Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>New Warwickshire rum</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Jester-White-Rum-lr-2-scaled-e1618937088578.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44127" /></figure>



<p><a href="http://www.shakespearedistillery.com">Shakespeare Distillery</a> has this month launched Jester, a new British white rum  &#8211; with a spiced rum launching in mid-May. The independent artisan spirit producer has successfully been distilling gin for the last five years and all their products are  inspired by the Tudor period.</p>



<p>The name ‘Jester’ is taken from the famous sculpture of a Jester in Henley Street outside Shakespeare’s Birthplace &#8211; interestingly almost all of Shakespeare&#8217;s jesters were fond drinkers. Most rum on sale in the UK has in fact been imported. Distilling rum requires patience, experience, and a palette for perfection which is why many British rum distillers choose to import their base spirit before spicing it themselves. Shakespeare Distillery are one of only a handful of distilleries in the UK to create their rum in its entirety onsite.</p>



<p>Sold in three sized bottles from £6 (5cl) to £17.50 (20cl) and £34 for (50cl). Available <a href="https://shakespearedistillery.com/">online</a> or from the distillery shop for click and collect and customer visits. Free delivery is offered within the UK on all orders over £35. It&#8217;s also now stocked in Shakespeare Distillery’s own Stratford town centre shop at No 1 High Street.<strong> </strong> </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://coventryfoodfestival.com/">Big Foodie Weekend</a> line up, Coventry city centre, July 23-25</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="583" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/190325_MelanieC_look-3_0017_FINAL_RGB_DxO.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44161" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/190325_MelanieC_look-3_0017_FINAL_RGB_DxO.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/190325_MelanieC_look-3_0017_FINAL_RGB_DxO-300x175.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/190325_MelanieC_look-3_0017_FINAL_RGB_DxO-720x420.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/190325_MelanieC_look-3_0017_FINAL_RGB_DxO-768x448.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/190325_MelanieC_look-3_0017_FINAL_RGB_DxO-900x525.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Not only are Michelin Star chef Theo Randall and Dorset-based celebrity chef  Lesley Waters headlining the kitchen stage, but it&#8217;s just been announced two top pop superstars will be performing &#8211;  Melanie C and Heather Small – the unmistakable voice of M People. </p>



<p>On the evening of Friday July 23 there&#8217;ll be a DJ set by the former Spice Girl who will be joined by R&amp;B singer/songwriter Karen Harding (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiwgvQA8ksE" target="_blank">‘Say Something’</a>)&nbsp; 90’s pop sensation Rozalla (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI42hQHfbi8" target="_blank">’Everyody’s Free’&nbsp;</a>); legendary disco and house vocalist, Shena, and&nbsp;Coventry DJ, Paul Morrell.&nbsp;Heather Small will be the headline act on Sat July 24.&nbsp;Noughties acts Big Brovaz and Booty Luv are also set to perform, along with Katherine Ellis (Freemasons vocalist), rounded off by another blistering set from Paul Morell. Tickets available from May 31 <a href="https://coventryfoodfestival.com/">here</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="http://www.thealfrescotheatre.co.uk">The Alfresco Theatre Drive-In</a>, Sherbourne  Park, Warwick, May 19 – 23</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="980" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Paul-Ainsworth-2-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44153" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Paul-Ainsworth-2-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Paul-Ainsworth-2-1-300x294.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Paul-Ainsworth-2-1-510x500.jpg 510w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Paul-Ainsworth-2-1-768x753.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Paul-Ainsworth-2-1-536x525.jpg 536w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption> <strong> Paul Ainsworth</strong> </figcaption></figure>



<p>A tasty new menu has been announced for The Alfresco Diner with dishes created by five&nbsp;of Britain’s best&nbsp;chefs: <strong>Tom&nbsp;Kerridge, Rick Stein, Atul Kochhar, Paul Ainsworth</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Jason Atherton</strong>. The ultimate travelling restaurant will be serving up one-off dishes from&nbsp;these superstar chefs including Tom’s Smoked&nbsp;Applewood Cheeseburger,&nbsp;Paul’s&nbsp;Slow&nbsp;Roast Pork Burger&nbsp;complete&nbsp;with&nbsp;crackling,&nbsp;Rick’s Panzanella Salad and Smoked Mackerel Pate. And for kids there&#8217;s Tom Kerridge&#8217;s Kids Cheeseburger served with Tomato Ketchup in a Brioche Bun or an Alfresco Kid&#8217;s Picnic Box.</p>



<p>Adult tickets start from £18 for movies, £35 for comedy and music gigs, and £16 for Gruffalo tickets (ages 3+) - with each show being sold individually.<em> <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.thealfrescotheatre.co.uk/" target="_blank">thealfrescotheatre.co.uk</a>&nbsp; </em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Monthly Maker&#8217;s Market, <a href="https://thefarmstratfordshop.com/">The Farm</a>, near Stratford-upon-Avon</strong>, <strong>Sat April 24</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="647" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/Newbold-Spirit-homepage-image-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-36991" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/Newbold-Spirit-homepage-image-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/Newbold-Spirit-homepage-image-1-300x194.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/Newbold-Spirit-homepage-image-1-720x466.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2020/09/Newbold-Spirit-homepage-image-1-768x497.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The makers of Leamington&#8217;s award-winning <a href="https://newboldspirit.co.uk/">Newbold Spirit</a> gin and spiced rum will be among the brilliant local, independent businesses, artisan makers, food creators and all round food gurus at this Saturday&#8217;s outdoor event in the Goat Field from 9am-4pm, plus <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fannysfancies/">Fanny&#8217;s Fancies</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/swirlsgelato/">Swirls Gelato</a>, <a href="http://vinneufwine">Vin Neuf</a> wine merchants, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_thecookiecottage/">The Cookie Cottage</a>,  Leamington&#8217;s loaded boozy chocolate makers <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theslabb/">The Slabb</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sageandgraceuk/">Sage and Grace</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/therusticshackk/">the Rustic Shack</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/jodiefernjewellery/">Jodie Fern Jewellery</a> and the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thesteamhousebakery/">Steamhouse bakery</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Generators, new roof terrace bar</strong>, <a href="http://www.telegraph-hotel.com"><strong>The Telegraph Hotel</strong></a> &#8211; now open</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1001" height="667" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Generators-opening-1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44155" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Generators-opening-1-1.jpg 1001w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Generators-opening-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Generators-opening-1-1-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Generators-opening-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Generators-opening-1-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1001px) 100vw, 1001px" /></figure>



<p>This new sky-high city haunt  &#8211; a first in Coventry &#8211; is definitely &#8216;generating&#8217; a lot of interest! More than 3,000 people have booked to experience the cocktails and tapas at the former newspaper offices right up to mid-May when the 4-star mid-century hotel can fully open. </p>



<p>Features include 88 individually designed air-conditioned bedrooms including loft style penthouse suites on two levels, an all-day cocktail bar and restaurant dining experience, Forme &amp; Chase. Conferencing, weddings and events in the Editors function space &#8211; accommodating up to 160 guests.</p>



<p>The hotel’s most luxurious room is the Lord Iliffe Suite – named after the family who started and until recently owned the newspaper – which includes its own hot tub and terrace. There&#8217;s also the spectacular Winter Garden – a private, glazed indoor terrace only accessible from the 11 bedrooms surrounding it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://thebellwelford.co.uk/">The Bell Inn</a>, Welford on-Avon</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/0FC18502-EF54-40FE-8E9C-3847C1D426E2-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44166" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/0FC18502-EF54-40FE-8E9C-3847C1D426E2-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/0FC18502-EF54-40FE-8E9C-3847C1D426E2-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/0FC18502-EF54-40FE-8E9C-3847C1D426E2-1-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/0FC18502-EF54-40FE-8E9C-3847C1D426E2-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/0FC18502-EF54-40FE-8E9C-3847C1D426E2-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption> The pub&#8217;s lovely garden is now open </figcaption></figure>



<p>Stratford-upon-Avon couple Tony Gardner and Rita Faccenda have taken over this award-winning 300-year-old village pub after the previous owners decided to call it time after 25 years.  The&nbsp;pub has won&nbsp;the&nbsp;coveted Good Pub guides Warwickshire Dining Pub of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Year for&nbsp;the&nbsp;last six years and has recently been awarded&nbsp;the&nbsp;title for a seventh time in 2021. It&#8217;s even rumoured  Shakespeare stopped&nbsp;for a drink here on his way home to Stratford after a meeting with Drayton and Ben Johnson then got caught in heavy rain resulting him contracting fatal pneumonia. </p>



<p>Former company boss Tony has lived in Warwickshire for 20 years and was joined a year ago by his partner Rita who moved down from South Lanarkshire in Scotland. She has worked in hospitality all her life, and for the&nbsp;past 20 years owned and managed two Italian restaurants with her family.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1112" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/F824E260-83BA-4257-B0F1-7A7E5DA7C517-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44171" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/F824E260-83BA-4257-B0F1-7A7E5DA7C517-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/F824E260-83BA-4257-B0F1-7A7E5DA7C517-1-270x300.jpg 270w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/F824E260-83BA-4257-B0F1-7A7E5DA7C517-1-450x500.jpg 450w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/F824E260-83BA-4257-B0F1-7A7E5DA7C517-1-768x854.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/F824E260-83BA-4257-B0F1-7A7E5DA7C517-1-472x525.jpg 472w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Tony and Rita. Photo by Lorentz Gullachsen </figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.hilltopfarmshop.com/zacks-bar/">Zack&#8217;s Bar</a>, Hilltop Farm, Hunningham, every Fri &amp; Sat</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/pexels-brett-jordan-825661-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44170" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/pexels-brett-jordan-825661-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/pexels-brett-jordan-825661-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/pexels-brett-jordan-825661-1-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/pexels-brett-jordan-825661-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/pexels-brett-jordan-825661-1-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>One of Warwickshire&#8217;s best bars for a sundowner! Named in memory of the Ellis family&#8217;s beloved border collie this new outdoor bar is open on weekends between 5pm and 8pm serving wood-fired pizzas, burgers and local booze. A lovely panoramic spot to dine and watch the sun set over the Warwickshire countryside &#8211; especially as the weather forecast is looking <em>pretty good</em>!  Seating&#8217;s available on a first-come, first-served basis. See the menu <a href="https://www.hilltopfarmshop.com/zacks-bar/">here</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><a href="https://www.belgrade.co.uk/your-visit/food-drink/">New Belgrade Café</a>, Coventry &#8211; now open</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Nineteen-58-Belgrade-Cafe-51-scaled-e1619101289155.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44147" /></figure>



<p>The theatre&#8217;s newly refurbished and roomier in-house Belgrade Café is now open for takeaway and outdoor dining from 8am to 5pm, Mon-Sat. The new menu of locally sourced food includes nachos, loaded fries and loaded salad with toppings including guacamole, tomato salsa, salsa verde, coleslaw, sour cream, plus soft and alcoholic drinks</p>



<p>From May 17 it is planning to open seven days a week with later opening times on Fridays and Saturdays, and live music events.  The new café and upstairs bar, Nineteen 58, will open for the very first time. Live performances also start with <em>April in Paris</em> starring Joe Pasquale and Sarah Earnshaw. </p>



<p> The refurbishment was part of its £5.5 million 2020 Redevelopment Project with interiors designed by Lazzeri CreativeInteriors inspired by the Theatre’s origins and beautifully realised by Corstorphine + Wright Architects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"> <strong>Digbeth Dining Club&#8217;s</strong> <strong><a href="http://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/special-events/the-open-arms">Open Arms</a>, Warwick Castle</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="540" src="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Digbeth.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-44154" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Digbeth.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Digbeth-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Digbeth-667x500.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2021/04/Digbeth-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>One of the UK&#8217;s most scenic open-air pub gardens is now open within the Castle grounds on selected evenings until May 31 with the potential for more dates to be added.&nbsp;Located in the Castle’s main courtyard surrounded by towers and ramparts,  Digbeth Dining Club is serving street food and drinks together with music. </p>



<p>Last summer it opened for 12 weeks of sell-out sessions and is back by demand &#8211; a great place to relax after a day exploring the castle&#8217;s outdoor attractions which include the brand new Zog and the Quest for the Golden Star trail, based on Julia Donaldson&#8217;s books. It&#8217;s been carefully organised to comply with Covid guidelines, including restrictions on group sizes and household mixing.&nbsp; <br>April dates are currently sold out, with May dates available. Warwick Castle is open daily from 10am-4pm, and the Open Arms takes bookings from 5pm (6pm on Thursdays).  All payments are contactless, and tables must be booked online in advance <a href="http://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/special-events/the-open-arms">here</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Bicester&#8217;s new pizza joint</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://bucksoxon.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2021/03/Screen-Shot-2021-03-30-at-15.51.18.png" alt="" class="wp-image-114096" /></figure>



<p>Heading to Bicester Village for a post-lockdown shopping jaunt and fancy some food? Having gained a following for their crispy pizza bases, woodfired to perfection,&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/thepizzaboysbicester/" target="_blank">The Pizza Boys</a>&nbsp;are taking the next step – bricks and mortar. The Pizza Boys Bistro just opened on April 14 at<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.greenhill-leisure-park.co.uk/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Greenhill Leisure Park</a>, Bicester. And it isn’t just dough on the menu – expect breakfasts, pasta, homemade cakes, Jericho Coffee Traders drinks and a fully licensed bar. If that’s not enough, their pizza pop-up continues Weds-Fri 5-9pm at The Angel in Bicester.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/factory">Factory</a>, Fargo Village</strong></p>



<p>Finally, Fargo Village in Coventry has just announced the first street food trader at their new all-day dining hall <a href="https://www.fargovillage.co.uk/factory">Factory</a> &#8211; burger joint,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/stripclub_streetfood/">@stripclub_streetfood</a> established in 2019 is often found at live street food events across the Midlands. </p>


Superflashy newsflash: foodie special

You may also like