As featured in the summer 2013 issue of. Tired? Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter.

Transcription

1 As featured in the summer 2013 issue of UGRy? hirsty? ired? Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter. JWLLRY QUARR

2 Prepare your palate for a culinary guide to the Jewellery Quarter s eating and drinking places, where you can see an award-winning celebrity chef in action, drink cocktails in a private booth, share a cuppa with a creative and dance the night away to live music. Snow ill station commuters have a handy pitstop tucked next door to the Livery Street entrance, with the independent coffee shop Brewsmiths. With door-stop bacon butties available all day, a range of specialist coffees, 30 leaf teas and a penchant for retro sweets and handmade cakes, this is a great place to refuel. For a more substantial start to the day there s nothing better than a full nglish breakfast. iffany s Café certainly agrees as their hearty servings demonstrate. If you eat breakfast on the run, then a sausage and egg sandwich from Pickwicks menu should keep you going until lunchtime. Philpotts is popular with office workers around Great Charles Street who take away freshly made baguettes with big eat fillings like ew York Deli peppered pastrami, mmental cheese, dill pickles, Dijon mustard and loads of coleslaw, or a tasty salad box with tzatziki. For a lunch with a view then Saint Caffe has a great location in St Paul s Square overlooking the church. A chic, but not snobby, interior displaying work by local artists, there are big tables for meetings and cosy chairs for getting away from it all with lots of free local magazines to read. In the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, craftsmen and creatives rub shoulders at ylton Café, Lunchlines and Café eo. he bicycle propped up outside ylton Café is a hint that they make local deliveries to businesses. his café is proud of its Jewellery Quarter location and names its breakfasts after gemstones! For a portion of crisp, golden, chips for only a 1 head to Gordon Blue café. After choosing from a great choice of freshly made sandwiches, salads and jacket potatoes at Lunchlines and Café eo, you can eat lunch in Café eo s garden or alfresco in Golden Square, which is due to open spring Brewsmiths For an afternoon pick-me-up or break from shopping, the homeware store Pomegranate is an attractive airy, open plan coffee shop that also offers a 10% discount for students. his is the only gluten free specific café in the Quarter with a menu of sandwiches and cakes. After a visit to the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter in Vyse Street, you can squeeze into the bijoux traditional tea shop at Vee s Deli. A refreshing cup of tea or glass of cordial is perfect with one of Vee s homemade cakes. You can also pick up store cupboard treats including the award-winning Lashford sausages that is famous for and speciality Scotch eggs. Photo: Charles Davies has a large number of independent coffee shops that cater for the morning rush and meetings as well as a mid-afternoon boost. he floor to ceiling windows at the Urban Coffee Company make it easy for people watching. Inside the Urbanistas serve connoisseurs with coffee blends from all over the world, breakfast or brunch. his coffee emporium is also licensed. he coffee lounge Fredericks looked over the pond to the USA for both design and menu inspiration. heir indoor and outdoor seating options offer a relaxed place that flows into the evenings as a bar with space that is good for private parties or events. Deli eaven prides itself on homemade food freshly prepared each day. hey serve a range of hot and cold sandwiches, panini, baguettes, jacket potatoes and salads. Despite not being in the city centre, the Jewellery Quarter has a busy evening social scene as many business owners and employees live locally. From real ale and live music to cocktails and table football, the pubs in the Jewellery Quarter have a lot to offer. he Brown Lion was refurbished last year, so it is a cosy nook to wind down in at the end of the day. wned by the wo owers Brewery, a full range of cask ales is available and you can book tours of the attached brewery. 2 Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter.

3 @JQD WIR FD Followers recommend their favourite places to eat for a stella burger, for a fabulous cocktail I for a decent cuppa & slice of he pork is amaze! Goats cheese and poached pear is the nuts! Fleet Street Kitchen A Sombrero Burger of flamegrilled chicken with sour cream and salsa, washed down with a selection of Belgian and Czech beers keeps customers returning to he Red Lion, or it could be their garden, quiz nights and friendly service. he Victorian stained glass windows give you an idea of how old he Jewellers Arms is. It is a popular meeting place so the benches outside are often full, especially as it is a dog friendly venue. here are no literary pretensions at he Shakespeare, just a well stocked cellar of real ales. he smoking area and patio are popular and, like many places in the Jewellery Quarter, this pub is a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered. he Queens Arms is an eye-catching, Grade II listed 19th century pub, with a magnificent art nouveau style tiled frontage. A CAMRA favourite, the cask ales are well received and the pub features a guest beer each month. asty treats on the menu include dward Moon Proper Pie Company from Stratford upon Avon. Don t let the resident ghost have a bite though! aving quenched your thirst, sate your appetite at one of the local eateries. s 200 restaurants dish up 27 different cuisines and in the Jewellery Quarter you can table hop your way through the best international flavours. With a bar upstairs and restaurant downstairs, at he Rectory you can enjoy an appetiser of chicken liver paté flavoured with Madeira, and slow cooked belly of pork with braised red cabbage, mashed potatoes, apple and prune compote and mustard grain sauce. he classically trained chef here creates satisfying, well-crafted food at reasonable prices. he Rectory Big anny s is like a private supper club in the living room of its owner. he warm welcome is equally matched in the heat of Caribbean dishes. From the hot sauce on the saltfish fritters to the jerk chicken, you ll find the short menu packed with recognisable Caribbean ingredients that are served with warmth and love. You could also try thiopian cuisine at Blue ile who serve an exotically spicy mix of vegetables, slow-simmered meat or grain stews, and fresh meat sautés. he Jewellery Quarter now has two premier steakhouses, making the grill the star attraction of their restaurants. Anderson s Bar & Grill is housed in eighteenth century cellars that are a cosy, intimate space to enjoy the locally sourced Aberdeen Angus beef, matured for 31 days to intensify the flavour. ewcomer Fleet Street Kitchen sets out to be a place where you can eat, drink and party. hey have introduced Brummies to the barbacoa grill. oused in a neat alcove alongside the main kitchen, the lumpwood charcoal grill flavours the 28-day aged erefordshire or Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter. 3

4 35-day dry aged Dexter beef. If you like baby back ribs, with meat softly falling off the bone and a mini pot of the fruity house sauce, or a whole roasted chicken, then this is the place for you. he quartet of Italian restaurants in the Jewellery Quarter all have outdoor dining areas to indulge in antipasti right through to dolci. If you can t decide between the variety of pasta at Cucina Rustica Spaghetti con frutti di mare, Penne arrabbiata con salsiccia, Fagottini ripieni di cinghiale then let the chef surprise you with a selection of three different pasta dishes. While you are deliberating over the menu, a dish of free olives is very welcome, as is the consistent cooking and accomplished service. At Locanta you ll find the expected Chicken Parmagiana and Calamari Fritti, alongside Mediterranean inspired dishes like Don Paco s Chilli Dish of prawns sautéed with chorizo, chicken, peppers, mushrooms and chilli tomato sauce. hey regularly run wine nights, so check their website for details. Pasta di Piazza has a buzz that s great for families. hey are geared up for groups and offer a larger than average set menu of two course from to three courses for n a summer s day there s nothing better than an Amaretto ice cream and a glass of Verdicchio with its bouquet of pears and spritzy finish. About to celebrate their first birthday, the newest restaurant to join la famiglia is Portofino. heir signature dish is Portofino Chicken stuffed with spinach, goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes, with spicy eapolitan sauce served with fresh ravioli. hey host private events and welcome parties. At Gino, an Italian tapas restaurant and cocktail bar, guests can enjoy tapas and cocktails in a Mediterranean setting. At he Drop Forge nothing goes on the plate if it doesn t taste fab. hey are not interested in wacky techniques, for this Modern uropean restaurant it is all about careful sourcing of quality ingredients. he pared down menu of sharing plates, grilled steaks and gourmet burgers is well thought out, reasonably priced and updated seasonally. hey have also won a design award for converting an industrial space into a hospitable bar and restaurant, with different seating areas both inside and out. Quality is king for the restaurant owners in. he city has four Michelin star chefs, more than any other city outside London, and the Jewellery Quarter is home to celebrity chef Aktar Islam. Macher jhol pan fried fillet of bream resting on garlic scented tender leaf spinach and new potatoes simmered in spicy Bengali tomato and coriander scented broth won Lasan Gordon Ramsay s F Word Best Local Restaurant. Aktar has set the standard for high quality Indian fusion dining in the city. his innovation has won over restaurant critics and customers alike so book in advance. Afghani Lamb 4 Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter.

5 aken from the indi word meaning history, the decadent interior of Itihaas takes its inspiration from the colonial and maharaja eras. Carved elephants, wall hangings and paintings set the scene, with immaculately laid tables and high backed chairs placed under black chandeliers. he menu however is bang up to date and dishes like the Karahi Maha Jingah king prawns, panfried in a traditional Indian wok and marinated in a deep thick masala gravy that is unique to the karahi cooking style has earned Itihaas the accolade of the British Curry Awards 2012 for Best Restaurant in the Midlands. Milan has been open for more than 20 years and is a modern space of leather seats, low lighting and fresh white linens. he friendly and attentive staff make this Indian restaurant a cut above. heir reasonably priced menu is very popular with groups and parties, as its location is close to the oliday Inn xpress on Lionel Street. he Rajdoot andoori claims to have introduced tandoori-style cooking to urope in heir skilled chefs have been preparing traditional, authentic orth Indian cuisine for over 40 years, cooking with andoori clay ovens. From a mild Bhuna Gosht of tender lamb spiced with capsicum and fenugreek to monkfish pan-fried in the chef s special masala sauce, there is something to tempt everyone. enry s is the only Cantonese restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter. his well established family owned restaurant serves more than 200 dishes to diners from their a la carte menu, Sunday buffet and Banquet menu (that also includes a free birthday cake). hree Monks is a classic enry s dish. Monkfish served in three styles deep fried with sweet hai chilli, steamed with garlic soy sauce and stir fried with hot and spicy sauce. An advertising board on Warstone Lane is the only clue that you ve found 24 Carat Bistro. An unimposing doorway (along from Big anny s) he Jam ouse he king of the honky tonk piano Jools olland opened he Jam ouse and its heritage as a lively, informal music venue lives on. leads into a snug café serving traditional fayre. Cottage pie, lasagne, meatballs and mixed grill are comforting menu staples. Due to the tiny venue, you have to ask for a key to visit the toilet which is situated opposite the café it s all part of the experience! When the daylight dims the lights go on in the Jewellery Quarter bars, for a stylish and entertaining evening. Getting glammed up is par for the course at Mechu. he downstairs bar has a dark, clubby vibe before you go upstairs to the nightclub. he mirror balls and VIP booths are a back drop to dancing until 2.30am. hursday s Minted is a popular weekly student night with a DJ playing motown, soul and funk. ext door is Après, the cherry red bar where pizzas are cooked in the wood fired ovens. Customers here relax by watching sport on the plasma screens or soaking up the sun on the terrace. he king of the honky tonk piano Jools olland opened he Jam ouse and its heritage as a lively, informal music venue lives on. he bar, restaurant and club is spread out over three floors, providing a one-stop venue for a fun night out for more than 500 people at a time. Live music is also on the menu at the weekends in he Ropewalk pub, where kids can make their own tortillas to enjoy in the family friendly garden. Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter. 5

6 he tardis like space of Stirlings means that you can quaff wine on the outdoor terrace, sip cocktails served to you in a jam jar on the mezzanine, or down beers in the bar. In the lower ground floor is a spacious room for the Friday and Saturday DJs to spin old skool classics. ow you ve read all about the cafés, bars, restaurants and hotels in the Jewellery Quarter, here s a handy map to help you plan a day trip or an evening out: 1 Brewsmiths Livery Street 2 iffany s Café 19 he Queens Arms ewhall Street 20 he Rectory 37 Mechu Summer Row 38 Aprés Summer Row ccupying the vaulted underpinnings of an imposing Victorian building, he Vaults has a classy wine and cocktail list to match their distinctive and upmarket home. leven vintages of champagne and mixologists keen to show off their skills have caught the attention of he Independent, who included he Vaults in its list of top 50 cocktail bars. With eight private booths to book, plus a bar and boutique restaurant serving modern British dishes, this is a bar that aims to please. Just one block up from he Vaults, Vertu has recently opened a smart new roof terrace. pen seven days a week, the bar hosts DJs and live music all weekend. very day is happy hour or good times as they like to call their special promotions of selected drinks for 2.50 from 4 8pm and five bottles of San Miguel for 10. he Actress & Bishop is not a quiet cosy pub for a tête à tête. xpect a loud venue packed with friendly people. heir comprehensive listing of comedy and quiz nights will fill your calendar throughout the year. Monday night s quiz has a cash jackpot, weekend DJs and live music fill the dancefloor and a great atmosphere is guaranteed. he Lord Clifden is the daddy when it comes to blending superior food, drink and entertainment. Without using the word cool, hipsters definitely feel at home in the urban art bar or playing table football in the garden. Lots of guest beers and a killer jukebox also help. Continued on p8 3 Pickwicks ewhall Street 4 Philpotts Great Charles Street 5 Saint Caffe 6 ylton Café ylton Street 7 Lunchlines he Big Peg 8 Café eo Spencer Street 9 Gordon Blue 10 Pomegranate 11 Vee s Deli Vyse Street 12 Urban Coffee Company he Big Peg 13 Fredericks 14 Deli eaven Caroline Street 15 he Brown Lion all Street 16 he Red Lion 17 he Jewellers Arms ockley Street 18 he Shakespeare Summer Row 21 Big anny s 22 Blue ile Great ampton Street 23 Anderson s Bar & Grill Mary Ann Street 24 Fleet Street Kitchen Fleet Street 25 Cucina Rustica Ludgate ill 26 Locanta Ludgate ill 27 Pasta di Piazza Brook Street 28 Portofino 29 Gino 30 he Drop Forge ockley Street 31 Lasan James Street 32 Itihaas Islington Gates 33 Milan ewhall Street 34 Rajdoot George Street 35 enry s Carat Bistro 39 he Jam ouse 40 he Ropewalk 41 Stirlings Ludgate ill 42 he Vaults ewhall Place, ewhall ill 43 Vertu 44 he Actress & Bishop Ludgate ill 45 he Lord Clifden Great ampton Street 46 he Rose Villa avern 47 he Church Inn Great ampton Street 48 Bloc Caroline Street 49 atters Livery Street 50 oliday Inn xpress Lionel Street 51 ravelodge ewhall Street 52 Comfort Zone Branston Street 53 ampton by ilton Constitution ill 6 Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter.

7 RD WA K LL A4 A Bouldering Centre 23 Snow ill Interchange St Paul s Church R 1 A W LU D G A Snow ill Station L SUM 38 MR 18 RW Comfort Zone University College AY L W CLM BUSISS DIRIC W AL Q L AR C A4 4 S oliday Inn xpress UCB he Spa A D Christian Centre L G RA AL L PA L FL SAD PIS W B ower LI L AR 34 C SL D University College Campus 32 WALL SQUA IL LI RG ravelodge ILL M Assay ffice G A ALL W CA Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia all R C For national and regional rail services, Metro and northwest bound bus services. 39 K RBSA Gallery St Paul s J A Gallery M S S 31 Consulate of Pakistan W PAUL S SQUA Ramgarhia Sikh emple 42 D A X C BR R LA B atters ostel AM S GRA 1 D W R 49 D W Stan s Cafe I St Paul s Bloc otel 29 R Y AR I ampton by ilton M ICK G U 53 Argent Centre LG I he Asylum DR 9 S 28 LI Y C RY C ome to the country sllargest P A variety of specialist jewellers G as well as the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, the Pen Room and BIAD School of Jewellery. F 13 R A R G RI Frederick Street Jewellery Quarter VI BIAD School of Jewellery V C14 AR LI SQUA GLD M 10 GAM S BU C K I MP LA S A A 2 KY A M R LL U 15 JWLLRY Warstone QUARR Lane WAR A R G S S R GA R G Information Centre G College of Law Consulate General of India Jewellery Quarter Police Station 7 12 GRG IG RI P C AU he Big Peg M CK AM VYS Vyse Street Post ffice he Red Lion 47 he Blue range heatre SP Jewellery Quarter BU AM P RD St George s Community ub A 8 A RF A 30 BR 17 G Museum of the Jewellery Quarter R RW City Centre BA 52 Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter. 7 RW IC K

8 he team behind four other successful bars in the city gave he Rose Villa avern a contemporary makeover, to bring the grand old boozer bang up to date. he quirky design fuses an original phone box with the original stained glass windows and wall tiles. For any time of day the menu of American style breakfasts, gourmet sandwiches and burgers plus the traditional Sunday roasts is a winner. he cocktails blend classics with new inventions anyone for a Chase Marmalade Vodka? he Church Inn is a block up from he Lord Clifden and reopened in May 2013 following a 500,000 makeover. Run by the owners of the Soul Food Project, this new pub promises a taste of the Deep South with their Cajun inspired menu, outdoor cinema on their roof terrace and a secret bar hidden within the refurbished building. For a sleepover after a business meeting, or to make the weekend last longer, the boltholes in the Jewellery Quarter combine budget conscious options with design-led luxury. he concept for Bloc is that small can be beautiful and being competitively priced (from 45 a night) doesn t mean that you have to forgo luxury. he gyptian cotton bed linen and monsoon drench showers come as standard in this 73-room hotel. An additional 24 long-stay apartment rooms are planned. With rooms of one bed to twelve, atters tops the list for groups and partygoers. o longer the reserve of backpackers, the clean, cosy, safe en-suite rooms are managed by a team of knowledgeable staff who can recommend places to visit in the area. Stirlings Value for money and a convenient location is what you d expect from the oliday Inn xpress brand, which also offers the additional benefits of secure car parking, complimentary continental breakfast and a day pass to LA Fitness. he 223-room hotel has decent sized rooms with the standard work space, modem point, pull-out sofa and power shower in the compact bathroom. Family rooms at ravelodge can sleep up to four people in this three star hotel. Built five years ago with 100 rooms, the modern, tidy rooms are well equipped for a good night s sleep. If you prefer to do your own thing, then the three bedroomed self-service apartments with modern kitchens by Comfort Zone in Branston Street may suit you. he Quarter s newest hotel, ampton by ilton, offers spacious contemporary bedrooms with free high-speed Internet access and Freeview on a flat screen V. Guests can also enjoy the use of the gym and a complimentary breakfast. Bloc 8 Quarterlife s guide to the places to eat, drink and stay in the Jewellery Quarter.