MY DINE BIRMINGHAM | Steve Denyer from Heart FM

Steve Denyer’s Heart FM Drivetime show keeps thousands of commuters company across the West Midlands during the week, while at the weekends he broadcasts to a national audience. The famous Birmingham-dweller shares his favourite places to eat and drink around the city:

Breakfast

Having lived in central Birmingham for nearly seven years, I have been thoroughly spoilt for choice when it comes to eating and drinking out. 

With my new training regime I have to walk about quite a bit! On a recent walk I discovered a little gem hidden behind Birmingham’s Broad Street in Canal Square. Ju Ju’s is the perfect place to wake up over a cooked breakfast and watch the world pass by. I love taking my iPad down and catching up on social media over some delicious food.

Lunch

By mid-morning I’m usually at The Cube. The Club and Spa is the perfect place for a coffee, a massage or just a dip in the pool followed by a steam and a sauna. And of course, the new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Birmingham upstairs is worth a visit for its great views of the city.

I’m a firm believer in a bit of retail therapy before my show. I find it impossible to shop in Selfridges without succumbing to the wonderful food on offer. Ekachai, the Thai restaurant in the food court, always gets me first.  I can recommend their delicious tom yum chicken soup or their legendary duck salad - it always works a treat before I head to the Heart FM studios to get ready for my show.

Dinner

I get to finish work every night at 7pm which is perfect timing to meet friends in town for some dinner (my favourite part of the day!) I’ve long been a fan of The Loft Lounge on Bromsgrove Street. I love it here; it’s chilled, the lighting is low and the new menu offers everything from unhealthy burgers to very healthy Asian style stir fries and tasty salads. It’s the kind of place where time whiles quickly away. Quite often, before I know it, it’s 11pm and I’m being asked to leave!

You can enjoy exclusive discounts at The Loft Lounge and many more restaurants nationwide with a Gastro Card. Click here to find out more.

Have you visited any of the venues mentioned before? Tell us what you thought here

Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Birmingham

Located on the 25th floor of new landmark The Cube, the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill is the first restaurant in Birmingham to offer 360 degree views of the city. Dine Birmingham invited famous local lady Alison Hammond along to sample fine dining served in an Empire State Of Mind…

by Sanjeeta Bains  

As I waited at the bar for my lunch date, ITV1’s This Morning reporter and local doyenne Alison Hammond, I regretted not making it an evening booking. Admiring a twinkling city below which could be anywhere in the world, would send the glamour quota of this already glitzy venue through the roof.

When Alison arrived we were shown to our table in the chic and spacious restaurant area. The hearty all-day menu includes a pleasing number of other dishes as well as steak. For starters, I opted for the six-month cured coppa ham moscardo di cremona, a colourful dish so beautifully presented that I spent a few moments gazing at it! Mostardo Di Cremona is an Italian preserve of candied fruit and a mustard flavoured syrup. The sweet/spicy tang perfectly complemented the ham and the portion was so generous I had no desire to touch the bread basket.

Alison ordered the calamari, which were very flavoursome. Starters aside, Marco Pierre White seriously caters for the comfort eater. I could have kissed the waiter for recommending the roast rump of lamb a la dijonnaise with pommes dauphinoise.  The meat was succulent, juicy and very pink, and the potatoes were crispy on top and super-creamy inside. Alison opted for the pork belly marco polo and butter beans but because of the “mmm” noises I was making, couldn’t hide her food envy!

My starter and mains were nicely matched with merlot cabernet sauvignon. Teetotal Alison kept refreshed with coke. Both of us were mindful of being in detox January, so it was disappointing to discover that the kitchen had run out of spinach. We were somewhat appeased, however, with very tasty roasted vegetables as a side dish. 

Marco Pierre White is known for classic, rich English puddings. Egging each other on, we decided to order three to share! Crème brulee, bread and butter pudding and sticky toffee pudding helped us to end our indulgent lunch magnificently!  Afterwards we were given a tour of the suitably A-list style Laurent Perrier Champagne Lounge, also on the 25th floor of The Cube.

Alison’s verdict

“It’s a fabulous location with great views and food. The company wasn’t too shabby either!  I love really sweet puddings so the bread and butter pudding, sticky toffee pudding and the accompanying sauces went down a treat. The crème brulee was sadly one pudding too many – even for both of us!”

Have you been to The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill? Let us know your verdict here

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