This week’s roundup contains mainly places I ate or drank at during the Easter bank holiday.
A lot of these have featured on the blog before but it’s always nice to shout about places you like and big up some lesser known indi offerings that rely on word of mouth. Well, I think so anyway and that’s what you’re getting today – enjoy!
Pinchos, Edmund Street
A terrific little independent serving up a small menu of hot and cold tapas. The chorizo special this week was incredible, and the service is (as always) friendly and helpful. I’ve written about this cafe before if you fancy a read.
Chung Ying Central, Colmore Row
My favourite place for dim sum, CYC was the setting for a lovely birthday meal for some good friends. We over ordered all the small plates, including these sexy chicken gyoza. This place also has a great 241 cocktail deal 4-7pm.
The Flapper, Kingston Row
This pub has one of the most underrated beer gardens in Brum city centre. It gets the sun all day, the drinks are cheaper than anywhere close by and they’re now doing bar food again.
Bank, Brindleyplace
The terrace at the back of Bank is the most glorious sun trap. We had an early evening supper here, where you can get the daytime deal of two courses for £17 until 6pm everyday. I had the fish and chips and it was actually quite brilliant – the crispy batter was perfect. Review to follow.
El Borracho de Oro, Edgbaston
On Easter Sunday we enjoyed the glorious sunshine and ate all the tapas at this Spanish restaurant. The 3 for 2 deal was on so we had 6 dishes to share, including these creamy mussels and charred padron peppers. The terrace was a total sun trap so we just stayed there for a few hours nibbling and sipping on sangria.
Canalside, Gas Street
This is a little treasure, in my opinion. Lots of lovely ales and some seating outside so you can watch the canal boats move up and down Gas Street basin.
The Vine Inn, Clent
I left Brum on the Saturday for a sunny walk in the Clent Hills, near Stourbridge. After our jaunt we stopped off at this gorgeous country pub for lunch, and I inhaled a very good ploughman’s. Super beer garden and great if you have pooches. I’ll do a full review of this place next month.
Juju’s Cafe, Canalside
I love Juju’s. I’m biased, of course, because the ladies who run the place have become good friends of mine and the cafe happens to be 30 seconds from my apartment. But this place is ace if you like that ‘home cooked’ style food, and the chilli nachos are particularly sexy.. with a bottle of wine.
Bonehead, John Bright Street
Because my husband basically lives here now, we popped into Bonehead quickly for some spicy chicken strips and a pint. The irony of being in the darkest bar in Birmingham on the sunniest day of the year (so far) was not lost on me. I’ve written about this place before.
The Canal House, Gas Street
With the Waterfront Festival on, we spent a few hours drinking cocktails on the balcony and enjoying the live music. This place is just lovely when the sun is out.
The Distillery, Sheepcoat Street
Hangovers need carbs, and this pub does great pizza. The beer garden is also huge and gets the sun all day – winner. I wrote about this place recently.
No wonder I’m getting fat.. Here’s hoping for more sun soon. Brum sure is pretty in the sunshine, isn’t it?