It’s January, it’s cold and miserable, and we’re all a bit skint, but 2015 promises some exciting things for Brum.  We’ve seen a few lists of new places that are opening, but think we’ve got a few more to add in to the pile that the twitterati have yet to mention!

Woktastic – Location to be announced.

As a victim of the Paradise Circus redevelopment, Ali and his team have been temporarily made homeless. Worry not though as they are due to return this year at a great new central location (being kept top secret for now, but we think it is a great spot). If you also know, shhhhhhh!  Ali wants it to be a surprise.  The new venue, we’re told, promises a more upmarket design but Ali assures us the chicken katsu curry will be as good as ever as he’s maintained his existing staff and is paying them whilst they await the new venue’s opening.

YakiNori – 2 locations. Grand Central and 2nd location TBA.

As if he isn’t busy enough, Ali has decided to open 2 additional venues this year. YakiNori is a Noodles, Sushi and Bento Bar and will be opening later in the year than Woktastic when Grand Central opens to the public (currently due September). There is also a second location outside of the city centre, although at the time of writing this venue is yet to be signed.

Fiddle & Bone – Sheepcote St & Canal side

Sherborne Wharf has taken over the  ‘Fiddle & Bone’ pub.  It is situated on Birmingham’s Sheepcote Street and alongside the canal.  They will also be running all of their other operations from the ‘Fiddle & Bone’ pub.  The promise is to be one of the city’s finest gastro pubs with delicious home cooked food, quality real ales and selected wines.  Live music and entertainment will breathe life back into this iconic waterside building for City Dwellers and boaters alike.

The Fiddle & Bone pub and Roundhouse arches will be sympathetically restored and refurbished in such a way to maintain its existing charm.  The exterior canal wall will be lowered and railings put to the same height as now to open up the view of the pub and Roundhouse arches from the canal side.

Marmalade – The Rep Theatre

With six hugely successful venues already spread across Birmingham, and a recent first foray out of the second city to Worcester with their popular South American Cantina brand of Bodega, Bitters ‘n’ Twisted have finally announced details of their newest venue and possibly their most ambitious yet.

Due to open in February 2015 in The Rep at Centenary Square, Matt and the team hope to succeed where Searcy’s didn’t by offering a totally different experience for the location.  Marmalade will be offering bistro style dining with pre-theatre menus being pitched at a pocket friendly £15.95 for 2 courses or £19.95 for 3 courses. Other promised options include bar snacks and light lunches and of course as it’s Bitters ‘n’ Twisted, there will obviously be a range of cocktails available as well as craft bottled beers, local ales and a selection of wines.

Full article can be found here https://outinbrum.com/2015/01/13/preview-marmalade-at-the-rep/

Everyman Cinema & Restaurant – Mailbox

Due to start taking bookings in February 2015, Everyman Mailbox will feature three custom built screens with the highest picture quality and the latest in digital projection, complete with a bar and foyer. All of their other locations offer restaurants and we have seen recruitment advertisements for chefs and kitchen staff so expect the same here. If the existing portfolio is anything to go by you can expect high quality pizzas and possibly burgers too.  But please don’t forget one of our very favourite places in Brum – The Elecctric Cinema (you can’t call yourself a Brummy if you’ve not been).

Big Papas B South at The Sunflower Lounge

One of the newest street food teams to appear in 2014 have proved they can take on the bigger boys by securing a permanent takeover of the kitchens of the made-over and re-launched Sunflower Lounge.

Whilst maintaining their presence at street food events and festivals, they guys are promising their repertoire of hearty southern soul food prepared from scratch. Expect to see dishes like Nashville Yardbird, Mac N Cheese with roasted butternut squash and poached egg, blackened pork chops, and southern fried catfish. You can also expect to see special offer nights like a cinema night with prices including food for 2 and the film. – Due to open January 21st.

Boston Tea Party – Moseley.

BTP are due to open their 3rd location in the city in Moseley this year. This joins the existing premises in Harborne and Corporation Street.

Le Bistrot Pierre – Gas Street.

Le Bistro Pierre promises to capture French culture and love of food. They offer provincial French cooking made with authentic, fresh ingredients, in a unique, relaxed atmosphere.  Established in 1994, they are a privately owned family of 12 bistros located all around Britain.

Cau – Brindley Place

With a menu embracing Buenos Aires’ cuisine, Cau offers a melting pot of comfort food inspired by Italy and Spain alongside the jewel in Argentina’s crown.  Steaks, burgers, and grill sandwiches are joined by a selection of other Argentine favourites.

Master & Margarita – Level 6 The Cube.

Master & Margarita is a new Lounge Bar and Restaurant serving authentic Indian cuisine “tapas style” in what is claimed will be a modern and mischievous designed decor.  Expect your usual wine and cocktails alongside the food

The Mailbox Tavern

Situated in the old Rosie O’Briens unit on John Bright Street. The Mailbox Tavern is due to open later this year and helps to continue the regeneration of what is quickly becoming a vibrant destination. The craft beer drinkers and jerk chicken eaters will, it appears, now have more mainstream venue goers to compete with.

Harvey Nichols – The Mailbox

With the completion of the Mailbox redevelopment due this year and Harvey Nichols moving to their new larger unit within it, this will also bring the opening of their new food offering. Remaining tight lipped at the moment the only clue is that it will be a “concept” restaurant (I swear if it’s another “gentlemen’s club with comfortable fire side chairs” I’ll scream).

Gas Street Social – The Mailbox

As the latest tenants of the vacated Bar Room Bar unit, Gas Street Social are promising us all modern European food with a changing seasonal menu alongside some top end cocktails, decent wines and good selection of local and international beers.

The Botanist – Temple Street

One of the many many brands from the Manchester stalwarts Living Ventures and the first foray back into Brum since their Living Room bar closed. Their most recognised brands to date probably include The Alchemist (one of our favourite hangouts in Manchester), Australasia, and Manchester House.  The Botanist menu offers a wide selection of home made favourites like scotch eggs alongside a wide selection of meats and salads to choose on their deli boards, as well as classic home comfort foods like fish & chips, pies and curry, and a range of dishes from the BBQ or rotisserie.   If the cocktails are anywhere near as good as The Alchemist then we expect good things here.

Amantia – Bennetts Hill

Spanish & Mediterranian food is the offering from the guys at Amantia.   With a proven background in the kitchens of San Carlo and Cucina Rustica, Andrea Retenaga and his wife Marta are going solo in this 80 cover venue.  Due to open near the ever popular Bodega in March, and with the new Cosy Club joining them, this looks like a great year for Bennetts Hill.

Praza by Pushkar – Hagley Road

Taking over the former Rose Muree restaurant on Hagley Road and after a six figure investment, Praza looks set to join the recent openings of The Highfield and The Edgbaston in really raising the game for Edgbaston in the battle for the foodies. Due to open spring.

130 Colmore Row

The latest and top secret venture from the Lasan team. Joining the successful three venues already bringing in great reviews, venue four promises great things. Aktar is keeping tight lipped about what we can expect and some of the rumours are very mouth watering indeed. I suspect we will see something different and new to Brum.

Slug & Lettuce – Harborne High Street.

Not really a lot to say about this. Normally I would not give the opening of a Slug & Lettuce much attention, but as it is replacing The Old Proverbial on the High Street, I for one think this is actually good news.

Cosy Club – Bennetts Hill.

So after months of speculation and rumour as to who had signed up for the former Midland Bank on Bennetts Hill, it has been revealed that The Loungers (of Arco Lounge, Loco Lounge etc) won the race.

ZiZi’s – Brindley Place

Another location for the growing Italian chain. A drinks licence application has been sought for 3 Brindley Place so we can expect this to join their Mailbox location in the City Centre.

So get saving the pennies and planning your nights out!