I’ve not written a blog post since March. It didn’t feel right, relevant or particularly useful to anyone, including myself. So hello, welcome back (sort of) and I hope those of you reading this are healthy and doing ok. It’s been a wild ride, hasn’t it? I’m not going to write a barrage of trite…
I’m increasingly asked about vegan food in Birmingham, but it may have come to your attention that I, Laura McEwan, am not a vegan. I’m pretty far from being a vegan because 75% of my diet is cheese and I keep the city’s burger joints in business. But I like veggie food and I often…
The craft beer festival TAPS will return to Birmingham later this month, taking place in its new home at Hampton Street in the Jewellery Quarter. The festival celebrates national craft beer breweries all under one roof for a weekend filled with good food, great entertainment and (of course) lots of beer on March 27th and…
In the last 12 months Digbeth has seen more openings than an orgy. And that’s a good thing really. I talk about Digbeth on here a lot and I have a lot of love for many of the places to eat and drink around this neck of the woods. Digbeth Dining Club is arguably the…
(AD – sponsored post) This spring shoppers at Touchwood Solihull will be able to enjoy even more dining options, now including 3 independently owned restaurant brands. Indian favourite Asha’s and Jamaican inspired Jamaya will be joined by Yakinori as of March 11th, and diners can expect the same Japanese style treats as found at the…
Famous Birmingham gem, Sarehole Mill, is back baking for the people of Birmingham thanks to the launch of its new bakery. The new modern-day bakery has opened and the Victorian bakehouse has been restored. It has been nearly 150 years since the original bakehouse was in action at this famous historic property, but the site…
The winner of MasterChef: The Professionals 2019 is launching a pop up at Simpsons Birmingham. From March 11 2020, Stu Deeley will return to Birmingham and the restaurant he credits with having had the biggest influence on his career to date. ‘Stu Deeley at Simpsons’ will take place at Simpsons in Edgbaston weekly from Wednesdays…
Birmingham’s ‘smallest coffee shop’ has opened in (everyone’s favourite emo dungeon) The Oasis markets. The Coffee Bar is located on the top floor (which weirdly is actually street level) of the markets, and is an independent start up. Head past the Nirvana tshirts and suspicious looking pipes and you’ll find the bar at the back….
There’s a lot to like about The Edwardian Tearooms at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Most notably the button that summons the champagne fairy. Often overlooked, this cafe is mainly used by museum visitors but there’s plenty to draw non-visitors to the beautiful space hidden beyond the gift shop and all its loot. Located on…
Solihull has welcomed a new cafe called Vita to Mell Square. Taking over the space once occupied by Costa, Vita is a proving a welcome independent addition to an area that is often accused of being chain-heavy. Serving coffee, cake and desserts, this place will even pour you a fizz if your heart desires. All…
I only found out about Sakura in Asia Asia Food Hall by chance. I say chance, I guess it was more my Twitter overuse, really. While Twitter can occasionally be a playgroup for pricks, it’s also a useful place sometimes. On my timeline at least, I often see people I follow chatting about food and…
Colmore Food Festival returns this summer with a new city-centre home. Taking place on Friday July 3 and Saturday July 4, the festival – which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2020 – will be held in the recently-refurbished Centenary Square, next to the Library of Birmingham. The temporary new home is due to maintenance works in Victoria Square…
The oldest pub in Birmingham, The Old Crown, has reopened following an extensive renovation. Established in 1368, The Old Crown is undoubtedly a Digbeth staple. It closed its doors for nearly a month to undergo a cosmetic facelift, opening back up to the public at the end of January. Despite the modernised makeover, The Old…
I like to give places second chances, which is a good job really as my first dining experience at Rev de Cuba was pretty underwhelming. I don’t mind the place for late night drinks and dancing (I’ve attended some very fun parties in the upstairs bar that have left me with stories I couldn’t ever…