Event: Haig Club Bar Launch at The Cube, Birmingham

It's highly likely that you'll have heard of Haig Whisky by way of David Beckham, the brand's high profile ambassador.

Although you may not be able to meet the man himself, you can now enjoy Haig Whisky, whisky cocktails and bar food at the newly launched Haig Club Bar.

Located on Level 25 of The Cube, right alongside Marco Pierre White's, the Haig Club Bar is a brand new whisky bar with a spectacular skyline view.

I was recently invited to try out the whisky itself along with cocktails and food from the new menu.

Welcomed with a shot of Haig Man and Haig, this was my first introduction to the brand. Something of a novice when it comes to the grain based spirit (you may remember I recently attended an event with the Birmingham Whisky Club), I thankfully rather enjoyed this single grain Scotch.

With a list of 22 cocktails to choose from, we may not have tried them all, but we did try quite a few. As well as Pears in Paradise, we also enjoyed the Clubman Apple Mule, Ginger Julep and Berry Beauty which was sensationally served in a cocktail pyramid, expertly poured by head barman Jack Spencer.

The venue itself is intimate but comfortable with plenty of tables and bars stools to make sure there's space to sit and enjoy the evening. Inspired by the bottle itself, the blue and copper themed bar is relaxing and sumptuous, and I especially liked the blue velvet chairs and copper tables located by the floor to ceiling windows.

The entire menu was available for us to try including Chicken Satay Skewers, Smoked Duck and Sesame Skewers, Halloumi and Courgette Flowers, Aromatic King Prawns, Iberico Ham and Dijon Croquettes, Scotch Eggs, Patatas Bravas, Moules Mariniere, Chorizo Frito al Vino, Crispy Fried Calamari, Chorizo and Black Pudding Sausage Rolls and Black Pudding Bon Bons.

Although not everything was gluten free, the team was very good at signposting and I did end up trying a few dishes such as the Patatas Bravas, King Prawns and Chicken Satay, but do check with the team if you're gluten free or have any other dietary requirements.

The grand finale had to the be watching head barman jack expertly mix and pour a whole pyramid of cocktails for us at the bar. As you can see, it was pretty spectacular; and the Berry Beauty cocktail itself was easy to drink too.

The whisky itself? I found it smooth and easy to drink, as well as expertly blended and matched in the cocktails on offer at Haig Club Bar.

If you're looking for a new hang out in Birmingham, Haig Club Bar is as smooth and intimate as the whisky itself. 

The Haig Club Bar is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm-1am and offers up cocktails, mixers, whisky by the bottle and snacks and sharers.

*With thanks to Haig Club Bar and Rewired for the invitation. 

Review: The Club and Spa at The Cube, Birmingham

As someone who regularly eats out, whether to spend time with friends and family or to review venues for the blog, you would think exercise would be high on the list of priorities. Sadly, you'd be mistaken. Although I do enjoy the gym and exercise when I get the chance, I don't make time for it (naughty naughty).

However, when I was invited by the team at The Club and Spa to try out a personal training session and climbing wall experience, I dusted off my trainers and checked myself into the gym.

I was buddied up with Emma from Emma Victoria Stokes and together, we spurred each other on (read, dragged each other up from the floor).

First of all, we tried out the climbing wall and I was super excited to try something new. However, excitement quickly turned to fear, especially as the only way to get back down once you've gone high enough is to literally let go of the wall and trust in the ropes. Needless to say, I schrieked!

Our PT for the day, Connor, was amazing and helped us out with not just the safety and technical side of the experience, but also with lots of support and encouragement which really spurred us on.

Not only did we try climbing up the wall, we also did a traverse which is a sideways climb without ropes. This was my favourite part of the day and I would definitely try this again.

For members, use of the climbing wall is included in the membership. There are very few climbing walls in the area, so for anyone who likes climbing, it's a real bonus.

Next, we had our half hour PT session. I have never worked out with a PT and it was so much more fun having Emma with me :)

After a "warm up" on the rowing machines, we moved onto throwing stability balls and sled training. The stability ball exercise was all about lunging and throwing a giant ball at a basketball board, which was ok, but pushing the sled was a lot harder than you'd think, especially when required to crouch down to almost touch the floor.

Onto the battle ropes. I had never been acquainted with these two ropes, but I soon found out what I was in for. The first two ropes were big and heavy and we had to throw these to the ground so they made a very loud bang. The other two ropes were lighter and we had to move these up and down really quickly. This may sound easy, but trust me this my least favourite part of the session.

Lastly, we had a quick 10 minute spin battle on the bikes. Piece of cake right? By this point we were hot and sweaty, but my oh my, it felt good to be able to say I'd done something really productive with my morning!

Finally, we were able to wind down and use the spa facilities, including the pool, steam room, sauna and chill out rooms. There are also treatments available and a salt room for detoxing. I couldn't stay long so I lounged by the pool with a magazine, but hopefully I'll get a chance to go back for a full day soon.

We had a peek at the Champagne Nail Bar too whilst we were there, how luxurious!

The spa facilities were really good and I loved the mellow room with hanging chairs. The pool is more for relaxation than lengths and was busy when we went on a Saturday, but I can imagine it's quieter in the week.

So what did I think? Well, I can really say that I'd recommed getting a personal trainer if you're looking to shape up. It makes such a difference and it really helps to keep things interesting as it's so easy to fall into a routine with your workout. I'd also say that I thoroughly enjoyed having a training buddy! I've worked out solo for a while but it was so much fun to have Emma to share my pain with. I ached for days after around my shoulders and arms. The climbing was so much fun that I hadn't noticed how much effort it required but it must have done some good!

The Club and Spa is located in The Cube, Mailbox District, Birmingham, B1 1RN

*I was invited to The Club and Spa to experience a PT session, use of the climbing wall and spa facilities, complimetary.

Food Review: Bun and Bowl Valentine's Day Tasting Menu

Bun and Bowl is known as a restaurant that serves burgers and prawns (aka shrimp). However, for Valentine's Day the chefs are pulling out all the stops and have created an imaginative menu that is far beyond what you might expect.

I was invited along to The Cube along with a group of brummie bloggers to try out this special menu ahead of the big day and share the experience with you.

Right next to Madelines, Bun and Bowl is a glass fronted brick backed restaurant on the roadside level of The Cube. We were greeted and seated on a romantic table for around a dozen ladies (and one gent) and were offered cocktails from the menu. Sadly I had to go for a non alcoholic option but my cranberry, raspberry and passionfruit mocktail was delish.

The Valentine's Day menu itself offers loved up diners a choice of entrees, two mains and two dessert. For the tasting menu we tried a selection of dishes that will be available on the day.

First up, a very Michelin-esque shotglass of mushroom capuccino with a soy foam served with a salmon and avocado crostini. The presentation of this dish was fantastic and showcased a light touch. The mushroom and soy foam shotglass was warm and the earthy mushroom was balanced by the plain soy topping, whilst the smoked salmon and avocado crostini or ballotine as it's called on the menu was finished off with dill and caviar. This also came on a gluten free piece of bread for me - winner!

Next up was the showstopper round. Red Champagne (champagne with a red fruit puree topped with a straberry) arrived next to a whole oyster in shell. As you can imagine, not everyone had eaten an oyster before and it is a decadent dish! Personally, I like them and the oyster tasted salty and of lemon and vinegar. This simple method of seasoning the oyster worked well and showed off the freshness.

Our main was the rib eye beef burger with a black truffle mayonnaise, barbecue sauce and fries. The burger had a few suprises in store, mainly that it is served with foie gras! This was a very luxurious and unexpected touch. The burger itself was served on a gluten free brioche bun which was the best I have ever tasted, alongside tomato, lettuce and an onion confit glazed with port wine. The truffle sauce tasted of mustard as the delicate flavour of truffle can easily be overpowered, but was delicious nonetheless.

Finally, it was time for our relatively healthy dessert of strawberries with a foam cacao and mint gratin. My favourite part of this dish was the marshmallow foam, yum!

All of this was accompanied by music from Rebecca, who serenaded us with specially selected pieces of music on her violin, chosen to accompany the meal.

Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the imagination demonstrated in creating and executing the menu. Although Bun and Bowl is a deluze Burger and Shrimp restaurant, the chefs are clearly capable of creating and cooking meals which have been influenced by some of the best in the world. The exotic touches of oyster and smoked salmon made this a very luxurious menu and a suitable romantic treat for Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day ladies and gents! How will you be celebrating V Day?

The Valentine's Menu costs £30 and includes a starter, main and dessert. The full menu is below:

A glass of red fruit champagne 

With a small cover charge on the table, you will receive 

an assortment of breads, accompanied by Noisette butter and olive tapenade.

  Entrees 

A selection of hot and cold Amuse-Bouche  

Surprises of a passionate heart

A mushroom Cappuccino with hot soy milk and avocado ballotine, smoked salmon and clotted cream.  Birth of AphroditeOctopus tentacles confit with a sea vegetables on a citrus foam. 

A pearl for my love     

(An "Oyster wound and its edible pearl")Fresh Oysters on a ´bed of pearls´ with white bisque of lobster and champagne. 

Garden of Eden (V)

Mini aromatic vegetables served with leaf buds and herbs on a natural carrot and celery Jus foam.  

For a flavours diversion try our 

Granitte forest fruits(A red fruit Sorbet with a touch of champagne)  

Main courses 

Rack of lamb with the colour of love

Rack of Lamb, potato frites, carrot and orange puree and jus  

Bun & Burger Bowl A la Rossine

Our Classic Beef burger, recreated with truffle dressing and served with homemade fries. (Beef burger with onion confit glazed with a port wine and fois gras scallop, fresh potato fries and truffle dressing) 

Desserts  

Strawberry delights with crunchy chocolate

Lemon jus with thyme, strawberries with a touch of spice, foam cacao and mint gratin

Chocolate DE lice’ 

Cream chocolate praline served with a blackberry and caramel ice cream drizzled with a reduction of orange and honey sauce.

Thank you to Bun and Bowl for having me, tt was lovely to meet so many great bloggers including Lenny from LennyLovesLife, Dr Roz from The Foodie Couple Blog, Emily from Good Girl Gone Brum, Sophie from Sophie Etc and Emma from EmmaVictoriaStokes; a big hello to you all!