Emily Bridgewater's Profile Page

 

My other half and I started with a plate of mixed sushi. I'm the first to admit I'm something of a novice when it comes to eating sushi and still find it an acquired taste and texture, but this was exemplary. I particularly liked the tuna sashimi and the maki rolls filled with tempura prawns and was pleasantly suprised by the octopus nigiri. It was all washed down with mango and apple juice, which was freshly squeezed, foamy, and a far cry from the processed, syrupy J2O-type drink I'd been expecting. We both agreed it felt like it was doing us some good. Prawn crackers sprinkled liberally with togarashi followed. They were light and flavorsome and filled the gap between the arrival of our main courses. I chose the TeppanYaki Soba, a delicious noodle dish with marinated chicken, jumbo prawns, red onion, beansprouts, egg and peppers. Satisfying and well-balanced I could not have asked for more. I was especially impressed by the texture of the prawns, which were tender, juicy and not at all chewy. The other side of the table was very quiet as he munched through his Beef chilli soba. He later admitted that the chilli heat was little uncompromising. "The clue is in the name," I quipped. I think it was just an excuse to order ice-cream for pudding. But this was no ordinary ice-cream. Grey in colour, it looked a bit unappealing, but this belied a taste revelation. Flavored with Japanese black sesame seeds it was creamy, rich and moreish, similar in texture to tahini in Middle Eastern cooking. By the time we scooted out of the restaurant the place was almost full and the atmosphere lively. I hope this run of good fortune continues for Ali and his team, because they really deserve it.

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SOME people just aren't affected by the credit crunch, it seems.
In Birmingham these said people seemed to descend on The White Swan in Edgbaston for Sunday lunch yesterday.
The gastropub was so busy with well-heeled clientèle that my better half and I were told we'd have to wait an hour for a table, or could order from a limited menu in the bar area.
Tummies rumbling we chose the latter.
As we awaited our roast dinners I heard a neatly coiffed woman saying into her mobile phone, 'Yes, yes, well, I am in the local drinking a glass of Champagne on my own before I head home".
How very decadent.
However, the food was worth the attack of the green-eyed monster.
My spit-roast chicken with sage stuffing, fresh bread sauce and seasonal veggies was mouthwatering. The cinnamon-spiked braised red cabbage was particularly memorable and the roast potatoes gave good crunch. The only let down was the gloopy apple sauce, but I guess that's my own fault for wanting apple sauce and chicken.

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'ALL you need is love', sang the Beatles.
None a truer word spoken. Especially on your birthday.
And while I was lucky enough to be lavished with love on my birthday, I was also treated to a meal at Loves, Birmingham's newest fine dining restaurant - and that was rather good too.

The boy and I visited when the restaurant, situated on Canal Square, was just ten days old, but with slick service there was little evidence (apart from maitre d' Claire Love's sheer excitement) of its infancy.
An amouse bouche of butternut squash and goat's cheese foam was exemplary, as was the fresh bread.
I opted for the starter of tuna sashimi and beetroot, although i was informed early on that the tuna had been replaced by crayfish. I was happy either way, and the flavours were as sublime as the presentation.

The boy adored his Jerusalem artichoke risotto which was light but still unctuous and creamy.
A smooth and fruity Riesling accompanied our starters well, but also proved complimentary to our mains; mine of tender venison, and his of halibut with langoustine.
A cute copper-bottomed saucepan of creamy mashed potato was a welcome addition to the table, seeing as the portions are fairly dinky.
As I was the birthday girl, a chocolate dessert was the order of the day which - once again - tasted superb. Meanwhile, the boy failed to share his poached pineapple and coconut, a sure sign of his delight.

Perfect handmade petit fours and good decaf coffee rounded off a perfect evening.
Loves opened too late to gain entry into the Michelin, or Good Food guides.
However, Claire told us that she and husband chef Steve were glad of their timing because it would give them time to settle in before the next round of inspector's visits.
If Loves fails to get a Michelin star next year, I'll eat my hat.

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