Food Review: Gluten Free Dining at Rofuto, Park Regis

Birmingham can be a city which buzzes with excitement, whether it's a new bar, club or restaurant, the last few years have seen the city social scene flourish.

Nowhere has generated quite as much buzz as the new Rofuto restaurant located in Park Regis at Five Ways, Birmingham.

Creating the kind of luxe, cosmopolitan, New York loft-style restaurant experience that you'd expect to find in the capital alone, Rofuto is breaking the mould.

A modern, izakaya-style restaurant, Rofuto serves up Japanese dishes such as sushi, sashimi, yakitori and tempura.

Bar

Our experience began at the ground floor entrance, where we were escorted up to the sixteenth floor via the express lift. From here, we were greeted and seated at the window in the skyline bar, where beneath us was the wonder that is Five-Ways island. Feeling very Lost in Translation, we ordered cocktails to start, a Midnight Geisha for me and Ronin out of Time for my companion. My drink was divine, fruity, infused with raspberries and too easily drinkable.

After savouring the panoramic views and taking the obligatory cocktail shot, it was time to savour the food.

We were led to the main restaurant, a large space with excellent views also. I particularly liked the central bar area, which made the space feel open and friendly, as all too often the bar is hidden away. At the far end is the open restaurant, where the displays of fire and speedy slicing are as captivating as the views below.

Food

The tables were laid out ready with the kind of perfect symmetry than reminds you of a Buddhist temple, complete with perfect right angles and starched napkins. I for one couldn't resist the offer of sake, the traditional Japanese rice wine. From our waiter we learnt that you should never serve yourself, and that it is custom to pour using two hands. If you're taking your boss out for dinner, take note, you should serve them!

In a moment of spontaneity, we asked to be surprised and let our waiter choose our dishes for us. All of the dishes we ate were gluten free, with the exception of one dessert, so that we could both enjoy the food.

To start, we were served sashimi tuna and salmon on a plate of ice. Fleshy and buttery, this was incredibly fresh and gave us an appetite for more.

Next, we tried the Cherry Smoked Salmon with Citrus Salt from the Robato Grill (£8.50) along with the Asparagus Kushiyaki, Butter Soy (£7.50). The salmon arrived on skewer and were a curiously dark pink colour from the smoking process. Heavy with salt flakes, this was a completely different taste to the sashimi. The asparagus was crisp, fresh and chargrilled.

Onto the next round, we tried the Beef Sirloin, Gobo Crisps,  Garlic Ponzu, Truffle Black Angus. This was the priciest dish we tried at £22 so something of a treat. The beef was incredibly cooked, simply seared on the outside and silky soft inside. I adored the crispy Gobo crisps and could eat these as a pre-dinner nibble. The addition of the garlic ponzu and truffle black Angus was just a bite of salty, divine food heaven, bringing flavours to the table that you would be hard pushed to find elsewhere. This arrived with an Asian slaw that was filled with mango, garlic, carrot, pepper, ginger and spring onion, that was fresh and light.

Sadly, it was time for dessert all too soon. My companion had the Matcha Green Tea Tiramisu and I had the Cardamon, Coconut and Passion Fruit Panna Cotta. The Tiramisu was a rich and creamy, and my Panna Cotta was balanced with not too unusual flavours.

Overall

Rofuto brings a cosmopolitan dining experience to Birmingham. Whilst the big smoke is full to bursting with Japanese style restaurants, from Sexy Fish to Roka, it's high time that we were given the same choice in the second city. This style of dining is new to the city, and exactly right for the time and place. It elevates the dining scene to new heights, quite literally, and I'm certain that others will follow now Rofuto has forged a path.

Even though I've just visited, I'm salivating at the thought of going back to try the Miso Black Cod, Scallops and Beef Kushiyaki. Next time, I'll savour the savoury dishes and replace dessert with an after dinner cocktail instead.

Rofuto Gluten-Free Menu

I was kindly provided with the full gluten free menu before I dined, so for those of you gluten free diners in Birmingham thinking of visiting, check out the menu below to pre-pick your meal. As always, I'd recommend checking with your waiter before ordering in case of any changes.

Sushi
All sashimi
All nigiri
Crab, Sea urchin and Tobiko Gunkan
Sea urchin and Ikura Gunkan
Fois Gras, Nashi Pear and Truffle Gunkan Colchester Oyster Nambanzuke

Maki Rolls
Rofuto Futomaki
Vegetarian Futomaki

Cucumber Hossomaki
Okra Hossomaki

Starters
Salted Edamame
Seared Scallops
Kaiso Salad
Grilled Octopus, Rocket and Pine Nut Salad

Robata
Asparagus Kushiyaki

Cherry Smoked Salmon

Mains
Wagyu Beef, Gobo Crisps, Truffle
Black Angus Beef, Gobo Crisps, Truffle Sesame Tuna Tataki, Black Garlic

Sides
Rohan Rice
Tenderstem Broccoli
Asian Slaw

Desserts
Passion fruit and Cardamom Panna Cotta 

Robata Pineapple, Yuzu Sorbet
Kisetsu Fruit salad

Birchbox X Selfridges Birmingham

I'm sure you're all familiar with monthly beauty boxes, where for a fee you can receive a selection of edited products delivered to your door.

Now imagine a beauty box where you can pick your own products. Sounds good right? No duds, all killer and no filler.

Selfridges has partnered with Birchbox to bring you the chance to choose your own products and create a bespoke beauty box. 

Running until Saturday 11th June, you can head to Selfridges Birmingham to pick your own beauty box from a selection.

Located on the stunning Beauty Hall, the Birchbox stand is a giant, pick your own paradise for any beauty lover. For just £15 you can pick six products, pop them in a pouch as you shop, and pack it all away in an exclusive box when you're ready, making it a perfect gift for any beauty lover.

That's exactly what I did when I went along last week to build my very own Birchbox.

Firstly, we were given a guided tour of the products on offer, with some background on the concept and information on the products themselves. We then did a loop around the stand and pondered our options.

We were able to pick two make up items, one skincare product, one from bodycare, one from haircare and one beauty treat.

The beauty selection included a Laura Mercier Lip Glace, Blink Eyebrow Pencil, Laqa & Co Cheeky Lip Tint, Lord and Berry Couture Kohl Kajal Eye Pencil, Mirenesse Glossy Kiss, ModelCo Powerlash Mascara, Pop Beauty Eyeshadow trio and TheBalm Cosmetics Stainiac. 

Onto the skincare selection, this included a Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, Eve Lom Kiss Mix, Ole Henriksen The Clean Truth Cleansing Cloth and Pure and Light Organic Essential Face Cream.

The bodycare selection included Puriskin Resurfacing Cream, Rituals T'ai Chi Foaming Shower Gel, Skin & Co Sicilian Body Gel and Whish Three Wishes Blueberry Body Butter.

The haircare selection included John  Masters Organic Citrus Neroli Detangler, Living Proof Full Thickening Cream, Number 4 Super Comb Prep and Protect and Philip B Light Weight Deep Conditioning Creme Rinse.

Last but not least was the beauty bonus section, where you can try This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray or Sleep Plus Spray, When Glamour Base Sheet Mask or Birchbox Hair Ties. 

Quite the selection right? And it all comes in an exclusive, gorgeous, geometric print box. Here's what I chose.

As you can see, the sizes make these little treats perfect for travelling and trying out.

Birchbox at Selfridges Birmingham is here until Saturday 11th June. See you there!

Food Review: Friday Evening's at Opus

Opus is considered to be one of Birmingham's premier restaurants. With a focus on fresh, sustainable produce, direct from the producer since opening in 2009, these guys were way ahead of the sustainability game.

The original restaurant on Cornwall Street is well known for hosting the Dinner Series, where diners can meet the supplier and talk produce over dinner.

What's new, however, is Friday Evening's at Opus. A more relaxed affair than the Dinner Series or of course the Kitchen Table, Friday Evening's at Opus is a new concept menu that celebrates local and sustainable produce. Serving two courses, half a bottle of wine and homemade bread for £25, it's a great way for guests to get to know Opus.

Before we sat down, we were treated to some canapes; Bhajis and Chorizo. We played a fun game where each canape contained a cocktail stick and a question, which is a great idea for a dinner party.

We also took a tour of the kitchen, including the famed Kitchen Table, and had a chat with head chef Ben Ternent. Ben walked us through the kitchen, explaining how there are six sections to progress through, from vegetable prep to sauce and finally meat and fish.

Following our tour, it was time to take our seats at the table. Fresh bread baskets made an appearance and the wine glasses were filled with either house red or white. I was also served my very own piece of warm gluten free bread.

From a choice of slow roasted tomato soup, smoked buttermilk or whipped Rosary goat's cheese, heritage tomato and English radish salad, baby watercress, grape dressing, I chose the salad.

The most noticeable thing about this dish was how incredibly fresh everything on the plate was. The radish, as well as being a) huge and b) whole, was crisp and crunchy, which worked well with the creamy goats cheese. Everything on my plate was fresh, clean, and crisp and a testament to the quality of the sourcing. The colours danced on the plate and the flavours danced on my palette. Can you spot the flower in my dish?

Pork Fillet

Beetroot Risotto

Next, from the main course options of Free range Suffolk pork cutlet, wholegrain mustard mash, caramelised apples, fillet of day boat market fish, fricasse of asparagus, potatoes and wild garlic, and lastly, Evesham beetroot risotto, crispy Ragstone ash goat's cheese, I chose the fish. This happened to be cod on the day, but can of course change.

The fish was so perfectly cooked, with a crisp skin and flaky inside, that I had to stop myself from devouring this too quickly. The vegetables were simple but delicious, but we could have done with an extra side portion of vegetables and potatoes.

There were also vegetarian and vegan options available on the vegetarian menu on the reverse. Here's a picture of Natasha from Nutella Tasha's main. 

Alas, this was the end of the meal, but I did take a picture of dessert. From the options of peanut and caramel delice and ice cream and sorbet, my sweet toothed companions all opted for the peanut delice.

Service throughout the meal was attentive, with regular top ups of wine and water. It was also extremely swift, making it a great option for Friday night diners who are looking for a meal in the city before heading home to the 'burbs.

The quality of the food we ate was fantastic, and the dishes were as fresh as if they'd just been picked on the farm. This standout quality of the food, alongside the service and beautiful modern, calm interior are all points in favour of the restaurant. My only recommendation? It would be good to see a three course meal option on the menu to satisfy the appetites of even the hungriest of diners.

With thanks to the team at Opus for taking such good care of us.

Event: Interview with Amy Childs at eBay Shop Live, Bullring Birmingham

Rather than popping into the Bullring for a new outfit, last weekend I was lucky enough to be invited down to interview none other than Amy Childs at Shop Live! with eBay.

The former TOWIE star and entrepreneur was there to promote eBay's Shop Live. A tongue-in-cheek homage to home shopping television programmes, there were two shows, "Ace Your Reality TV Audition" featuring Amy Childs and Harry Derbridge and how to "Survive the Zombie Apocalypse."

Each performance showcased what you'd need in each situation, from hair tools to bluetooth speakers. The audience could then take advantage of deals straight from their mobiles and pick up items immediately from the nearby Argos using Click and Collect.

Hosted by the comedian Shappi Khorsandi and Ting from The Ting Thing, I went down to watch the stars in action.

Amy made her cameo on stage with Ting and Shaapi and gave out some advice on how to ace your reality TV audition.

Ting was a fantastic presenter, she's such a professional!

The Zombie Apocalypse show was hilarious, with Shaapi finding herself with a zombie admirer.

I managed to get up close and personal with this zombie:

I even got the zombies to stay still and pose for a photo!

After the show, I sat down with Amy Childs to talk fashion and style.

You're incredibly busy with your clothing line, sunglasses range and numerous endorsements. What does a typical week look like for you?

I'm in the salon three days a week and in the shop a lot too. I hate to be bored and I love staying busy so I'll often be sending emails at 10.30pm. As well as that, I'm often travelling and meeting people which is what I love to do. I'm also really involved in the Amy Childs collection in designing the clothes and picking the fabrics and colours. When I'm in the boutique, I ask my customers what they're looking for and so often it's a sleeve as people don't want to show their arms. My customers also like a knee length on a skirt or a dress, so I'm always designing with their feedback in mind.

What do you have lined up in the next few months?

I'll be back on TV screens on Celebrity Masterchef where I'll be putting my cooking skills to the test. 

What are you're top 5 style essentials?

For me, it's all about nice jewellery and accessories. Of course, I'd say an Amy Childs dress is an essential, a pair of Louboutin's, a silver hoop earring, my Forever On Trend sunglasses and some classic jewellery. 

What trends have you seen coming through for SS16 and AW16?

There's definitely a lot of lace in Spring Summer 16 carrying right through to Autumn Winter 16 too.

If you had to give just one piece of life advice, what would it be?

I've always lived by the rule, treat other people the way you'd want to be treated.

And if you had to give one piece of style advice what would it be?

Never show your legs and boobs!

Stila at Selfridges with Sascha Jackson

Can you remember your first Stila product? Yours, like mine, may well have been a twist and click lip glaze purchased from Sephora.

Stila has come a long way since then, and I was able to speak to the brand's UK lead pro artist and find out more about the reinvention when they launched a pop up at Selfridges Birmingham.

I met Sascha in the Selfridges Beauty Hall and was invited to sit and learn more about the brand, the products and get a sneak peek of what's happening in make up for SS16.

Founded in 1994 by celebrity MUA Jeanine Lobell, Jeanine wanted to create products that were different to what was already on the market. That lip glaze? It turns out that was actually one of the first products she created. 

The brand ethos is all about enhancing your natural beauty, making the best of your features and making sure you look still look like you. That means a focus on glowing skin, a great complexion and great ingredients is all on the agenda.

After the history lesson, it was time to get right in and explore the products. Sascha gave me a full makeover in a record breaking 30 minutes, and I actually couldn't believe how quickly and professionally she worked. Something tells me thats one of the reasons why she was chosen to be UK lead and it must seriously come in handy at fashion week.

Stay All Day Foundation

Starting off with the cult One Step Correct, Sascha then built up coverage using Stay All Day Foundation in no 5. To do this, she brushed on the product first and then stippled on top using a beauty blender. Sascha swears that she never has to touch up her foundation and these two products are all you need for a face that doesn't budge. I loved the slightly dewy finish but you could always use a sheer pressed powder over the top, dusted on with a big fluffy brush.

Next, Sascha used Stay All Day Bronzer in light shade 3 in the shape of a number 3, on the temples, cheeks and underneath the jaw a little.

Stila Convertible Colour Lip and Cheek Stain in Lilium

Now, she introduced me to the Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector. What's this, you may ask? Well, it's actually something of a genius product that is bouncy to the touch, but on the skin creates a natural, matte, flawless finish. The final results were something like an airbrush effect, finishing off the face to hide imperfections. Even better, it's great for leaving in your handbag and using for touch ups throughout the day. This was dusted all over.

Onto the eyes, I was impressed by the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner. A longer than average tip somehow makes this eyeliner so much easier to use. Unlike so many eyeliners, the colour doesn't fade and stays true all day. Sascha also used the Eyes are the Window Shadow Palette in Soul, a collection of earthy neutrals in a variety of finishes that are heavenly for everyday and to build up in the evening.

To finish, we used Stay All Day Liquid Lip Colour in Patina, and the colour was a revelation. Something that I would never normally pick out, it was just divine and works so well with my dark hair.

Here's my final look! Do you like it? I wish I could book Sascha in to do my make up everyday!

As for the spring trends, it's all about glossy skin, a perfect complexion, contrasting textures and a matt lip this season. Sascha was even at New York fashion week working behind the scenes on Alice and Olivia recently, working her magic so she really is the expert.

I've had a chance to try out these products at home too and I am thoroughly impressed. Firstly, the Liquid Lip Colour in Patina. Although this is a colour I would never normally try, Sascha did an amazing job of picking out a colour that suits me so well. I use this product so much and I'm always being asked what I'm wearing when I have this on. Not only that, but this genuinely does stay on all day, even after eating.

The foundation again, is a stay all day wonder, especially when used with the One Step Correct. The lid even comes with a concealer and I use this regularly to touch up on the go.

Finally, the eyeliner. Whether it's the shape of the tip or the formulation, I can actually just about manage a decent eyeliner flick with this.

Those are my favourites, what are yours?

*With thanks to Stila for the makeover