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FILM PICK: WONDER
If you’re the slightest bit cynical, or resentful at being manipulated — or even have high blood sugar and need to watch the glucose levels — this may not be the film for you. If you’re looking for that rare non-animated family film, however, or perhaps if the cruelty of life has yet to drain all generosity from your heart, this old-fashioned weepie's probably for you. Room’s Jacob Tremblay is a facially disfigured boy moving from home-schooling to mainstream school, Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson are his parents, and you know where this is going. Sanitised depictions of bullying and a generally dated feel aside, it’s the acting that makes this something worth taking the kids to, not least Izabela Vidoovic as Tremblay’s sister. Times
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LIQUID CHRISTMAS
There's a brief window in which it's acceptable to essentially drink dessert. And it starts tomorrow. Fully embracing all 31 days of December, The Edgbaston's launched a Christmas cocktail list of seven seasonal bangers. Fancy a gander? Thought you might. Go full yule with After 5 (pictured), because why wait until 8pm? Green Spot single malt, Cotswolds Irish Cream, almond, mint and truffle is what you'll be supping. What we'll be supping is a Grumpy Old Bastard, which includes more single malt, but this time it's Redbreast — Irish and with a spicy kick — plus walnut and acorn, as well as the ultimate Chrimbo beverage in our house — Pedro Ximenez. From £9 to £14, the menu launches tomorrow. Cheers bab!
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SHOWING THE UK HOW TO COOK
Twelve chefs have made it through to Knockout Week on MasterChef: The Professionals. And as if we needed more statistical evidence that we're utterly excelling at food as a region, 25% of the remaining contestants are currently cheffing in the West Midlands. The last time we saw sous chef Leo Kattou (left), he was threatening his head chef at Simpsons with a fire extinguisher. Having worked in his parent’s chippie in Coventry, Leo got work experience at Simpsons in 2009, and was employed the following month. Brett Connor (right) worked at two 2017 ICB faves — Hampton Manor and Mallory Court — before becoming a development chef. While you'll find 22-years young Louisa Ellis at The Wilderness, where she's been working as sous chef since September. Neh bad, Birmingham, neh bad.
Knockout Week airs Tues 5, Wed 6 and Thurs 7 December, 8pm, BBC Two
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Venue: Cookhouse & Pub, Wolverhampton Road, B69 2BH; Website
Choice: Steak, Ale and Cheddar Suet Pie (£8.49) Chooser: Hayden
What's the number one rated restaurant in Oldbury? It's a question you may not have expended a lot of energy over. But in our mission to expand our minds, (stomachs) and geographical spread, we made the actually very short trip to the Cookhouse & Pub on the Wolverhampton Road. And though a Michelin star we don't predict, pub nosh, completely lovely service, and change from a tenner on almost every order we did find. Our entirely delicious Doom Bar was less than our favourite coffee shop coffee and served in a proper pint glass. The pastry from the steak and ale suet was buttery and flaky, while the filling had the sort of gravy ratio you seek but fail to achieve without a slightly awkward supplementary sauce request. Served on a big bed of mash with broccoli and green beans, this is more than enough to see you through a wintry day. But if you are having a starter, the chunky hummus, served with the lamb kofta grazer, topped with pomegranates (£4.89) is where we direct you. Menu
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HOT RIGHT NOW: MISS MONEYPENNY'S
As archives go, Miss Moneypenny’s is right up there — a little bit outrageous, nostalgia-filled and largely too damned sexy for us to publish. For its 25th anniversary project, the iconic Brum club brand has released a preview from its extensive collection of artwork and photographs, taken from original flyers and limited edition photographic prints. Queen In Paris (pictured) is taken from a 1995 night, which we may or may not have been at, and featured DJ’s Tony Di Vit and Jim ‘Shaft’ Ryan. Buy it as an A3 poster, or maybe take a gander at the whole beautiful lot while you get working on that time machine.
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