This Autumn, Blacklock is opening in Birmingham and with blue skies forecast for days, we hopped on the train and pressed our noses up against the windows of our new restaurant.
Arriving in a new place, our first port of call was to meet our (very lovely) new neighbours to find out where their favourite spots are to kick back and relax. This swiftly turned into a whistle-stop tour of the best places to eat and drink in and around Birmingham, along the canals and further a field to awesome places like Stirchley.
Here’s where we went
– Orelle
Walking along Colmore Road, we were greeted by Christina and whisked up to the 24th floor to a stunning restaurant and bar called Orelle which boasts a panoramic birds eye view of the city and beyond.
With cameras in hand and jaws on the floor, we mentally bookmarked this as a great spot for anyone looking for a room with a view or city-centre, very romantic date night.
– Couch
From there, one place was on all the local’s lips.
A quick hop on the train to Bournville (the home of Cadbury’s Chocolate) brought us to an unsuspecting hotspot, Strichley’s beloved neighbourhood cocktail bar Couch, which was deservedly awarded no.4 in last year’s Top 50 Best Cocktail Bars list.
Do NOT leave without ordering their Spicy Marg, the Picante.
– Eat Vietnam
Peckish, we bagged a table next door at Eat Vietnam, famed as one of Birmingham’s best kept secrets. Chef Ming quite literally takes you on an Asian deep dive with small plates and delights.
Hearts filled and bellies satisfied, if we’d had room, we would have also made our way to Soi 1268 too. Word on the street is their Prawn Toast could be the 8th Wonder of the World we’ve been searching for.
Alas with a long summer of building a head, we have plenty of time.
– York Cafe & Dishoom
The following day, we found a cosy home-away-from-home at York Cafe. Grateful for our caffeine fix and prepped for the day, Dishoom hosted Ladies of Restaurants hospitality breakfast with Natalia Ribbe.
We listened to Co-owner of Albatross and Wilderness, Rachael Whittle, Head Chef of Tropea, Kasia Piątkowska, Harriet Giles from Dishoom and Ange Adamo, Director of Tutto Apposto, aka the Birmingham food scene’s leading ladies all talk about the sheer joy and pride for all things Brummie.
– Pasture
We hooked up with our new neighbours at Pasture for a coffee and a tour of their breathtaking, newly opened restaurant just off Cathedral Square and before we knew it our cups and saucers were swapped out for knives and forks as we tucked into some very tasty nibbles.
P.s. If you’re looking for a boogie in the area, Thursday and Friday nights round theirs is where it’s at!
– Bonehead
Wrapping up, no trip is complete without paying Bonehead a visit, who quite rightly have a cult following for their roll-you-sleeves up and get stuck in Chicken.
Their convivial energy will have you ordering rounds of craft beers with punk-ish names, even at lunch.
Drop us a line
So, while we busy ourselves with carefully exposing brickwork and antique panelling to restore our former vicarage, we cannot shake the eager feeling to return soon and continue making more friends, meet new people and discover even more to this incredibly warm and welcoming city.
If you have any other recommendations, we’re all ears! Feel free to drop us a line, anytime, with your suggestions.
Ps Fancy being the Office Angel?
Keep your eyes peeled this summer for a Cheesecake Open Call from us on our Birmingham Newsletter. We’re going to be swinging by a couple of offices this summer, armed with our famous White Chocolate Cheesecakes – enough for all!