If you want a dining experience to grab you by the nomads then this is the one for you!…read more We attended the No Rules evening last week held at Urban Coffee in the JQ and were somewhat unsure what to expect, I knew the food was going to be great - Alex has a great reputation - but what would the dinner be? All we knew was the concept was no rules, it was BYOB (bonus!) and it was in the JQ (2nd bonus!). What was delivered was a cacophony of incredible cuisine, 12 (I think) courses of somewhat off the wall culinary delights starting with cocktails (3 differently infused, pickled or coated grapes) through to goats cheese infused gin served with beetroot, pickled cauliflower with wood ants, japanese knotweed and asparagus, the most delicious lamb in a pea sauce and finally ending up with port and cheese like you've never seen it and a dessert cocktail squirted onto your hand (or clothes as Emma was unfortunate enough to get!). There were more course, these are just a few that I can remember. We all left the evening absolutely enthralled with the range of food an techniques used, as well as slightly bemused as to what we'd just experienced. All the tickets for forthcoming No Rules events are probably gone by now but Nomad are doing regular pop-up nights at The Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath, well worth checking out for a truly unique dining experience. The menus are set and change regularly depending on what is ready in their allotment and what their crack team of foragers can dig up (sometimes quite literally!)

Nomad is a new concept from Birmingham based chef, Alex Claridge. As well as a pop up restaurant…read more(currently at Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath), he is running several #NoRules events (where you don't get told the location of the venue until 48 hours beforehand, eat with your hands and pay whatever you think your meal is worth at the end of the night). I managed to bag a free ticket to the first of these evenings and waited with anticipation for the location to be revealed. I received my email notification on the Monday evening (for the event on Wednesday evening). We were allocated Urban Coffee Company in the Jewellery Quarter (literally around the corner from my flat) and advised that the evening would be BYOB. We eagerly wandered down for doors at 7pm and grabbed a table in readiness for a culinary adventure. Although no drinks were for sale on the evening, the fantastic waiters and waitresses were handing out glasses of water and drinking vessels for the patrons to drink their poison of choice (for some this was Pepsi, for others this was whisky). Bang on 7:30pm, the courses started to appear... Well. What can I say? Starting with "cocktails" (grapes which had been soaked in champagne and vermouth and lovely coated with elderflower sugar) the ten courses kept coming... Everything from gin rendered with goats cheese served in pipettes to compliment a serving of fresh beetroot to cauliflower, Japanese knot weed and wood ants (seriously, actual ants); the food was amazing. There were so many highlights, I can't list them all - but the desserts (several courses including reindeer moss, wine gum made of port and the creamiest rice pudding ever made with curds) were outstanding. The concept is "pay what you like" and patrons are invited to interact with Nomad during the night via social media and add their comments to a big sheet of paper provided, it's truly a unique and novel dining experience. If you've got tickets to one of the #Norules events - be prepared to be shocked, amazed and tantalised in equal measure. If you haven't, I encourage you to check out the restaurant (if you can get a reservation). Go, experience, eat and enjoy.

Mobile alternative: 07973 - 779795…read more This came to me via third level recommendation. Never quite sure if what someone else thinks is great will meet your own expectations. Lek Sansom was fantastic. She came with all the cooking utensils, used one of my saucepans. Food had already been prepared, and needed cooking. She was due to arrive at 7 pm, but arrived at 6:45 pm. Not a problem. She tended to find things for herself around the kitchen if she needed anything. Lek provided porcelain serving dishes for the curries, and these came with stands with candles which kept the food warm. This was a dinner party for 8 people. I had to choose three starters and 4 mains, and it was served with boiled rice and spicy noodles. Priced at £25 per head. I chose the following: Starters - King Prawns in Tempura Flour* Spare Ribs in Garlic Chicken Satay** [* Served with Sweet Chilli Sauce - ** Served with Peanut Sauce] All fantastic. Mains - Beef in Red Curry and Coconut Milk Chicken in Green Curry and Coconut Milk Pork Red Paenang Curry with Coconut Milk Stir Fry Vegetables with Cashew Nuts and Spring Onion See website for more choices, plus she does a buffet style too. Lek served the food, cleared for the next course, and washed up. Plus cleaned down the cooker and the splash back too. An absolute perfect server to go with the great food. There was still plenty left over, which Lek found boxes in our cupboards to transfer the food, to let cool and then place in the fridge. The kids sampled it all the next day for Sunday dinner. My son wanted some leftover so he could take the vegetable stir fry to school and eat cold!!!! Unfortunately, we all ate the lot.... Highly recommended.

I can recommend Luke unreservedly. He cooked a fantastic three course meal for our party of eight,…read moreplus canapes. He arrived on time, laid a superb table, quietly and efficiently got on with preparing and serving delicious food. I found him a tad slow to communicate but as a chef I can't fault him and would engage him again if we're in the area.

From the owner: We offer a private dining experience from the comfort of your own home or guest accommodation. We…read moretravel the length of the country providing our guests with amazing experiences they will never forget. Each menu is tailored to the guest needs so it really gives that personal feel to the evening. Other services we offer include: Product Launches, Canapé Parties, Events, Afternoon Tea, Traditional & Contemporary Buffets.

Superb pop up restaurant by Ben Tesh in the urban coffee company. That man is seriously talented. I…read morewent there on a Yumzee event and even though the menu said 6 courses we really had 9!! I went for the vegetarian one and literally every single dish was delicious. I loved the cauliflower main, both desserts were heavenly and even the bread was amazing. I'll let the pics speak for themselves. It's great food for half the price of what you would usually pay. Definitely go and support that brilliant chef, he is lovely and has an amazing crew including the lovely Lucy. I've never been so fascinated by the presentation either. The meals came in beautiful egg like Bowles which made it all even more special! Recommend!!!

After much deliberation and going round the houses to select a caterer, we settled on Seasons…read morePantry. Russell's communication speed was second to none and along with a lovely proposal assured us we were in safe hands. The food was exceptionally presented. They arrived on time, set up with out fuss and were on hand throughout the party, looking after guests. They cleaned up and took everything away with them. A big thank you from the Hayward household. We will be booking for our party in the summer.

From the owner: With 5 star ingredients from some of the countries best suppliers, we are determined to do them…read morejustice and spread joy through the medium of food. Honesty is our best policy and this starts with your first interaction with us, all the way to the dinner plate. You'll know where you stand, and what you're eating. We are speedy communicators and we are always on hand to answer your questions, anytime.