Birmingham: Tom’s Kitchen

The only branch of this chain restaurant from London is situated at a cozy corner in the high-end shopping mall, Mailbox. They currently have a seasonal menu of game dishes. Venison pie was delicious and partridge was well cooked. I particularly like the sauce that went with it. Partridge was lean meat without a distinctive flavour and the sauce brought it up to a different level. The soft drinks we had were lovely as well. They were from Double Dutch.

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https://tomskitchen.co.uk/birmingham-restaurant/

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Blenheim Palace: Dining at The Orangery

A well-situated restaurant where you can enjoy a good view of the Blenheim Palace alongside the lovely dishes on your table. I do recommend the starter of cheese soufflé. It is fluffy and creamy with oozing cheese. If you like fish, do try the smoked trout. It is flavoursome and will not disappoint a seafood lover. Main courses such as lamb, chicken pie and fish cake are also delicious. Beautifully done crust, chicken in a creamy sauce and fresh green vegetables make this dish very satisfying. Desserts are also good but it might be of better value if you have it from the afternoon tea menu. Otherwise, they may be skipped or you can have one from the cafe near the souvenir shop.

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https://www.blenheimpalace.co

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Birmingham: Original Patty Men

Thanks to Foursquare, we wouldn’t be able to find this great burger place otherwise. Kinda hidden away from the bustling central area, this place has a lot to offer to those love burgers and beer. Presentation is clean and you will be blown away with just one bite of that juicy meat and airy brioche. This is probably the best you can find in Birmingham. They also have beer from the siren brewery on draught.

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9 Shaw’s Passage
Digbeth
Birmingham

http://originalpattymen.com

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Birmingham: Pubs, pizza and coffee shops

Two very good pubs where they have a good selection of craft beer. Purity has their own brews and also features beers from around the world. BrewDog is already famous with more branches opening up across the UK. Both are a good destination for beer lovers.

The Stable is a chain pizza restaurant where you can enjoy with a pint of cider which they boast of having a good collection. Pizza here is of a thinner crust and you can find plenty of toppings making it delicious.

Wayland’s Yard Coffee is relatively new. Don’t leave with having a slice of their brownies. You are sure to find it irresistible whether you are a chocolate loving frenzy or not.

 

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Purecraft Bar and Kitchen

30 Waterloo St, Birmingham

https://www.purecraftbars.com/

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BrewDog

81 John Bright St, Birmingham

https://www.brewdog.com/bars/uk/birmingham

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The Stable

1 Orion, 115 John Bright St, Birmingham

https://stablepizza.com/locations/birmingham/?utm_source=googlemybusiness&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=googlemybusiness_website

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Wayland’s Yard

42 Bull St, Birmingham

http://www.waylandsyard.com

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Birmingham: The Ivy Temple Row.

A trendy restaurant chain has finally come to Birmingham’s better neighbourhood near the cathedral. Sitting by the window, if you book a table early in advance, then you can have the scenery accompany your food. You are sure to expect standard breakfast options such as eggs Benedict if you, like me, want to start your weekend from here. The decor is mesmerising and contrasts the simplicity on the plate. Overall, it is worth a visit and whiling away hours with your friends.

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67-71 Temple Row,
Birmingham, B2 5LS

https://theivybirmingham.com

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Birmingham: The Victoria Inn, Barnt Green.

This may be one of those pubs you see when driving in a car on the way to your destination. However, if you do happen to be in the neighbourhood and are looking for something to eat, then this is not a bad choice. Food is cooked with care and prices are reasonable. I enjoyed my fish cake and my partner enjoyed his roast chicken.

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113 Hewell Road
Barnt Green
Birmingham
B45 8NW

https://www.thevictoriabarntgreen.co.uk

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National Trust – dining

When visiting National Trust sites for their historical mansions and houses, don’t forget to drop in to their eateries as they provide in season British cuisines using locally sourced produce which I find just equally enjoyable. Derbyshire oatcake with a chilli stew is heart-warming and stomach-filling while apple crumbles are made of apple from the on-site orchard. Scones come with nice butter and the pork stew is seasoned and cooked well. Vegetables with bread, lasagna and lamb stew are also delicious

You can find these dishes at Kedleston, Hidcote, Hanbury, Upton and Tyntesfield.

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https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

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Oxfordshire: The Orangery at Blenheim Palace

This is our second time having the afternoon tea at this restaurant as we thoroughly enjoyed it last time. Reasonably priced and situated at the heart of Blenheim Palace, there is no other place that can offer the same value and delight. A variety of flavours you can find on the plates, both savoury and sweet. Particularly impressed by the curry-flavoured sandwiches and mini opera cakes. Tea is nice and coffee is also available if that’s what you prefer. Do try the bon-bon. It has a beautiful display of espresso and condensed milk in distinctive layers. Sounding a bit burdensome to the body but it is very nice. Why not take a rest from your tour around Blenheim Palace next time when you are visiting and indulge yourself with the delicacies served here?

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Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1P

https://www.blenheimpalace.com

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Birmingham: Faculty Coffee and Yorks Cafe

I have been to Faculty many times and am quite reluctant to share on my blog as I rank it as one of the top coffee shops on my list among all the others I’ve been to in London. They have an in-house bakery producing creative and delicious pastries and cakes that would go well with coffee or tea (photo top left). So today I am publicising the venue and hopefully, there are still chances of me getting a table next time I go there.

Yorks has been around for a long time for it is one of the pioneers that contributed to the coffee shop landscape in Birmingham. However, I do feel they were much better back then when they had only one venue which has been shut down since they opened up three other new venues. Coffee nowadays is not much better than other main chains. Food is served without the care they put in before and you would find many burnt bits on the plates (please see the photos). I probably just go there for the sake of stamps.

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Faculty

Piccadilly Arcade, Birmingham B2 4HD

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Yorks

29/30 Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH

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Birmingham: Buffalo and Rye + 200 Degrees Coffee

1. Buffalo & Rye: Nice burger, but could have done without the side dish of potato hash which didn’t excite me as much as the burger. Ribs were rich in flavours and packed with a punch, which was something one would be looking for in an American-styled dish.
2. 200 Degrees: As for the cafe, it could get really busy on a Saturday morning. Good coffee, very milky, but there weren’t many breakfast options part from pastries and sandwiches. Nothing I truly felt like ordering that would make me feel ‘yeah it’s the weekend,’ apart from a usual weekday menu. The elements of high ceilings and red bricks contributed to its good interiors.

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http://www.buffaloandrye.co.uk

11 Bennetts Hill, Birmingham B2 5RS

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https://200degs.com/birmingham-colmore-row

21-23 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2BS

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