Breakfast Banquet – Birmingham Breakfast Club at Simpsons Restaurant

It’s not often Wifey and I go somewhere a little different. With one of the most prestigious pedigrees in Birmingham, and Britain, this time was going to be a rather special breakfast…

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Founded in Kenilworth by Chef owner Andreas Antona, then relocating to Edgbaston, holders of a Michelin Star since 2000, Simpsons is not normally known as a breakfast destination.

However, Simon S of Birmingham Breakfast Club (reviewers of breakfast locations far and wide around Brum) arranged two special seatings .Wifey and I naturally jumped at the chance for a visit and it was a great chance to look around the recently refurbished restaurant.

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For those not up to date on happenings at Simpsons, former Head Chef Matt Cheal left after 16 years on and off,and two years as head chef under Chef Director Luke Tipping, to establish Cheals of Henley.

Recently, Nathan Eades has taken over Head Chef duties after a successful run at his own, Epi @ The Courtyard in Bromsgrove, and pop ups at The Kitchen Garden (Kings Heath) and The Pickled Piglet (City Centre).

To go with the change in the kitchen, Simpsons has had a makeover too, with a full refurbishment giving the place a lighter, ‘Bauhaus’, Japanese, Scandinavian, mix of light and airy style:

After removing our coats, we were ushered to take out places in the beautiful dining room:

 

But before I ate, Simon had arranged a very rare treat for fellow bloggers and I – a look behind the curtain and watch these food maestros in the kitchen:

It was a privilege to see how much effort the team were putting into our breakfast, especially considering they were still conducting normal service in between fitting us in.

After that, it was back to the table for a spot of tea, toast and juice for Wifey and I and time to look over our three (!) course breakfast menu:

 

The bread, a crusty crunchy sourdough, was very generous and served with a delicious pale and soft butter. The juices were all amazing quality (as expected) and tea was served in beautiful clear glass pots.

Our first course was a twist on the classic breakfast dish of Kedgeree, smoked haddock risotto accompanied with capers, parsley and quails egg:

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I usually hate capers; the bitter, salty, sour medicinal taste usually sends me running.

But this kedgeree was something else. Well presented chunky flakes of smoked haddock, glossy quails eggs and wet but perfectly done rice meant I was in heaven. Wifey was apprehensive as rice for breakfast reminded her of childhood memories of Congee but she fell in love with this also, heaping praise on the delicate smokiness of the fish.

The ‘main’ was another twisted dish, a Full English featuring crispy duck egg, chorizo & coco bean, confit tomatoes, walnut puree and smoked bacon emulsion.

This miniature masterwork came with an egg hidden in a birds nest, waiting to be opened like a treasure chest. Silence descended on the table whilst we dove in and you could hear nothing but the scraping of knives and groans of delight!

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The egg was exceptional and surpassed the quails egg from the previous course, a hard challenge to beat. The bacon emulsion providing a tang, a nice earthiness and zing supplied by the chorizo and coco bean. The twist on brown sauce was amazing too.

Our final dish on the breakfast tour was Granola, with toasted almonds, English apples and yoghurt:

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I wasn’t expecting a foamed yoghurt but this was delightfully pleasant. It was  a refreshing end to the meal with a balanced apple compote peppered with hidden huge blueberries.

After our big repast, Wifey and I patted our contented bellies and with goodbyes done, started the day with a sense of contentment. Wifey will definitely be back for another meal soon.

The Birmingham Breakfast Club held a second event last Saturday (28th November) which had a different (but likely no less superb). Luckily, for you readers, Vicky from Brumderland attended and you can read her experience soon!

When: 31/10/2015

Where: Simpsons Restaurant, 20 Highfield Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3DU

Who: Birmingham Breakfast Club, Simpsons Restaurant

 

 

 

Brum Bites – One Life One City @ The Rotunda

You may not believe it but I occasionally do non foodie things around Birmingham, as well as stuffing my face!

As part of BYPY 2015 winner, Katie Kershaw‘s One Life One City Project, a few weeks back on a Friday lunchtime, I had the chance to take a break from the day job and do something a little different.

Continue reading “Brum Bites – One Life One City @ The Rotunda”

Blooming Marvellous Art & Grub – BMAG & Edwardian Tea Room

Not your typical invite for a foodie event but the team at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG for us locals) wanted to show off their Edwardian Tea Room and a few new galleries as part of their update.

Wifey & I had visited the tea rooms prior as part of Birmingham Cocktail Weekend and we’re big fans of the ‘Birmingham: its people, its history’ exhibit.

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Continue reading “Blooming Marvellous Art & Grub – BMAG & Edwardian Tea Room”

Brum Bites – Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

You may not believe it but I occasionally do non foodie things around Birmingham, as well as stuffing my face.

On the same day as Day 1 of  Birmingham Independent Food Fair 2015 as part of Birmingham Heritage Week, Hidden Spaces opened up Curzon Street railway station to the public. Wifey, I, and a few friends went for a poke around.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

The building, though vacant, hasn’t lost its imposing stature

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

An astounding triple height ceiling with a recently refurbished octagonal skylight

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

The mummified cat was absent, perhaps it had found another life.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Backstory on the station.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Down into the basement

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Looks like the party finished a long time ago.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Hidden spaces signage in the old phone exchange room.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Looks like the keys to half of Birmingham!

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Breakfast menu for the long gone Rosa’s cafe; if it was open now, a bacon and sausage sandwich for 60p would put Mr Egg to shame.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

The old phone exchange box featuring logo from the 80’s!

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Other parts of the basement.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Old yellow bin! Remember them?

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

View over Eastside

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Conservation award from 1984, shame the conservation did not carry on.

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Better view of the octagonal skylight

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Boarded (and broken) windows

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Better view of Eastside with Bullring and Beetham Tower in the distance

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Rotunda

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

First floor balcony

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

View up to the second floor, with some 60’s spot lights

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Back outside

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

View from across the road

Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station
Hidden Spaces at Curzon Street Station

Hopefully, HS2 will help to restore this architectural gem back to its former glory. Our tour was done, now back to the Birmingham Independent Food Fair.

When: 12/09/2015

Where: Curzon Street Station, Birmingham

Who: Hidden SpacesBirmingham Heritage Week