Food Review: Hotel Du Vin Spring Menu Launch

In an uncertain world, there's always Hotel Du Vin Birmingham. Restaurants come and go, but this place stays the same, offering up food, wine and hospitality by the bucket load.

Under the guidance of new General Manager, Barry Sherwin, we were invited to try the new menu at Hotel Du Vin Birmingham on what felt like one of the first days of Spring.

Starting off with a little taste of Gusbourne, an English Sparkling, along with some hearty nibbles, we enjoyed our welcome drinks and bar snacks in the Bubble Lounge before making our way to the main restaurant.

The new menu is full of French classics including Moules, Parfait, Steak Tartare, Escargots and of course Steak.

Wanting to try out something different, I sidestepped the Chicken Liver Parfait and went for the Severn & Wye Smoked Salmon Classic to start. Far from your usual dish of smoked salmon, alongside the thick, moist slices of smoked salmon was an unusual garnish; egg. The garnish of chopped boiled egg was laid out around the circumference of the dish, mixed in with red onion, parsleys and cornichons. An unusual take on this simple dish, it added interest and colour. Lemon juice of course added some zing.

Onto the main course, I stuck to the fishy theme and opted for the Sole Meuniere, a lightly pan-fried dish of lemon sole. A tricky fish to eat thanks to it's spiky bones, it was nonetheless well cooked, although it could have benefitted from a little less oil for my tastes. Accompaniments included honey roast carrots, pommes puree, haricots vert and of course pommes frites.

Gluten free dessert options included ice cream and Creme Brulee, so I picked the latter as much as I was trying to resist. A delightful dish as always, it was the dessert wine that really stood out for me here. The Emiliana Late Harvest was a light dessert wine with honey hints that I thoroughly enjoyed.

We were also treated to an introduction to the Sommeliers Table, a corner of heaven where wines are available to try by the glass, along with some expert advice. A little known feature, try it out next time you're there and you may even discover something new.

The new menu at Hotel Du Vin is a love letter to French cuisine. Showing off favourite dishes beloved by Brits and Frenchmen alike, there's some hearty food and seriously good wine to be enjoyed. My advice? Pop by for a meal that's sure to leave you satisfied.

*With thanks to Hotel Du Vin for the complimentary meal

Event: Hotel Du Vin Christmas Menu Launch

Can you believe that we're talking about Christmas already? Although we may not be thinking about it yet, Hotel du Vin certainly is, and has already showcased it's delightful Christmas menu.

Held in the courtyard of Hotel du Vin Birmingham, I was able to sample some miniatures from the new Christmas menu.

Starting off the event with mulled wine served on tap, this fruity blend of oranges and spices is just what's needed in the cooler months.

Next, it was on to enjoy a hand massage courtesy of the team at the Hotel Du Vin spa. I adore the spa here as it is such a relaxing space, and it's worth taking a look at their offers as there are quite often packages available.

Onto the food, we began with canapes which included Christmas Cured Smoked Salmon with Pumpernickel and Spiced Pickles, Hazlenut Crusted Goat's Cheese Crottin with Cranberry and Endive Salad, Duck Liver Parfait with Plum and Figgy Chutney and finally Jerusalem Artichoke and Chestnut Soup.

Although I was unable to try any of the bread based canapes, I could try the soup. A rich, creamy, artichoke and chesnut soup, topped off with truffle creme fraiche, this was an absolutely delightful, rich and creamy soup that I could have eaten twice over, full sized. If you are dining at Christmas, this is my top choice for starters.

For mains, there was a selection of minis including Roasted Free Range Turkey Ballotine, Pigs in Blankets and Roasted Potatoes.

The vegetarian option of Cauliflower and Parmesan Crumble was also presented beautifully in mini dishes.

Finally, for dessert, we tried out some very traditional desserts of Christmas Pudding and Mince Pies.

The Christmas Menu is available from 24th November until 24th December, priced at £29.95 for lunch and £43.95 for dinner. This includes three courses and tea, coffee and mince pies. For the quality of the food and the time of year, it's a great price and perfect for any work, family or social gathering.

*With thanks to Hotel Du Vin for the invitation.

Event: Hotel Du Vin Spring Menu Launch

With a name like Hotel Du Vin, it's no surprise that a new menu tasting at the Birmingham branch of the hotel involved copious amounts of the red and white stuff.

A firm favourite in the city for pre work breakfasts, after work drinks and everything in between, Hotel Du Vin has just released it's Spring Menu; and invited a bunch of bloggers along to try it out.

Starting off the evening with a little blind champagne tasting, we were invited to taste test a Champagne, English sparkling, prosecco and a French Cremant. Simon Carlo from Meat and One Veg was undoubtedly the winner in this game, but the taking part was pretty fun too.

We were invited into the main restaurant to sit at a King Arthur style round table, where there was food and wine flowing throughout the evening.

Presented with both the A La Carte and Fixed Price Spring Menu, we were spoilt for choice. Although a difficult decision, I chose from the main menu, but made sure to take photographs of some of the other options available to give you a taste of what's available.

The Spring Menu is a steal at £17.95 for two courses or £20.95 for three. With starters including octopus, watercress and spinach soup and air dried ham, the main selection includes mackerel, gnocchi a burger and a salad option.  

I opted for the Salmon and Wye Smoked Salmon Classic, which was recommended to me by the waiting team. What arrived was a plate covered in delicious slithers of smoked salmon, topped off with soft yolked quail eggs and scattered with greenery including shallots, capers and cornichons. A delicious, protein packed and healthy summer starter, this was all the more delicious when eaten with the mounds of fresh bread we were provided with. The smaller bread basket is my own special portion of gluten free bread, whilst the larger basket contained choices such as tomato and walnut breads.

This was also accompanied with a choice of white wines; I opted for the Pinot Blanc.

Some of the other delicious looking starters included the Scallop Ceviche and Soft Boiled Goosnargh Duck Egg with Asparagus Soldiers.

Onto the main course, I opted for the Rack of Yorkshire Dales Lamb, pea, bean and goats curd salad. At £26.95, this is one of the most expensive main course options from the menu. However, the dish that I ate was absolutely delicious. Pink, moist, tender lamb cutlets nestled on a light curd and vegetables, this was again, a filling but light option, which is exactly what you'd want from a summer menu.

A few other notable menu options included the Black and Blue burger, featuring a distinctive black bun, and the Aubergine Caponata and Grilled Halloumi.

Our mains were served with a selection of sides including Parmentier Potatoes, Chantenay Carrots and Sauteed Spinach, along with a red wine selection.

Finally, it was time for my favourite wine choice of the day, the dessert wine. Both of these wines were delicious, the Royal Tokaji was light and honey tainted whilst the Alcyone was rich and syrupy.

I couldn't decide on a dessert, but went for a light option of Peach Melba from the Fixed Price Summer Menu.

Others, however, went for the Crepes Suzette, which was an inspired choice as it meant we were able to watch the show as the trolley was wheeled out and the flames started leaping. 

The Chocolate Bombe was also a theatrical affair, with a caramel sauce that was dripped onto the chocolate sphere to melt it away and reveal the insides.

By now, having eaten our way through the menu and tried some of the best wines Hotel Du Vin has to offer, our meal had come to an end.

Hotel Du Vin offers up a warm and relaxed dining experience in comfortable and refined surroundings. Although civilised, this is a place that isn't pretentious, but is still special. All of the food we enjoyed was good quality, delicately cooked, and with attention to detail. The presentation of every dish was carefully considered, and the service was faultless. For a special meal that's not going to leave you hungry for more, I'd be back in a heartbeat.

*With thanks to Delicious PR for the invitation