But in one of those curious coincidences it appears that today is also the 150 year anniversary of the birth of J.M. Barrie — the creater of Peter Pan. I wonder if the two men ever met? Tagore was a famous traveller and meeter (sic) of people so it’s not beyond the realms of imagination, particularly two such vivid ones.

“The most useless are those who never change through the years.” –J.M. Barrie

“Not hammer strokes, but dance of the water, sings the pebbles into perfection.” –Rabindranath Tagore

By EG Focus (via Flickr)

Actually there was a rumble but mostly in my belly when I went to the first of these restaurants, Bank.   From the moment we walked into the modern, elegant and spacious surroundings the service was impeccable.  The staff were attentive, friendly and most importantly relaxed.  We got there a bit early and sat in the bar area for a while and weren’t rushed to our table at the time it had been booked for, although it should be added that it was early and the place wasn’t too crowded.

I had a starter of mussels and although it was described as a small portion I got a fair few which was a good thing as they were delicious.  I honestly haven’t tasted mussels that good since having some on a trip to Brussels many years ago.  Other’s at the table had Thai Fish Cakes and the Chili Squid and these were equally impressive.  For the main I went for the catch of the day – which was a Lemon Sole, cooked with capers and butter.  Absolute genius food!  Others in the Party had Malayan Chicken – delicious!, Confit of Duck – delicious! and the Fish and Chips – delicious!.  The food was presented beautifully.  I finished off the meal with a selection of excellent cheeses.

By ell brown (via Flickr)

A couple of weeks after that thoroughly delicious trip to Bank I was lucky enough to be treated to a meal at Edmunds by Mrs Bongo Vongo.  It’s a much smaller place and in keeping with it’s description of itself as a place for fine dining the setting is more formal than Bank with full silver service.  The tables glisten with cutlery of many descriptions accompanied by a host of sparkling glasses.  The plates, tables and artwork on the walls are coordinated in colour and pattern and all very tastefully put together.  All this ever so slightfully intimidating taste is mitigated by friendly front of house staff who, as in any place with genuine class, put you at ease with their polite and attentive service.

It was one of those really cold days earlier this month and I saw and went for a warming Risotto of wild mushrooms with truffle oil & parmesan starter.  Before that got to us though there was served some complimentary freshly made light crispy cheesy twists with guacamole  — yum!  My risotto didn’t waste any time getting to me and it was just right, al dente and delicious.  After this there was another surprise complimentary morsel, a small pumkin soup with crunchy toasted sunflower seeds.  For my main I had Halibut with mussels, winter vegetables & a tarragon shallot butter. All perfectly cooked but the  tarrogon shallot butter was the genious touch.  The missus had the Buttered puff pastry,with breast of cornfed chicken, confit of chicken leg, braised celery & chicken jus which in keeping with the culinary trend of the moment featured chicken cooked in three ways.  As at Bank, I finished things off with Chef’s selection of English cheeses with wafer biscuits and a fine selection it was too.

It was a good fight — a thrilla near the villa (yeah I know it’s nowhere near the Villa ground but hey) — and I think we’re really lucky in Brum to have a number of great places to eat all around Brindleyplace.  In the final count though, owing to a combination of thrilling food and excellent service, in a closely fought culinary contest I have to give the decision to Bank.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market enlivens the heart of Birmingham yet again this year and whoever it was who first thought of inviting these guys over should be very pleased with themselves. For yet again it’s a hit with brummies, West Midlanders and possibly other Midlanders everywhere (I was in deepest Hagley last night and even the locals there were raving about it).

This year it’s bigger than ever stretching from Centenary Square through Victoria Square and down New St almost as far as Stephenson St. The city fathers have dusted off last year’s attractive Christmas lights and adorned the lamposts and spaces in between them to form a dazzling canopy of electric blue. A perfect accompaniment to the kitschy colours of the German Market.

A few days ago, while enjoying a wander through the Market one of the people I was with wondered why we don’t have evening markets during other times of the year. I know we have farmers markets there quite regularly but these don’t extend to the evenings. I think a French Spring Market or a Spanish Summer Market would be a further great addition to the Brum calendar.

So,

Starwars + Halloween = Solaris ?

The changes in the rules governing what occurs to treasure finds such as this means that instead of going straight to the British Museum it will first be offered to local museums if they can raise the money. Before that though, it will be on display at a local museum for three weeks and happily that museum happens to be our very own BM&AG. Judging by the long queues formed outside and around the corner of the museum there are many locals who are glad of it.

No doubt the breathlessness experienced by the treasure finder was due to it’s great historical significance but I can’t help but think that it might just be partially due to the seven figure reward that both he and the owner of the land it was found upon are now due.

I’m not sure if Birmingham Museum will be able to afford the cost of keeping it within the boundaries of Old Mercia; I sincerely hope they can.

English Defence League advertises Muslim Matrimonial Service

You may recall, the EDL were those jolly chaps who came visiting Birmingham a couple of weekends ago and were met enthusiastically by a coilition of anti-fascists and ‘locals’.

If proof were needed that the powers that rule over this universe (or Google) have a sense of humour then surely here it is.

Just got back from Italy and back to e-life — I was never a big fan of Italy, at least not in the same way I have been of say Spain. Having said that, I’ve supported the football team at various world cups, where England weren’t involved, and enjoy the food well enough. I’ve even driven and loved an italian car (ahhh blessed Bella God rest her Panda soul).

Add to those a general interest in ancient history and it seems odd that I’d never been before. But persuaded by my better half, we went to Tuscany and I think I’m now a fan of the land.

I suppose Tuscany and ‘Chiantishire’ are quite aspirational destinations and certainly the prices attest to that but there you are.

Great weather, fine food and stunning architecture and scenery … But all of that matters not so much for me as the real reason for my conversion to a italiaphile …

The TV is full of moon landing programs and I love it!

Tucked away to the side of the library theatre in central Brum is a Yo Sushi wannabe called Woktastic.

I’ve been meaning to go there for some time but a combination of the other half’s suspicions of all things Japanese and the alarming orange colour that seems to dominate has meant I’ve not managed to get there.

Fortunately, during last week’s International Food Festival, we got a taste of the tempura squid and that prompted us to try the Orangey-Japanesey-foody place.

I’m happy to report that the all you can eat nigiri and sushi buffet did not dissappoint although the everlasting Japanese green tea only seemed to stretch to two cups each.

We went to Piccolinos in Brindley Place a couple of days ago and on the whole it was a very pleasant experience.

It was a balmy evening and Oozell Square with it’s quartet of restaurants — Ikon, Thai Edge, Cielo and Piccolinos –was buzzing with diners enjoying their meals.

We ordered some bread and calamari for starters. The bread was fine enough, nothing special, however the calamari was excellent. The staff were at this stage courteous, knowledgable, attentive and unobtrusive and we had no complaints with the service when our mains were brought out. I ordered a mushroom and cheese pasta dish which was supurb and my better half enjoyed a beautifully cooked crispy duck and apple dish.

Unfortunately the service just fell away towards the end of our meal with no one paying us much attention when we were in the mood for a desert. Which is a shame as it meant that they missed out as I expect did we.

Would we go again? … Yes but we’ll get a seat inside where they might be less inclined to forget about us.