Issue 119
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SPA WARS: THE INFLATABLE FACE REST STRIKES BACK

As you can't fail to have noticed if you've switched on a TV or - you know - left the house - nothing in particular is happening on February 14. Just like last year. And if that's really not going to be an acceptable position come Sunday, quell that rising sense of panic with a deep breath and the purchase of a spa treatment. You can inject the requisite level of thoughtfulness by picking between the following.
BE BAKED IN MUD, MAN-STYLE, AT THE CLUB AND SPA
Men like spa treatments. We know this because our editor hit up the Club and Spa for a hot Aroma Moor Mud Back Ritual and he hasn't stopped droning on about how well he's slept ever since. Speaking of sleeping, you should follow up your treatment with the world's finest nap, in a sleeping pod suspended from the ceiling (pictured above).
Tip: 20% off throughout February.
GET PUMMELLED AT &BEAUTY
We know, you've been to John Lewis. But did you venture far enough to find &Beauty? Nestled behind the reassuringly large array of bags on the second floor, the full-service salon has four treatment rooms and a supremely impressive product range. Try the relaxing full body massage with orange and neroli, created by uber organic Pinks Boutique. &Beauty is their sole Brum stockist. Book.
Tip: Pick Pinks balm, not lotion.
AND BREATHE... AT HOTEL DU VIN
For unbridled you time, HdV's spa is the champion of the world - okay - Birmingham. Included in all treatments is use of a luxuriant gown and access to the team's relaxation room, which you really should leave time to enjoy. Total Holistic Body Care is a 90 minute treatment including back, neck and scalp massages as well as body brushing. It's our idea of perfect. £75.
Tip: Ask for Cora.
BEAUTY ON A BUDGET AT UCB
Unlike bargain tattoos, bargain spa sessions can end well. UCB's training spa adeptly named - The Spa - offers greatly reduced rates for a host of treatments, including the Dermalogica Electrotherapy facial, said to do most excellent things for all the ominous bits of your life-weary mug. Be exfoliated, massaged, wrapped or tanned from as little as £5. Price list.
Tip: Term time only; book early.
RAPID LUXURY AT ONE DAY SPA
Hidden in the Great Western Arcade is a spa we'd thoroughly recommend you spend as much time in as possible. But even if ten minutes is as much as you can spare, the indie team have an eminently lunch breakable express menu. Try a 10 or 20 minute version of the deep pressure point massage and we guarantee your day will improve lickety-split.
Tip: Arrive early for comp'ed drinks.
GET MEDICAL AT MEDISPA
It's that age old problem, you've been looking for a spa where you can get an intravenous vitamin infusion, lymphatic drain and facial peel all at the same time. Santai EF MEDISPA offers the most extensive range of treatments we've seen in these here parts. And for the slightly less interventionist among you, there's a pool, a salt cave and heated loungers. More.
Tip: Don't miss the outdoor hot tub.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK: DEADPOOL


We bring sad-making news. Zoolander 2 is a bit terrible. And although we got carried away, mentioning it three times in last week's issue, we have to remember that our job is to recommend you movies and, alas, having seen it, we do not recommend it. It feels like they wrote it in a week, during their spare time, while watching something else. And watching something else is, sadly, exactly what you should do. More worth your time is Deadpool, a would-be subversive superhero flick that isn’t nearly as clever as it thinks it is, but raises more than enough belly laughs. Ryan Reynolds stars as the eponymous ‘merc with a mouth’ who embarks on the usual quest for vengeance after being left disfigured. The twist is, he’s aware he’s in a superhero movie, and there are gags-a-plenty about the genre’s conventions – but oddly, none on the pretty familiar story at its core. Still, Reynolds was born to play this character, and if the occasional gag falls flat, no matter – you’re never more than seconds away from a dozen more. Times & trailer
Venue: Amantia, 9-10 Bennetts Hill, B2 5RS; website 
Choice: Pulpo a la Gallega (£8.95) Chooser: Owner

A full year after it opened, we were tempted back to Amantia by balloon glasses full of specialist gin (and tonic), together with busy plates of paella. And while both were most pleasing, it was the 'while you wait' tapas that owner, Marta, recommended that had us making holiday plans with an ardent focus on Galicia - the place where octopus go to live, and then fairly promptly die. With velvety, porous meat the slippery little octy-legged beauties carry flavour like a parched camel carries water, taking on deep, smoky paprika hues - and - thanks to an on form kitchen, reaching the table with the right amount of bite and not a hint of chewiness. In terms of portion size, Amantia are as generous as they can be for the price. Though they barely break even on the dish, Marta is adamant that she won't reduce the serving. Probably best try it before she changes her mind. Menu

ONE LOCATION,
218 TRAMPOLINES


Jump Nation is the proud owner of some of the biggest trampoline centres in Europe. It's Midlands edition opens on Saturday and as well as including 218 trampolines, has a half pipe and the ability for you to play souped-up dodgeball. Here's how it will probably look. Hurl yourself against everything but the ceiling for £8.95 or bounce your way to fitness through a group class.

BLOODY MARYS.
LOTS OF THEM.


In Brum's ongoing game of brunch top trumps, Bar Opus has played a humdinger of a card. Get bottomless Bloody Marys every Saturday from 10am complete with Chase vodka, Pip's Hot Sauce, lava salt and rosemary - as well as some of the more usual suspects. Bar manager, Sam Cross, takes the day-saver of a tipple at an 8/10 on the fiery scale and is all about robust flavours - like the rosemary. Get infinite quantities of the red giant for £12.50. Saturday menu.

FLOATING MEDITATION: SOCKS NOT INCLUDED


Get some office-winning Monday morning chat with a dose of floating meditation, which kicks off its 2016 term this Sunday. Under the guidance of CircusMash, swaddle yourself in an aerial hammock and let Under the Bodhi Tree take care of the meditative portion of proceedings. There'll be candles - and - we're guessing, the kind of relaxation you're unlikely to have experienced since reaching adulthood. From £10 per session. More.
  • The planning is through and building work set to commence - real bread is coming to Harborne, Peel & Stone style. Here's a video.
  • Try a one-off beer produced by a collaboration of Tilt and Northern Monk Brew Co as part of their Meet The Brewer evening, which starts at 7pm at Tilt's 2 City Arcade HQ, Feb 18
  • Zoe Lyons is headlining UoB's Bramall on Feb 18. Tickets are £5 in advance and Bare Bones Pizza are taking care of food, from 6.30pm
  • It might be February but we're still going to the gym. You can read about it and everything
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"If you could build a house on a trampoline, that would suit me just fine." - Alan Rickman
WORDS: Katy Drohan, Jordyn NewtonAndrew LowryTom Cullen 

I Choose Birmingham, Unit 317, Zellig, Gibb Street, Birmingham, B9 4AA

Copyright © 2016 Birmingham Publishing Group Ltd, All rights reserved.


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