Birmingham Bites!
Apr 6, 2025 | 12:40 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Birmingham Bites!
Welcome to the trip report that goes nowhere!
I have just arrived in Birmingham for a week of meetings and for once I am staying in the city rather than out in the HIE near the office close to the NEC.
This gives me the opportunity to try out a few new restaurants so I thought I’d fire up a little report. There may be interesting sights along the way but basically expect one lash up a night for the next five nights
But, I get ahead of myself. I’ve just arrived in Birmingham from Sibiu - To Sibiu by Star Alliance and I am staying at the Holiday Inn close to new street station. I had received a mail earlier in the day that they had upgraded me to a suite which is lovely and spacious and of which I will see very little
I have just arrived in Birmingham for a week of meetings and for once I am staying in the city rather than out in the HIE near the office close to the NEC.
This gives me the opportunity to try out a few new restaurants so I thought I’d fire up a little report. There may be interesting sights along the way but basically expect one lash up a night for the next five nights
But, I get ahead of myself. I’ve just arrived in Birmingham from Sibiu - To Sibiu by Star Alliance and I am staying at the Holiday Inn close to new street station. I had received a mail earlier in the day that they had upgraded me to a suite which is lovely and spacious and of which I will see very little
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 6, 2025 at 3:27 pm
Apr 6, 2025 | 12:48 pm
#2
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
The restaurant of choice for this evening is SIX by NICO. Sunday night was not ideal but it was the only night available this week.
At the moment they are doing an Italian special
When asked if I would like to try either the wine or the cocktail pairing there was only one possible answer….
At the moment they are doing an Italian special
When asked if I would like to try either the wine or the cocktail pairing there was only one possible answer….
Apr 6, 2025 | 12:54 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
The drinks pairings only start with the second course so I ordered an old fashioned, and it is GOOD
Course 1 was not quite as per the menu above, no truffle honey, instead there is homemade ricotta with basil oil. Basil oil seemed a poor choice and it remained on the plate
Course 1 was not quite as per the menu above, no truffle honey, instead there is homemade ricotta with basil oil. Basil oil seemed a poor choice and it remained on the plate
Apr 6, 2025 | 12:58 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Course 2, and the accompanying wine and cocktail, are as per the menu above.
Light and delicious raviolo and I may have muttered “damned that’s good” at the second mouthful
I preferred the cocktail to the wine for this course, it was lighter, brighter, and fresher. That said, I was in no way disappointed by the wine, it was just surpassed by the cocktail.
Light and delicious raviolo and I may have muttered “damned that’s good” at the second mouthful
I preferred the cocktail to the wine for this course, it was lighter, brighter, and fresher. That said, I was in no way disappointed by the wine, it was just surpassed by the cocktail.
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 6, 2025 at 1:03 pm
Apr 6, 2025 | 1:13 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Course three is the lamb. This is served two-tiered with the potato and beans in the bowl below
The cocktail wins the day again but honestly a bourbon sour was never going to lose, I do love my bourbon. The aim with these drinks is to accentuate the smoked potato rather than the Lamb.
The cocktail wins the day again but honestly a bourbon sour was never going to lose, I do love my bourbon. The aim with these drinks is to accentuate the smoked potato rather than the Lamb.
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 6, 2025 at 3:28 pm
Apr 6, 2025 | 1:42 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Course four is the sea bass with octopus sausage. I could not tell you if there was octopus in the sausage or not but it is a triumph of a dish, and I do not say that lightly. The sea bass stands alone and served without the sausage you would be very happy. The sausage adds a whole panoply of complimentary flavours, absolutely outstanding.
Again it is the cocktail that takes the lead. I get that they’re trying to match to the sausage with the red wine but for me there’s too much tanin in the mix.
Again it is the cocktail that takes the lead. I get that they’re trying to match to the sausage with the red wine but for me there’s too much tanin in the mix.
Apr 6, 2025 | 1:52 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
At this point I need to shout out to my server and muse for the evening, Nikola, or Nikki, who is not only informative and knowledgeable on the drinks and dishes, but also an absolute delight and a hoot! She is brilliant and honestly she is making it into one of those memorable evenings.
A slight pause now whilst I finish off the Bicicletta.
And for those of you that already fear for my liver, which, frankly, has been doomed for quite some time, a lot of the wine is going back with only a couple of tastes from each glass simply because the cocktails are so much better up to now.
A slight pause now whilst I finish off the Bicicletta.
And for those of you that already fear for my liver, which, frankly, has been doomed for quite some time, a lot of the wine is going back with only a couple of tastes from each glass simply because the cocktails are so much better up to now.
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 6, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Apr 6, 2025 | 2:04 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
I skipped the finishing touch optional course and have moved on to the ox ballotine. This could be the first win for the wine as the cocktail contains rye whiskey and cherries, both of which are usually a no for me.
A single sip of the cocktail and “YAG!”, no contest whatsoever here, any wine would win out on this head to head
The food smells amazing, despite the appearance of more carrots today
The oxtail was delicious, deep and meaty and perfect with the wine. The carrots returned to whence they came
A single sip of the cocktail and “YAG!”, no contest whatsoever here, any wine would win out on this head to head
The food smells amazing, despite the appearance of more carrots today
The oxtail was delicious, deep and meaty and perfect with the wine. The carrots returned to whence they came
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 6, 2025 at 2:09 pm
Apr 6, 2025 | 2:34 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
I have opted for the extra course of Pecorino Sardo but I’ve asked for it to be delivered side by side with the final desert as the cherry and fennel are off putting, we shall see what we get.
I’d asked Nikki if I should go for the Pecorino Sardo and she was honest that there were mixed reviews based mostly on the portion size. It is a small portion for 9 and I’ll be honest, I do not get it and I would not recommend it. You have grainy cake with sweet honey, cheese, and grape and it just doesn’t work for me.
The semifreddo ricotta is delicious.
I’d asked Nikki if I should go for the Pecorino Sardo and she was honest that there were mixed reviews based mostly on the portion size. It is a small portion for 9 and I’ll be honest, I do not get it and I would not recommend it. You have grainy cake with sweet honey, cheese, and grape and it just doesn’t work for me.
The semifreddo ricotta is delicious.
Apr 6, 2025 | 2:55 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Time to finish off the meal in classic style, a coffee and an XO Brandy and then it will be time to roll down the hill to the hotel.
A thoroughly enjoyable meal and if I don’t immediately fall into a food coma when I get back to the hotel then there is something very wrong
If you are in Birmingham, I can heartily recommend SIX by NICO. Given that the 6 course fixed menu is only 46, it’s a bargain, although obviously if you add all the extras that price increases rapidly. Personally I’d recommend the cocktail pairing, that worked really well for me, far better than the wine.
A thoroughly enjoyable meal and if I don’t immediately fall into a food coma when I get back to the hotel then there is something very wrong
If you are in Birmingham, I can heartily recommend SIX by NICO. Given that the 6 course fixed menu is only 46, it’s a bargain, although obviously if you add all the extras that price increases rapidly. Personally I’d recommend the cocktail pairing, that worked really well for me, far better than the wine.
Last edited by JapesUK; Apr 6, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Apr 6, 2025 | 11:17 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2024
Location: BRN
Programs: AY+ PLAT, (ex BA Gold), SAS GOLD, M&M FTL / *S, IHG Gold, Marriott Plat, SBB GA First Class
Posts: 1,657
Apr 6, 2025 | 11:57 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
Its worth commenting that all the staff were excellent from the chirpy hostess at the door with her hello my darling to the barman that came to check if I would like the brandy glass pre-warmed.
Apr 7, 2025 | 1:59 am
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: BAC GGL, FB Plat, *A Sen, IHG Plat, ITAExec, Hilton Diamond, Radisson VIP, Mucci des repas d'enfant
Posts: 7,880
A couple of sights as a I passed through new street station, firstly this oversized armchair advertising hotel chocolat eggs
And Ozzy, the gigantic steel animatronic bull
I timed it badly and ended up on another cross country he’ll hole of a train. This one was going to Bournemouth, was packed, standing room only, and the first announcement was that there would be no catering for the entirety of the journey. Cross country really are the worst train operator in the UK!
Time for work now, no idea yet what this evening will bring!
And Ozzy, the gigantic steel animatronic bull
I timed it badly and ended up on another cross country he’ll hole of a train. This one was going to Bournemouth, was packed, standing room only, and the first announcement was that there would be no catering for the entirety of the journey. Cross country really are the worst train operator in the UK!
Time for work now, no idea yet what this evening will bring!
