|
|
|
|
|
FILM OF THE WEEK — THOR: RAGNAROK
The Marvel factory here delivers one of its funniest episodes, thanks largely to the inspired decision to hire director Taika Waititi. Fully leaning into the Thor sub-universe’s inherent Flash Gordon-ness, this third film sees Thor and Loki’s long-lost sister Hela, released from her spectral prison – don’t think about it too hard, the movie definitely doesn’t. She sets about bringing the viking apocalypse of the title to Thor’s homeworld, but the real fun is seeing Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston flex their comic chops as they both find themselves exiled onto an alien world governed by Jeff Goldblum’s space tyrant-cum-Ibiza lifer. You may not have known you needed Goldblum DJing as he presides over the torture of alien underlings, but trust us – you do. Times
|
|
PUMPKINS AND PATTIES AND PIES, OH MY!
In what's already being called Stirchley's famous pumpkin party, OPM meets Wine Freedom meets pumpkin pies, and they'll be convening at Caneat cafe on Halloween. Small person friendly in the day (from 12pm) and ramping up the orange wine and pumpkin spiced beers in the eve-tide (from 5pm), there'll be a masterclass in pumpkin carving from the people who designed the ruddy interior at Caneat. Think all of the orange. And there'll be Captain Beefheart burgers — patty, real-life cow's heart pastrami, Swiss and American cheese, sriracha pickles and Bloody Mary ketchup. Available until they're not. No entry fee, no need to book, and here's an attractive looking flyer which shows we're not even making this stuff up.
|
|
|
BIT OF BOUNCY BOUNCY?
It's called The Beast. It's a 272 metres long, and yes, it's totally for adults. The world’s largest inflatable obstacle course is coming to Birmingham for eight vertically challenged days. On top of the 32 obstacles we counted (we didn't), there'll be live DJs mixing along to the sort of sound and lighting show that'll make you feel like you're in a big old club, without having to go to a big old club. The street food, craft beer and cocktail game is promised to be strong. And there's Prosecco on tap, so y'know. On dates from December 8 to 17 at the NEC, it's £20, and bouncing sessions are bookable in thirty-minute slots right here. Alternatively, you can go as a spectator for £2.50, but we'll be the ones being forcibly removed from The Beast at the 32-minute mark.
|
|
WIN: RUGBY +
BAR TAB
England v Australia at Twickenham — it's a biggie in terms of Autumn Internationals, whoever is actually allowed to play by that point... From the Barbarians' match with Argentina (Nov 4), to England's final clash against Samoa (Nov 25), Shooters is showing the whole season of fixtures, and asking six of you lovely lot to join them when we [probably][possibly][may just] smash the Wallabies on Nov 18. In addition to a table for six in the most densely screened area in the Midlands, you'll get a £150 bar tab. Follow & RT for your chance to do the winning.
|
|
|
OLIVE OIL ICE CREAM
From a pop-up at Kitchen Garden Cafe to a restaurant to call his own, it hasn't been the quietest 18 months for chef Ben Tesh. Folium's opening off St Paul's Square and is all about hyper-seasonal, modern British food. The 28-seater will have a menu dictated by the best ingredients of the day, including dishes like aerated white chocolate and olive oil ice cream (pictured). Have a gander at the sample menu then, invariably, book in from November 22. It's the turbot with anchovy cream and elderberry caper that has us convincing chef to let us in a full week before launch. Right, Chef? Chef???
|
|
|
NIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy duo have, somehow, ended up playing arenas. And one arena in particular. Flight Of The Conchords will tour the UK for the first time in 7 years with just one night in Brumtown at the Genting, March 22. The 'Flight of the Conchords sing Flight of the Conchords Tour' will feature all the classics from their HBO/BBC series and new, inevitably brilliant stuff. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am here. Digital fights will ensue.
|
|
|
|
Venue: Rofuto, 160 Broad Street, B15 1DT; Website
Choice: Miso Black Cod (£24) Chooser: Waitress, Jewaher
If it's been a while since you made it to Rofuto, entrance is now through the hotel, and the pan-Asian kitchen's had a menu makeover — upping its small plate game. A welcome addition in sushi is the mango soft shell crab uramaki (£8.50) — where the roll is inside out, stuffed with crispy crab, and adorned with mango riper than we've been able to source in all of our mango-sourcing years. The pulled pork and kimchi gyoza (£6.50) are also worthy of your chops and your sticks — perfectly proportioned and seasoned. But the jewel at the top of Hotel Regis' crown is their signature saffron miso black cod. This is a very pretty plate of food. And with kohlrabi puree, a razor clam, sea foam and pancetta (what doesn't taste better with any form of pork?), it's also a darned tasty one. The buttery fish sumptuously fell away in satisfying chunks and despite the delicate flavours, held its own amongst a table full of food. Super duper service in spades from the excellent Jewaher. Eat whatever she tells you to, drinks whatever she tells you to, and probaly listen to her life advice. Menu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
