Independent *and* Resplendent

You're right, there aren't enough independents in Birmingham. But there are rather more than you'd think and they need you! So as it's Independent Month in our town right now, we're taking a gallop through a whole bunch of chain-free options in the city centre to keep you fed, watered, clothed and maybe even entertained. If you can, switch out a regular stop off for an indie today?

EAT INDEPENDENT
Breakfast, lunch, tea and every other inbetweeny food iteration is covered off wherever you are in the month on budget. From old school all day breakfasting at the ever so cheery Grand Central Kitchen (consistently rated in Brum's Top 3 on Trip Advisor) to Yorks' tip-top brunch menu which runs right through until 4pm at weekends, to overnight oats from Great Western Arcade's new kid, Morridge, the AM's looking almost rudely bright. Talking of new kids, we're rather taken with Kuula Poke's bowls of summery goodness for lunch right now. From £6.85, whatever protein you pick (salmon, tuna, chicken or tofu) be sure to go very big on toppings. For quick feeds, the hothead burger (chicken thigh in Nashville hot seasoning, £8.50) at Bonehead gets our dimpled chad. Or for very quick feeds, it's all about Tiger Bites Pig. Red braised pork belly bao with stir fried pickled mustard greens, peanuts and coriander (£4.50) will fix pretty much everything. At the other end of the gastronomic spectrum is the tasting menu at Mich-starred Adam's. Get dishes like the Creedy Carver chicken with leek, mushroom and proper crispy skin as part of the seven-course tasting carte (£95). 

DRINK INDEPENDENT
When you say the names Faculty, Urban, Java and Yorks, there really isn't much excuse to be going any way other than independent for your morning cup of Joe. As for the rest of the day, you can try all the wines, in taster measures at Loki. If you'reout out, it would seem remiss not to have Nocturnal Animals on your must-hit list. And your must-hit drink? Their N.A.F.O.F. (or Not Another F**king Old Fashioned) which uses Wood Reserve bourbon and some spicy aromatics to give the classic just enough of a twist to keep things all new fangled and interesting. If you're in a laid-back place, don't forget Cherry Reds, which is a crowd-pleaser for a reason. And if you're looking for the next bit of newness in terms of drinksy happenings, the fit out for The Good Intent, a not for profit real ale bar, is most conspicuously happening in the Great Western Arcade. The team are looking at an Autumn launch.

DO INDEPENDENT
Ping pong, shoot 'em up or Pac-Man with intent at Kongs, where table football and plenty of live music are the order of the day and the night. Though you'll find pinball machines at the Hill Street giant, if those little metal balls of joy are your poison, coffee house and craft beer joint, Tilt, is where you're going to want to be. For a bit of useful, how's about Shepherds barber, Piccadilly Arcade's cobblers, jewellers or tailors. And on culture, it's always worth putting your head in at Medicine, a bakery, a cafe, a gallery and an event space. We wrote words about Fraser McGee's current photographic exhibition, which is free and continues until August 5.

SHOP INDEPENDENT
Buy less and buy better is a mantra we've been having a whirl at. From Bare Bones chocolate at Hedge, to properly excellent Vinylize glasses from Glimpse Opticians, to top-shelf sort of balsamic from Anderson & Hill, it's going rather well so far. Now if only we could keep a pair of sunglasses long enough to justify a further investment in eyewear this summer. In terms of sartorial statements, a giant ASOS order ain't really going to cut it. But maybe keep Autograph or Onu in mind the next time you're looking for a long-term wardrobe addition. Go get 'em, tiger.