Have you discovered these Italian grapes yet?
Search “Italian grapes” on the internet and at the top of the page appears a piece on the five varieties you apparently NEED to…
Opinion
We WILL meet again… probably in the same place
The drinks were many and varied as we closed the circle of the latest cycle of Covid mayhem. When this year’s first lockdown was…
Vegans no longer seem so weird
Not many years have passed since I mocked vegetarianism in my restaurant reviews, resorting lazily to cliches about its followers and their sandals knitted…
The highs – and lows – of eating out over the past 12 months
Newcomer of the year A close-run race with plenty of newbies adding to Birmingham’s vibrant food scene. But there’s none that I’ve found more…
The German Market – an embarrassment to Brum
The similarities between me and the Baby Lord Jesus are not obvious. But there’s one – we’re both jaundiced at Birmingham’s awful German Christmas…
An homage to Simpsons on its 25th anniversary
With its walls hung with menus by legendary chefs at legendary restaurants, Simpsons set out its stall in those early days. This is a…
Robert Burns and me and a lot of whisky
Robert Burns and I used the same pub. Not at the same time, obviously, for even I wasn’t around in the 18th century. No,…
Don’t give up wine in January – just drink better!
Dry January? What a silly notion. Let’s raise a glass to Discerning January instead. For pity’s sake, who apart from the irredeemably miserable, doesn’t…
The three worst Christmas products I’ve tried
Apparently, ’tis the season to be jolly. Not, however, if you have an ounce of good taste. For the festive season has become a…
Two wines that are perfect partners for curry
Lager (or, in better Indian restaurants, perhaps IPA) are the default setting for most people wondering what to drink with curry. Small wonder, for…