Reviews, Recipes & Ramblings
I’d been meaning to revisit Quarter Horse Coffee for a while, having repeatedly come across its roasts at various cafes across Brum, including Kanteen. The cafe itself, located on Bristol Street, is a light and airy space with wooden furniture and white washed walls. Decoration is kept to a minimum but the place feels inviting…
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…
I recently visited Quaglino’s in Mayfair during a work trip to the capital. I’m not particularly familiar with this area of London (I don’t think a fleeting visit via a Monopoly board counts) but I was excited to have dinner in the private dining room here. Despite being a Monday night in January the restaurant was busy,…
I recently visited Aluna in The Mailbox to try the cocktails, but last week I ventured back to sample the food. Having recently launched a new winter menu, I was excited to revisit the canal side bar and restaurant to try some of the Thai style dishes I’d heard about. The venue The restaurant side…
There’s a handful of restaurants in Birmingham that need little introduction, and Lasan most certainly falls into that category. Launched in 2002 by Jabbar Khan, the Indian restaurant – part of the Lasan Group that includes Fiesta del Asado, Nosh & Quaff and Raja Monkey Cafe – has recently undergone a £500,000 refurbishment. With the…
Recently we took a trip to Del Villaggio on Broad Street. I’ve never been the biggest fan of Broad Street, and until my boyfriend and I became Unlimited members of Cineworld (at the Five Ways end of the street) a few years ago I’d not spent much time in that area of the city. In…
When you think of the best places for brunch in Birmingham you would be forgiven for not giving the crossroads by Lidl in the Spring Road area of Acocks Green much thought. Hardly known for its chic eateries, the area is largely ignored by foodies – ordinarily for good reason. I know when I usually…
With my hen do this weekend coming I had every intention of having a ‘quiet one’ on Saturday, but instead I accepted an invitation to a bloggers event at Gaucho Birmingham. The coveted Electro Brunch – a weekly all you can eat and drink thrill ride – has been on my ‘to do’ list since I…
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…
A new cafe has opened in Edgbaston as part of the popular Boston Tea Party chain; the 20th UK opening for the group. If you’re unfamiliar with BTP, the chain is famed for hearty brunches and a relaxed, cool environment. You’ll always find people having laid back meetings or tapping away at laptops with a…
Marmalade The Rep I like The REP for its on sight restaurant/bar, Marmalade The Rep which I’ve use for client meetings and also visited several times with friends for pre-theatre cocktails, so I was delighted to be invited to try the new menu. Meeting on a Monday evening in June, the blogger event was designed…
I’m a big fan of Cherry Reds on John Bright Street, it has to be said. Cherry Reds on John Bright Street is a gem in Birmingham city centre. Many moons ago, when I worked next to the Mailbox, I used the (then largely derelict) area as a short cut from New Street to the…
Urban Cafe is my new favourite place. On Sunday I made the decision to get myself back to the gym after several weeks of boozing, eating junk food and generally being a bit of a scamp, and this also involved a trip to Urban Cafe. After a cardio session (and an hour in the spa)…
Italian dining at Milano Arcadian This week I visited Milano Arcadian. This week is a busy one for my family as we celebrate not one but two birthdays right next to each other. With my dad celebrating his 68th birthday (on Wednesday, the day before mine) my step mum and I decided to surprise my…