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RANKIN'S REBUS REP-BOUND
So that was summer. Next up, The Rep's Autumn/Winter season, which has now been announced. Jump on a psychedelic medical trial in All You Need Is LSD or try what we're assuming will be your first Korean-English production, with bilingual Orange Polar Bear, or maybe go see Ian Rankin's fave detective, Rebus, for reals. Rankin has written the completely new story exclusively for stage along with award-winner of a playwright, Rona Munro. Rebus: Long Shadows is at The Rep from 20 Sept to Oct 6. Tickets are from £10.
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PAY DAY PAR-TT-Y
It's funny the things your brain retains and the things it ejects. We can't remember anyone's name at the precise moment of introduction, but do remember that Digbeth-born party night HOTT DATE was spelt with two T's. Jeez, thanks brain! Launched a decade ago at The Rainbow and finding digs at The Flapper (RIP) and The Hare, it promptly vanished like Keyser Söze. But now, in their own words: "It's back! Like that friend you chucked out of the party, who climbed back in through the bathroom window," and it’s bringing new and old friends to Cafe Colette, May 6. Digbo Din-Dins are on food and the day after the night before is a bank hol. So you're out of excuses. £5 to £8
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WIN: 150 TABLES FOR TWO
There's been some big restaurant launches of late but none of them come close to Opheem. The Former Lasan chef and Saturday Morning Kitchen regular, Aktar Islam, is to launch this, his first solo restaurant, in Brum in May and it's all about celebrating the the culinary heritage of India. The 70-cover venue in Summer Row — currently home to that eminently replaceable M-Club — will take inspo from the age-old recipes enjoyed by the Mughals, Nizams and Maharajas, all combined with the best Brit produce. Fancy being one of the first to visit, and fancy eating for free? Aktar is, quite staggeringly, giving away a table for two every night for 150 nights. Starters include 'parai' (Cornish mackerel, Goan fermented chilli and Tokyo turnip) and 'samudrapheni' (octopus, tandoori spices and pickled carrot). On mains we're liking what we're reading about 'allepy' (turbot in tempered Keralan coconut milk and raw mango) and Aktar’s spin on vindaloo (pork jowl, pickled vindaloo purée and confit garlic). You can win that table right here. You can take us with you, too.
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MOVIE - AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
The more excitable sections of the internet are already calling this ‘Shakespearean,’ which is nonsense, but it does give you a clue that this third Marvel team-up is a tad more ambitious than, say, the last Thor movie. Josh Brolin’s intergalactic space tyrant Thanos (pictured) is on a mission to kill half of Earth’s population, and Earth’s mightiest heroes split up into three groups to take him on. Marvel is starting to make keeping this busy cast organised look easy, and it’s an admirable feat of logistics – but the main takeaway is just how damn entertaining the film is. Meaningless fun, like all good popcorn flicks, but there’s also a new feeling that the Avengers are out of their depth, which leads to some surprisingly emotional moments, even for non-fans. Times
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ROCK UP TO
A POP-UP
Four years ago Moseley's Deolali, one of Brum's most beautiful restaurants, closed its giant stagecoach-style entrance and it's lain wastefully dormant ever since. Next week, though, the stunning loft space is coming back to life with Deolali Goes Pop, a series of pop-up events lasting a weekend and changing on a weekly basis. Hot dog purveyors Fat Snags are first up (May 4 to May 6 inclusive), while new gourmet fried chicken and rib team Bone Selecta (combining Little Blackwood's Ben Taylor and long time pal and chef Chas Cureton) will land for their three-day stint on May 10. Expect a bar stocked with beers by Purity, cocktails by Crushed & Cubed and wine by Connollys. Get onto DGP's Twitter for further announcements and mid-week specials. More
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Venue: Comptoir Libanais, Grand Central, B2 4BF; Website
Choice: Fattet moussaka (£9.95) Chooser: Manager
If you want the best mezze in Birmingham, go to Damascena. If you want the best mixed grill, go to Colbeh. If you want really good Lebanese food, in a super central location, that's open later than the aforementioned restaurant, and earlier than the latter, head to Comptoir Libanais. If you can get a table, that is. This welcome addition to Grand Central was bursting at its seams when we went and has been chockerblocker every time we've passed — from its bright interior to its super-on-it staff, it breeds buzz and positivity from its diners. The mezze sharer is gargantuan, and if you're planning to eat anything after it, order for one rather than two. Then get familiar with the Levantine take on moussaka. Forget lamb, Bechemal and potato (the Greek style), this layered triumph includes the usual baked aubergine beginning but gets its richness from warm tahini, chickpeas and yogurt sauce topped with the most moreish crispy pitta and onions. Somehow even nicer completely cold the following evening, with a lamb kofta on the side. Yes, Comptoir does doggy bags. Menu
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