Reviews, Recipes & Ramblings
When I moved to Birmingham after university, way back when in 2006, I accidentally made a lot of friends that originated from Sutton Coldfield. I considered them posh because they didn’t sound like me, and they all had lovely shiny hair like Grand National winners. The girls I met liked getting drunk on Tuesdays, short…
Quick post for you today on a recent festival I went to in Stratford-Upon-Avon. Yes, occasionally I leave Birmingham and spend my money in other places. Who knew?! After what can politely be described as a turbulent week, The Husband and I decided to spend last weekend doing nothing and being T-Total. This lasted approximately…
A few weeks ago I visited Harvey Nichols in Mailbox to sample the limited edition Edinburgh Gin afternoon tea, created and crafted in house by head chef Stewart Mackie. Offered throughout June and July, this high end afternoon tea has been designed to showcase the liqueurs available from Edinburgh Gin as well as give guests…
I first tried the afternoon tea available at Malmaison at a social media meet up back in March. I liked it so much I booked a return visit for a friend’s birthday, adding the fizz option to make it a bit more special for her. I’ve talked at length before about how much I enjoy…
Last week I celebrated hump day in style by attending a dinner hosted by Edinburgh Gin at Malmaison. I’m no stranger to Edinburgh Gin or Malmaison, having quaffed my way in and around both during the haze that was last summer. Armed with a deep love for gin, and having frequented Chez Mal more than…
Last Thursday – after a fairly turbulent start to the week, it has to be said – I decided to cheer myself up visiting the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC Birmingham. Held over 4 days, the annual event is designed for food lovers to see some of their favourite TV chefs cook live,…
Having received an invitation to attend an Edinburgh Gin event (you can read all about the last one here) at Moor Hall Hotel & Spa, I had a feeling I might be in for a treat.. and I wasn’t wrong. Set out in the leafy outskirts of Sutton Coldfield, the Edwardian house was the venue…
With Birmingham Cocktail Weekend** on the horizon, an invitation popped up in my inbox recently that got me rather excited: did I want to come to an event at Jekyl and Hyde to meet the Edinburgh Gin team and create my own gin? Errr, damn right I did! As anyone who follows my ramblings will…
I’ve written before about my love affair with Pho Birmingham – check it out – located in the food court area of Grand Central. Once you get over the fact that there’s always a queue (and in winter it’s ruddy freezing) it’s a great spot for a steaming bowl of noodle soup or one of the other Vietnamese inspired…
One unseasonably wet Tuesday not so long ago I made my way to The Botanist Birmingham for an illusive event simply called #TrustYourSenses. Having had one of those days (it started with me throwing a chocolate protein shake down my top en route to a meeting; excellent adulting) I was hoping to try some of…
Last weekend saw the return of Foodies Festival, and despite the bipolar weather (I managed to get sunburnt in the rain, a new one even for me) the three-day event in Cannon Hill Park proved to be a success. Seeing local food and drink businesses merge with those from further afield, the festival was designed…
Spring is my favourite time of the year. Don’t get me wrong, I love the warm summer months but being so pale I tend to enjoy the spring time with a bit more enthusiasm – not to mention less factor 50. Now the (quite bonkers) weather we suffered during April seems to have finally retreated,…
I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this (lol) but it’s my birthday soon *fires glitter canon* so I’ve been thinking about what I could ask for, in terms of presents. I drive my other half to disappear by always answering the annual “what do you want for your birthday?” question with, “I don’t know/anything/I don’t need…