http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/ Food and drink news. Read news and reviews on restaurants in Birmingham, bars and eateries across the West Midlands area. Wine reviews and lots more. en-gb http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/best-buys-97319-20878847/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/best-buys-97319-20878847/ The Boekenhoutskloof winery in South Africa is a famous producer. Its Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon (£5.24 down from £6.99) and Sauvignon (£4.49 down from £5.99) offer a cut-price glimpse of that star quality at Sainsbury's until May 13. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/cocktail-of-the-week-97319-20878848/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/cocktail-of-the-week-97319-20878848/ CRANBERRY HIGHBALL http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/ingredient-of-the-week-97319-20878849/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/ingredient-of-the-week-97319-20878849/ The broad bean is a neglected vegetable, which is a shame because it has a robust flavour and is full of protein, phosphorous and vitamins A and C. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/matching-your-bbq-food-with-good-wine-97319-20878851/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/matching-your-bbq-food-with-good-wine-97319-20878851/ IT'S not hearing the first cuckoo, nor t he growl of countless petrol mowers coughing into life, but the wafting smoke of a million barbecues over garden fences across the nation, that finally confirms the beginning of the English summer. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/perfect-partners-97319-20878853/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/perfect-partners-97319-20878853/ SPRING LAMB AND WINE http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/the-church-tavern-church-road-perry-barr-97319-20878854/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/the-church-tavern-church-road-perry-barr-97319-20878854/ THE Church Tavern has for a long time been a family-fun pub with a wacky warehouse, a child friendly policy, large family dining area and lots of bright lights and bubble gum machines. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/the-mash-house-the-waters-edge-brindeyplace-97319-20878855/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/the-mash-house-the-waters-edge-brindeyplace-97319-20878855/ ONLY wimps don't like sausages and mash. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/they-seek-him-here-they-seek-him-there-foodies-seek-him-everywhere-97319-20878856/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/they-seek-him-here-they-seek-him-there-foodies-seek-him-everywhere-97319-20878856/ CRISP baguette, some smelly cheese, a few slices of garlicky sausage and a salad or two. Maybe a fruit tart for dessert. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/wythall-fish-bar-station-road-wythall-97319-20878857/ Wed, 07 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/08/wythall-fish-bar-station-road-wythall-97319-20878857/ CONSIDERING the area's rural charms, it's amazing to see some inner city-style concrete bollards outside of this lovely shop. But the chips are so good, they're probably handy for keeping a clearway close to the door at peak times when the shop will have five-star potential. Served on a relatively quiet night by a happy lady keen to watch some European football (my kind of woman), a cone of fine chips weighed in at 320g on my in car-scales. At just 80p, a second helping was mighty tempting. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/bank-4-brindleyplace-birmingham-0121-633-4466-97319-20846656/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/bank-4-brindleyplace-birmingham-0121-633-4466-97319-20846656/ WHY, when good ingredients have been cooked well and served by competent, charming staff, should I have left Bank without a feeling of warmth? http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/best-buys-97319-20846657/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/best-buys-97319-20846657/ From New Zealand, Marlborough Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2007 (Majestic, £7.49 but down to £4.99 if you buy two), is perfect for spring, with punchy, invigorating, ripe, limey fruit in abundance. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/cocktail-of-the-week-97319-20846658/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/cocktail-of-the-week-97319-20846658/ GIMLET http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/dimples-make-a-great-impression-97319-20846659/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/dimples-make-a-great-impression-97319-20846659/ EVERYONE knows dimples are cute. But did you know they can help make sure your chicken is cooked perfectly? http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/ingredient-of-the-week-97319-20846661/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/ingredient-of-the-week-97319-20846661/ WINNER of last year's World Cheese Award for Best Italian Cheese, Gorgonzola takes its name from the village of - yes, you've guessed it - Gorgonzola, near Milan. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/perfect-partners-97319-20846662/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/perfect-partners-97319-20846662/ MUSHROOM RISOTTO AND BAROLO http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/sutton-s-fish-bar-walmley-road-sutton-coldfield-97319-20846663/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/sutton-s-fish-bar-walmley-road-sutton-coldfield-97319-20846663/ NOTHING ever beats service with a smile. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/the-malt-house-75-king-edwards-road-brindleyplace-birmingham-97319-20846664/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/the-malt-house-75-king-edwards-road-brindleyplace-birmingham-97319-20846664/ THIS Spirit pub is surely missing the biggest PR trick in the city. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/wine-tourism-has-really-taken-off-97319-20846665/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/05/01/wine-tourism-has-really-taken-off-97319-20846665/ THE film Sideways may have given wine tourism a shot in the arm - while not doing very much for sales of merlot. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/04/24/a-taste-of-italy-left-a-spring-in-my-step-97319-20812354/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/04/24/a-taste-of-italy-left-a-spring-in-my-step-97319-20812354/ MANY are the Italian restaurants I've tried in this country. Few are those that have left me skipping with joy. http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/04/24/be-proud-of-english-wine-97319-20812355/ Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/food-and-drink/2008/04/24/be-proud-of-english-wine-97319-20812355/ IT'S time to raise a toast to all things English this week, what with the Queen's birthday, Charles and Camilla in Brum and then St George's Day to inspire an overflow of national pride.