a salad, I didn’t quite get it however it did taste good, personally, I would have preferred a sandwich/savoury pastry instead. The lemon and drizzle cake looked lovely but biting into it I think the guys at The Early Bird Bakery when a little bit too heavy on the tea! it was quite cold, had a strong overwhelming aroma of earl grey and was soggy. A little bit of criticism but it certainly didn’t ruin the rest of the afternoon tea which was fantastic.
The espresso brisket was just pure sexiness, yes I am going to add sexiness into this review, okay! The bun was soft, the brisket was packed full of flavour and was an unusual yet satisfying touch to the afternoon tea. The sausage roll?? not your basic bitch roll we are talking about here Bab! Fennel and apple tasted gorgeous together wrapped up in flakey pastry, small yet filling and you won’t find that in your local Greggs. The blini was light yet gave a naughty little kick of flavour with the pickles, salmon and creme fraiche.
The cakes are absolutely sensational. Top-quality, the variety was all there and it wasn’t dull! it was actually enjoyable to eat, it was lovely to look at and absolutely devour! My favourite sweet would be the chocolate and coffee ganache cake. Chocolate and coffee, two powerful forces, you team those up you have yourself FOODGASMS all over the world so yeah, it tasted pretty incredible! The currant buns had a beautiful glaze that tasted wonderful warmed up with a spread of butter. The buttermilk scones tasted gorgeous especially with the orange jam, just wow! Quite different to your basic scone you would find for 35p in your local Asda but you should know that The Early Bird Bakery don’t do basic here.
Okay, so there were a few little hiccups but did it ruin my whole experience? absolutely not. There were more positives than negatives and when you think about what you get for £17, its a fantastic afternoon tea. The amount, the variety, and the quality are all there, quite surprising really for a very reasonable price tag! It was exciting to eat and it was appealing to see, and it was enjoyable to experience with the whole family in my sisters home. Maybe go down the less faff route and add in some more buns for me eh? but Fair play to the bakery for daring to be different and not going down the easy route (meaning finger sandwiches, they always look so sad…) It dares to be different, and I believe its a worthy afternoon tea for all to enjoy, not perfect but will get there I’m sure.
Thank you Early Bird Bakery
Early Bird is currently running a delivery service of their cakes and coffee to your doors, you can check out their website and orderhere. They are also now open for takeaway on Friday 11-2, and Saturday & Sunday from 10-2.
So, for the past three months, I have been quite a busy girl supporting my independents and helping those who are isolating with putting together information on how they can get in their weekly shop, keep active, and seek free advice. So many Fantastic businesses agreed to be part of The North of Birmingham blog post and it has received a pretty amazing and overwhelming response by so many people. I can see so many of you using the blog daily and it is fantastic to hear that so many of you have said the blog has opened up their eyes to wanting to shop more independently which was the aim!
I regularly post about my food deliveries via social media and a lot of you have been wanting to know what independents I would recommend and what are my favourites. So, I thought why not put together a blog post of all my favourite independent food deliveries I have had in lockdown. I regularly review restaurants, venues, etc so why not start something new and review at home?! From scrumptious cakes to fantastic DIY food kits, it seems Bab about Towns blog has been burning a hole in your pockets for the last three months and apologies, the hole is just going to get bigger after reading this post!
SILVER TREE CATERING
Silver Tree Catering is a catering company based in Sutton Coldfield, who decided to deliver essentials such as fruit & veg hampers and treats to those in isolation. They have a variety of hampers on offer from Breakfast to Cheese hampers. My first purchase with Silver Tree Catering was the cheese hamper and the fruit & veg box. I ordered before 12 pm and it came the next day. The fruit & veg hamper offered a great variety of fresh produce, very impressed with the quality and the hamper lasted for around three weeks. The cheese hamper was just amazing, a great selection of cheeses with crackers and pots of chutney with grapes. It was nice sitting out in the garden tucking into it, it was like we were transported to a wine yard in Italy until I heard one of the neighbor’s shouting in a Brummie accent “Are you making a Brew Bab?”
I have ordered from Silver tree a couple of times (I regularly buy the freshly baked bread, and the cream tea was delightful!) and will continue to do so because they are so professional and the food is high quality, just fantastic value for money. I can tell there is a lot of passion and heart that’s gone into their products, so I am happy to support a hardworking business that deserves all the gratitude that they deserve any day
In the words of King Curtis “Chicken Nuggets is like my family” but more so “What the Cluck is like my family” This right here, is the breadwinner, my absolute favourite takeaway I have ever had and boy, I’ve had a bloody lot in my time, These guys smashed it. I ordered the chicken strips platter which comes with fried cauliflower covered in Buffalo sauce, BBQ pit beans, house slaw, and the sexiest Mac N Cheese I have ever tasted jeeeeez getting me all hot & bothered over here woo! What The Cluck didn’t just impress me but impressed my fussy bugga of a Mom who now withdraws her statement that “The Bingo is the best place for Fried Chicken” now Its “What The Cluck is the best place for fried chicken” so we have an all-round winner!
The process is very simple, simply order via their website, choose what platter you want, What The Cluck will then send you a confirmation email with the date and time of delivery. When the food arrives its just a 20-minute oven job and that’s it. Super easy to make, super service & super satisfied, bloody well-done Guys that’s how you deliver a bad boy feast!!!
Fancy getting your freak on? Well, now you can at home with these fine buns! When The Patty Freaks announced they were delivering to Sutton Coldfield it caused an outcry of cheers and relief after the devastation of losing our beloved M&S for good and the closure of TGIS [Insert troll face] due to Co-Vid. as a town we needed a pick me up and wow, did the Patty Freaks deliver! Full of juice, dripping with flavour and topped with sexy buns, and gone within 10 minutes. The loaded chips are heavenly, just oozing with sauce. Oh yes, The patty Freaks delivered alright, and may I mention they delivered HOT and ON TIME food, I was given a time slot between 4.30 and 5.20 and it came dead on 4.30 so fantastic service and what a bloody treat this was! I ordered the following:
The O.G burger: Bacon, cheese, ketchup, mustard mayo and pickled onion.
Cajun chips Loaded chips with bacon, cheese, crispy onion, and BBQ sauce.
You will need to keep up with them via social media to find out when they are next delivering and a little advice, be quick! these bad boys are like Willy Wonka golden tickets so don’t be a bad egg and feel too disappointed if you miss out because they are also popping up now and again at Digbeth Dining Club!
Stay up to date with The Patty Freaks and Order here
STRIPCLUB STREET FOOD
This kit comes with a parental warning as these buns are well naaaaaughty! Stripclub Streetfood is a very popular vendor at various food markets over the Midlands especially at Digbeth Dining Club, you will often have to queue but that first bite though is worth a thousand queue waits, trust me. So when Stripclub Streetfood announced they were back on selling burgers the whole of Birmingham kind of just lost their minds a bit…
Okay so it’s not ready-made burgers delivered straight to your door but they have come up with a fabulous idea of putting together these awesome burger DIY Kits in which, you can get down and dirty with, and attempt to create the worlds dirtiest burger, I was up for the challenge. You have all the ingredients you need and instructions to follow, you can make the kiss XXX or biscoff burger or get creative and do what you like! I think this is a fantastic kit and I really do hope they stick with it because I really enjoyed it and my family members loved taking the piss out of me getting all Gordon Ramsay on their ass.
The kit is priced at £40 and To get your hands on one of these kits, you got to download the app which you can find here and place your order just like that!
Really fun, really creative, and really bloody delicious these burgers. Get the family involved, get your mates involved, and just have a couple of beers and relax eating some seriously amazing burgers.
Stay up to date with Stripclub Street Food and download their app to order your DIY burger kits here
BITE ME CAKES
This was a first, an afternoon tea delivered to my door and I can tell you, It certainly won’t be the last. If you know me, you know I am a big lover of afternoon tea so when I heard you could get an afternoon tea delivered to your door, I first called BS and then slapped myself silly after receiving the amazing service that I received that day from Bite me Cakes. The afternoon tea comes all prepared, from finger sandwiches to mini desserts just the perfect size, and just the way I like it! The afternoon tea that I received included the following:
A very generous portion of finger sandwiches with a variety of fillings: smoked salmon, chicken, cucumber & pepper, and cheese.
Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Scones just needed to be heated up in the microwave, no fuss.
A great variety of cakes and treats such as brownies, lemon drizzle, chocolate strawberries, and more. all ready to be eaten and tasted fresh so simply serve.
Bite me Cakes caters to vegans as well, I didn’t opt for the vegan option but there were still lots of options for veggies and vegans with the afternoon tea we ordered. So this afternoon tea can be enjoyed by all, also any other allergies need to be addressed to Bite Me Cakes as they can also cater to gluten-free and dairy-free.
I was absolutely impressed with the service, the quality was fantastic, the variety was there and the amount we got, still a family of three could not finish it. Very simple to order just message Bite me Cakes and await your delivery, I was kept informed on the day regarding the time of delivery which was very helpful. The sandwiches were really tasty, the scones are big but soft and buttery, and the desserts are sweet yet VERY Satisfying and the brownies were oh so gooey! A hassle-free afternoon tea that would make the perfect treat to invite your friends and family over and to enjoy all together. So impressed, and you made our afternoon really lovely, so thank you so much for the incredible service and amazing afternoon.
New to Sutton Coldfield, Veeru’s is an Indian street food restaurant offering mouth-watering street food from Punjabi Wraps to Speciality naan pizzas! unfortunately, they didn’t have a chance to do a proper opening due to CO-VID but it didn’t let it stop them and opened up their delivery and collection services. I have had three takeaways since opening and every meal has been sensational, full of spice, full of flavour and just fantastic! My favourite dish I would say is the lamb kebab (got a nice kick to it!) but I also had the mixed grill the other week and wow, best-mixed grill I’ve had in a long time and the portion was so big that three people couldn’t even finish it. I will say that delivery time was a bit long (1 hour 20 minutes) but if I’m getting amazing well cooked and full of flavour food then I don’t care about the waiting time. You can pre-order with Veerus so maybe this something for you to consider but this is a new business that has had to think fast on their feet and adapt to change to survive, and although waiting times are a little long, I think they are doing a fantastic job giving the people of Sutton Coldfield some bloody fine and fantastic Indian street food to enjoy in their homes
Veerus really did exceed my expectations, the quality is superb- second best to non and has quickly become my favourite Indian takeaway in Sutton Coldfield. I just can’t wait for the restaurant to open, a fantastic new addition to Sutton Coldfield that will no doubt in my mind will thrive.
