Excellent Cappuccino, nice and smooth - passed the no sugar test…read more Service is great and the cakes are well up to snuff. Probably the best coffee in town.

I've followed Under Pressure for quite a while, even before it opened when the idea was a mere…read moretwinkle in the eye of the owner. To visit tho' from where I live and work is such a mission I hadn't bothered until today, despite the good reports from a couple of people who's views I'd respect. So there's maybe 4 buses go direct from the city centre to right outside the door and the trip is may 25 minutes or so to Sutton Coldfield. The owner seems a very nice, quietly dedicated chap and he's crafted a chilled place to hang out. When I was there the small room, maybe seating for 14 at a squeeze, was largely full and folks were chatting away. It was a reasonably mixed bunch from yummy mummies (is that a term!) and assorted babies, two laptop types and a few couples. It felt good and that is way harder to achieve than good crema! But it's not that comfortable truth be told, with small, hard stools and chairs, so it's maybe not I place I'd stay in for too long. I liked the simple approach to coffee selection. You can have espresso (black, a bit pricey!) or same with silky smooth, steamed milk. For the milk option you can have 6 oz (to me a flat white) or, I think, 12 oz (so pretty much a Latte). No cappuccino ... but let's be honest, very few staff in Brum can be bothered creating a classic cappuccino: the bigger flat white with half-ar*** latte art impostor has become ubiquitous in most 'third wave' coffee establishment! You can also have a brewed coffee - I think he uses the Kone, which is a very good choice once you know how to use it. He has different beans for brews but I didn't notice what as not my tipple. Beans used for the espresso drinks on my visit where the excellent Workshop Coffee 100% La Ilusion, El Salvador v13 Cult of Done. It's almost a Winter espresso to my mind:a thicker, darker, chocolate, nuts and mildly fruity option than some of their previous efforts and so much more to my own taste. Milk was nice, very smooth; if not quite the best I've had, certainly up to par and at least as good as anywhere in the Birmingham area. Workshop beans ain't cheap even wholesale and really a highly competent barista like this guy could squeeze a great drink from a less expensive, still quality option. He uses a Victoria Arduino which is an interesting change to the La Spaziale and La Marzocco machines more often seen about the city. I'm pretty sure it's a Nuova Simonelli brand these days, but that's a good thing. I had a slice of Beetroot and Chocolate cake ... sounds yuk but is pretty much a Red Velvet if you know that one. Nice and moist, over sweet creamy topping but the base made up for that. Both together £4.50 which was OK. Everything was served with care and unrushed. Customers all seemed happy with the slow pace. Nothing much to eat there tho' so I had to go elsewhere for lunch (bad choice - Cambaz Bar & Chargrill over the road which was snooty and mediocre!) And therein lies the key challenge for Under Pressure! How do you make a viable business, not just flog yourself to stay open, when all you sell is nice coffee and cake? I guess the answers include a limit on customer numbers/covers, work long hours yourself and keep all costs as low as you possibly can. Ideally, you need to attract 'regular people very regularly' not just the once off coffee geeks and offer rather more than cake and coffee. I'm not sure what else he can do, given location, space and number of covers but some lunch time options would work. At the end of the day the balance of running a viable business while keeping standards super high and yourself rested, happy and healthy is a difficult one. I wish him all the luck in the world!

Upper Crust in Sutton is one of those great traditional sandwich takeaway places that offers lots…read moreof good food with minimal fuss. I often grab a sandwich or jacket potato from here and I love the food. They also do breakfast snacks and hot/cold drinks to take away. Not really a place to eat in though there is a small bar area with a couple of stools. They close pretty early everyday so this is really just a breakfast, brunch or lunch place.

Just outside of Sutton town centre, the Upper Crust is a great little baguette shop that does most…read moreof its trade with the nearby college and offices. I've been using this place for just over ten years and their ham and cheese baguettes (no mayo) still taste as good as they always have done, despite quite a sharp rise in price over the years. Whereas its only real contender, Little Hampton Baguettes, went to the wall about eighteen months ago - the Upper Crust maintains the upper hand and if you're stuck for somewhere to grab some takeaway lunch, it's worth the short stroll up the hill to seek out. Plus, if the weather's nice you can stroll back down and eat it in the gardens of Holy Trinity. That's what I do anyway; if you ever see us, give us a wave.

We walk past The Deli around once a week when grocery shopping and finally decided to pop in for a…read moreglass of wine over the weekend. Based on the atmosphere and quality of wine, I love this little spot. It is so cosy. We were the only customers in the store and received superb service. The owner runs this location and a few other shops, plus hosts food tents at festivals during Christmas. She came over to our table and made some wine recommendations and gave us a bowl of crisps on the house. My partner, Seth S., and I both ordered the Pinot Noir from Romania. It was delightfully full-bodied and smooth. The lighting is dimmed just enough to encourage good conversation and a comfortable atmosphere. There are two main rooms for seating, each with groupings of chairs or booths around bistro style tables. The art and decor feel like a brasserie. I would highly recommend The Deli for a delicious glass of wine (or 3) and great conversation with friends.

Breakfast Review:…read more One of the best Full English breakfasts in the Midlands! Its a wonderful deli, on the High Street in Boldmere, with outdoor seating - which is superb when the sun comes out! The breakfasts are awesome. Superb sausages, great bacon, exceptional bread, (the deli sells some of the best bread in Birmingham). 2 succulent sausage, 2 bacon, fried egg, 2 half tomatoes, mushrooms. toast, quality butter. Its one of the best in Birmingham, (I rate it joint 2nd). The staff are great, headed by Pip the owner and her team of assistants, (including sons). The only real problem with this place is that I always spend a fortune on their amazing cheeses, breads, cakes and pate's. Try it. You will thank me!

Not impressed over expensive full of kids avoidread more

Great place for family and kids, tables and chairs are available outside. And it opens til late!read more

First, let me get this out there. I am not a huge fan of Costa's coffees or their preparation. If…read moreyou are a Costa fan, you will find this location perfectly serviceable and lovely. If you are otherwise curious about this ubiquitous chain, read on. Costa opened on Boldmere's 'high street' a little over a year ago in the same busy block as the Bishop Vesey. You'll find professionals and the white hair crowd in the morning, and school kids in the afternoon. The interior uses the latest Costa designs, and is quite comfortable for what it is. There is enough room a respectable number of patrons, but it's not as large as some of their other locations. If you plan to get work done, charge your battery before you drop in since there is little to no outlet access. At its heart, Costa most resembles a British version of Starbucks. They offer basic filter coffee, espresso drinks, tea, sandwiches and cakes, and frozen/blended beverages. My first preference is to patronize local independent coffee shops, but Costa suffices when there is no other alternative and I am in need of a caffeine fix. I've tried Costa all over the country, in fact it was my first cup of coffee when I landed in the UK. With those credentials established, I've noticed a trend at most locations, this one included, that brings down their offerings in my opinion. From lattes, cappuccino, flat whites to espresso, their drinks have this strangely watered-down taste to them. It could be the milk used in espresso based beverages, or the strength of their beans. Either way, it's disappointing, especially with what you end up paying for the coffee.There are several other indie coffee shops in Boldmere I would suggest checking out first, but if their limited hours are an issue or you just really like Costa, you'll find an acceptably average experience here.

This attractive little sweet shop stocks a superb range of chocolates and old-fashioned…read moreconfectionary. The staff offer a very impressive and unique gift-wrapping service, which includes either a store-themed envelope or mini sweet-box to cushion your tasty purchase, and a blank card allowing you to address it to a friend as a present! The shop is well laid-out and acts as part-confectionary store and part-coffee shop, with very reasonable tea and coffee prices and a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. The vibe inside doesn't quite match the old-English splendour of Jen's Sweet Shop next door, but Treat Street's customer service is second to none and it's exclusively diverse stock delves beyond the world of sweets and into rare and unusual chocolate bars. I bought my Aunt a Cointreau flavoured dark cocoa bar as a spontaneous gift. She loved it and I would most definitely shop here again! Kudos to the great staff and even greater products!

Welcome to Treat Street - A traditional sweet shop selling everything you expect from a sweet shop…read moreand more. A totally new way to surprise someone you care about. Treat Street can send your friend or loved one their favourite sweets in the post, imagine their delight when they open them. Simply choose the sweets and ask for one of the special Treat Street Intersweet envelopes and they'll do the rest. They'll even throw in a card for you to sign. Price is dependent on weight. Just ask Jane or Bob for further information.Treat Street have a wide range of beautiful boxes, bows, wrapping and ribbons to create the perfect package for any sweet or chocolate gift or favour. In addition, they have personalised ribbon printer which allows them to create ribbons specifically for your requirements. Imagine...no more gift tags. Prices aren't as expensive as you might think. There's a small cafe too, they don't have an all singing and dancing coffee machine here but they do serve up a proper pot of tea and mug of coffee for a quid.