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Venue: BA-HA at Churchills, Mailbox, B1 1RL; Facebook
Choice: Nott wings (£6) Chooser: Frankie, Founder
After a year of pop-ups and kitchen takeovers, Frankie and Becky, the ever so smiley team behind BA-HA, have got themselves some permanent digs. Just the second fully vegan hangout in the city centre, their new des res is Churchills — the wine-slash-gin-slash-bubbly bar at the Mailbox — and BA-HA's intro into the canalside spot feels like a Big Foot sort of step for Brum bringing veganism into the mainstream. But is the food any good? Get three small plates for £15, including dishes like the team's moreish take on meatballs, and our pick, BA-HA's Nott wings. Crispy, battered cauliflower is smothered in Frank's Hot Sauce and topped off with black sesame seeds and spring onions — a seriously satisfying, flavour-filled plate of food. Oh, and for dipping purposes, it's all about the homemade garlic and chive mayo. The bish and chips (£13) is a popular main, made with banana blossom and served up with pea puree and tartare sauce. Though full of texture, a bit more seasoning and punch in the tartare would have elevated this dish for us. And full disclosure — we had basically just smashed a bottle of Frank's finest (see Nott wings above), so our palates were somewhat compromised. Either way, whether you're a hardened meat eater, favour fish or have been plant-based waaaaaay before it became fashionable, give Frankie and Becky's passion project a thorough trying. In addition to the small and large plates, they do brunch until 3pm and you can make it a bubbly bottomless one any day you like. How very civilised. Book by emailing bahavegan@outlook.com. Menu
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THE PEOPLE BEHIND 'PURPLE'
Steven Spielberg’s The Color Purple wasn’t the first (or last) film that saw the director reduce us to a sobbing, blubbering mess, as well as making for a less-than-romantic double date. The same’s certainly true for the cast and crew of this completely new musical stage version, which is the first large-scale, co-production for Brum Hippodrome, who have created the piece with Leicester's Curve Theatre. Most of the cast — pictured here in rehearsal — share emotional memories based on their first experiences with either the 1985 Oscar-nominated film or Alice Walker’s novel, and that can be felt through the gospel, blues and Southern-style vocals, which may or may not have caused our staff writer to shed tears during a taster performance. The tale of personal discovery, racism and abuse certainly doesn't make for comfortable watching, but this production is important and does also promise to leave you elevated at the end. From July 16 to 20, tickets are from £21.
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