Birmingham’s Gourmet Year: New Venues in 2011

[by Ahmed Ahmed]

Birmingham’s culinary offering went from strength to strength in 2011, with new restaurants, cafes and bars popping up on almost every corner. Here’s just a handful of them. If you haven’t yet had a chance to visit any, put them on your list for 2012.

Annexe | website

This stylish nook near the law courts touts itself as ‘a relaxed yet sophisticated venue for those seeking the upmarket nostalgia of vintage cafe society.’ With its range of classic prix fixe options at lunchtime, combined with a discerning dinner menu and wine list, Annexe lives up to its upper-crust aspirations.

Bay Leaf | website 

Bangladeshi cuisine doesn’t always get enough recognition in a city renowned for its Indian fare. Bay Leaf joined the trendy cluster of venues in Birmingham’s Custard Factory in 2011, serving up meals with a focus on organic produce and authenticity, and putting on live music in the Bay Leaf bar.

Rose Villa Tavern | website

The Jewellery Quarter welcomed the refurbished Rose Villa Tavern, a grade II listed pub building that combines contemporary design with period features and a menu ranging from American breakfasts to British Sunday roast.

Amazon Brazil Churrascaria | website

‘Birmingham’s first Brazilian restaurant’ offers its visitors the Latin American steakhouse experience. ‘Churrascaria’ means ‘house of barbecue.’ Diners are treated to a range of roasted meats, prepared according to centuries-old tradition and served alongside an array of authentic Brazilian hot dishes.

Saffron | website

Colmore Row, at the heart of Birmingham’s business district, saw the arrival of Saffron. Chef Patron Sudha Saha explained that the menu aims at ‘fusing seasonal produce with global influences.’ The ambitious Indian restaurant isn’t afraid to do things differently; jungle venison, one of the menu’s creative highlights, combines Highland game with a house blend of pickling curry.

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill | website 

The famed chef brought his culinary touch to The Cube at the end of 2011, when Birmingham’s Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill opened its doors to discerning diners in search of classic cuisine and  360 degree views of the city.

Independent cafes

Birmingham’s independent cafe scene is definitely enjoying a renaissance. From Brewsmiths Coffee & Tea to Six Eight Kafé and Ort, all of whom opened their doors in 2011, the city is now host toa vast array of cosy coffee shops with more than enough character to set them above the high street chains.

Have you been to any of these venues? Let us know what you thought here

A new bloom for Birmingham: Rose Villa Tavern opens in the Jewellery Quarter

[by Ahmed Ahmed]

A new look pub-restaurant opened its doors to Birmingham at midday on Wednesday 29^th June, ready to serve up traditional cuisine, gourmet lunches and a range of drinks including cocktails, handpicked wines and international beers.

The Rose Villa Tavern (map) is housed in a grade II listed building, and the interiors have been carefully designed to combine characteristic period features with funky modern aesthetics.

In harmony with the building’s blend of old and new, the Birmingham gastropub will be host to both laid-back and lively entertainment.

While on Sundays the Rose Villa Tavern is to offer patrons the time-honoured pub roast dinner, a party atmosphere is planned for Friday and Saturday nights, when DJs will be invited to entertain patrons with “an eclectic mix of funk, soul, Latin, disco, indie, R&B and groove.”

The new establishment is a venture by Bitters ‘n’ Twisted Venues, the company behind other popular Birmingham venues including Bodega and Island Bar. Director Matt Scrivens elaborated on the distinct balance of classic and contemporary that he hopes the relaunched pub will create:

“Our intention with The Rose Villa Tavern is to preserve and enhance the historic features as much as possible whilst introducing contemporary and quirky touches to create a uniquely interesting pub in Birmingham. The Rose Villa Tavern will once again become the crown jewel in The Jewellery Quarter.”

Have you been quick off the mark and visited the Rose Villa Tavern already? Let us know what you think here

The Rose Villa Tavern can be found online here

Our photo comes courtesy of James Williams. Follow him @jiiimmyw