And then there was lunch!
It was an incredibly hot day … so getting off our feet was a high
priority … a large lunch is not my forte – but I love my food!
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| Part of the interior ... we were sitting on this raised platform |
God-daughter wanted to try out the old National Provincial
Bank, converted into a bar-restaurant: us oldies concurred! The old bank was built in 1833, but in 1869
was refurbished to the grand Victorian façade of today … Corinthian columns,
ceiling-high semi-circled topped windows.
An imposing building then … it still is … but now has a secret
story … all contrived around the life of fictional Hettie G Watson, a Victorian
botany scholar, whose wealthy father built the bank.
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| Our botanist: Hettie G Watson |
It’s very clever – the story brings Hettie to life … albeit
she does not, nor did, exist. She appears
on walls, the decorations all reflect botanical aspects … there’s a living wall
with lots of shrubbery around.
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| The private room ... showing which countries of the world Hettie has explored and the botanical specimens she has found. |
The space has been divided by Kai Design into a whimsical
interior … the imagined world of a Victorian botanist: A botanical library, a boardroom, a dining
room, a bar, an Institute of Botanics and a secret emporium.
 |
It feels cozy, yet there’s that expanse of space … we were on
the raised platform … there’s a bar, perhaps the original cashier’s counter …
Hettie has a board room available for special meetings. While the secret emporium holds bell jars of
potions and botanical oils, and where elixirs were served to all of Hettie’s
guests.
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| The entrance - we were happily drawn in ... |
The new make-over for this bank as a cocktail bar-cum-dining
experience suited us – we weren’t in the cocktail mode – but the food was
excellent, as too the service. We even
survived a fire alarm having to retire outside for a few minutes …
Well what did we have to eat …
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| No explanation needed - it was good! |
… a Sharing Platter,
which we did all tuck into: I chose the
vegetable taster: Provencal tomatoes, beetroot hummus, carrot and coriander
puree, chickpea cake, pepper spring roll, white bean puree and fresh breads.
Then we had one who desireth The Lost Gold battered fish and chips, minted pea puree and chunky
tartare sauce.
While the now graduated student had the Lost and Found Salad: mixed lettuce, pickled vegetables, quinoa,
candied beetroot, balsamic tomatoes, and gooey mozzarella balls. She did share the Sharing Platter as we'd agreed ...
 |
| Nearly all mine - this was very very good! |
We were all very happy … ‘cept the little one (young
god-daughter) needed a dessert … and who can say no at these times … we tried
two of Hettie’s Desserts:
Lemon meringue pie with raspberry ripple ice cream – all (all –
nearly!) mine!
Then mother and daughter both had the Chocolate Marquise,
clotted cream and vanilla wafer.
Coffee, tea and water followed – then we had to leave to get
back to the house to pack up the car and hit the motorway! I sat quietly by … but at one stage I thought
there was too much chit-chat going on upstairs and went to do a chase up!!
 |
| The entrance way to the Lost and Found pub |
We did get back by 9.00 pm or so – buying a few odds and ends
to snack once we got home … cheeses, salads, and all the bad things – crisps,
olives, some cooked meats … we had a hubby to feed too. By then we needed our vino … and enjoyed our
very informal supper in the conservatory ... and did no unpacking of the car!
Well that was one of my day’s out during the summer … it was
during one of the few days when it was really hot. The final wrap up of the house was done a
week later when mother went up for another car load, and littlie stayed up to
party and say her goodbyes …
 |
| The Great Wall card I received ... clever isn't it? |
… before jetting off to Beijing, China – where she had a 7
week work placement – yes she’s one bright lady and now writes in Mandarin! Then she had a three – four week travel trip.
Hope you enjoyed our lunch?
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
34 comments:
That lunch, and indeed the whole outing sounds really, really good.
I hope you did get your catch up, and that it was wonderful.
This bar restaurant looks so beautiful ! I would have enjoyed the fish & chips for sure !
@ EC - it was a fun time. We've had telephone and brief email contact - with her parents too - but she's north of London and I'm down here. She's settling in and looking to the future ... so it looks like we'll have to wait a few weeks ...
@ Gattina - yes the fish and chips did look good - but L did think afterwards she should have had some thing different!
Cheers to you both - Hilary
That food all looks really nice - but I'd have preferred a plate for the fish and chips.
I do approve of the slightly unconventioal use of an old bank though, especially the part about Hettie. I'm sure there must have been real women like her as the Victorians seem to have been very keen on studying varios sciences.
That is quite a spread to enjoy
Interesting looking place and the food looks scrumptious. I guess from what you have said you had a wonderful day meeting up. Have a good weekend Diane
What a lovely outing! Everyone's food looked delicious. I've never had beetroot hummus and would love to try it. Writing Mandarin Chinese as a second language takes a lot of dedication . . . very impressive!
What a wonderful lunch! Thank you for sharing with us. I love a place with a secret story. And those desserts... Mmm! Have a lovely weekend.
Your choices look so good. What a fun day it must have been.
The food looks good, but the architecture! The building and what they done with it is gorgeous.
@ Patsy - the food was good - I guess that's their way of serving the fish and chips up - I quite liked the greaseproof paper lining!
There definitely were women like Hettie .. but I loved the concept of the fictional heroine of the Old Bank .. and the way the idea has been crafted into the concept.
@ Steve - it was a fun day and we needed some sustenance.
@ Diane - we had a wonderful couple of days and I saw Birmingham (a bit of) and we had a good catch up - before the god-child went off to China.
@ Kittie - I hadn't had beetroot hummus either .. and it was good, as too the white bean puree .. it was a good platter mix. My god-daughter has done really well with her Chinese studies - she got a first at Uni ... and they had more tuition when she was out there working. Now we'll see what happens!
@ Christine - it was a fun time and the idea of the secret botanist was just lovely ... the various places had little snippets of interest attached to them - so one could almost imagine the botanist's garden out back. Pud - is not my favourite .. but these were enjoyed!
@ Teresa - I had a lovely couple of days north of London and our trip to Birmingham was a great meet up with my goddaughter. Food wasn't bad either!
@ Holly - the food was delicious. The concept is great isn't it ... and the idea behind the Old Bank - giving it new life as Hettie's secret botanical hideaway - was great fun to see.
Thanks everyone - it was a very good choice of my goddaughter! Hilary
what a unique lunch experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the tastings and I would have stolen your dessert. Excellent adventure and nice pics
What a fantastic place to eat! Heck, I would have been happy just to visit, and look around... they wouldn't have even had to feed me. However, it is entirely possible that I could have been persuaded to try some of those desserts. They look delicious!
Happy weekend!
O I am positively salivating Hilary thank you! What a delightful day and company and surroundings! All looks very grand and perfect!
Thank you for this ... my tummy is rumbling!
The lunch looked delicious. What a interesting restaurant. It definitely sounds like you had a wonderful day. Those desserts look especially good.
What a fun outing - I'd certainly like to have lunch with a Victorian botanist. And you too, of course. :-)
@ Joanne - it certainly was a unique interior - my poor dessert seems to be disappearing fast, now the bloggers are reaching over with their spoons! Thanks ...
@ Susan - it was a really good choice wasn't it ... the food was very good - sad Birmingham is up there, and not near here! We were good at sharing ... so we'd have been happy to share some more ... it was all delicious.
@ Susan - I know it was a fun place to 'crash' out in on such a hot day. We had such a fun time chatting away and thinking about the future - it was a perfect get together. Reminded us of South Africa - as we'd met out there.
@ Murees - they are being quite inventive with new restaurants .. so eating out can be in fascinating places. Another dessert lover!
@ Deborah - we had a lovely time - and the Victorian Botanist gave us extra things to think about .. thanks it'd be fun to meet up.
Cheers to you all - Hettie too would love you to visit! Hilary
I love old buildings being revamped for use today - and with such an interesting twist. I love how much detail has gone into the fictional life of Hettie.
That all looks so good! I can't decide what looks tastiest.
That fish is... well... a proper fish. :-) You have the most fascinating stories ever. What a lovely place.
Greetings from London.
@ Annalisa - I agree with you .. it's the clever way designers convert our old buildings. I was bemused by the tale of the fictional Hettie - but couldn't find out much else than what came up here ... I'm sure if went back to the restaurant I'd find more ... but from down here ... it amuses and is such a clever idea ...
@ Robert - they were all good ...and the day was fun ...
@ ACIL - yes a proper fish .. the cod looked succulent when it was cut into ... but I'm glad I had my starter. Thanks so much - I aim to please everyone who cares to read, and all who care to comment. My first visit to Birmingham was a happy time - but I'd like to go back at some stage ... other areas to see and explore.
Cheers to you - Birmingham is a good place to visit .. Hilary
What a beautiful place to have lunch! It looks and sounds delicious! I am hungry now! :) So interesting that Hettie is fictional. Glad you are having such fun. :)
~Jess
Oh awesome. Yes please, send the desert my way. I always have to skip desert when I'm out because I'm so full from dinner. Sometime I'm going to have desert first and dinner to go, lol.
@ Jess - it was an interesting interior, good food and good service ... and to find Hettie was a contrived character for the bar/restaurant was an interesting take on naming a food and cocktail venue.
@ Donna - ok I'll try and send the meringue across ... might get a little wet and become soggy!! Changing the courses around could be a good idea - there's no reason we should have savoury first ... and then you'd get your dessert. I try not to eat them!
Cheers to you both and thanks for visiting .. Hilary
When the world is in the right mood, people behave so very cleverly and creatively. Wonderful architecture, imaginative food, young and bright students, experienced grown ups making delectable choices...... I wish we could repeat the formula in all corners of the world and never fight. Salut!
What an interesting place! I love the whole décor based on a fictional person twist, and the food looks great.
how cool to eat in an old bank!
Definitely enjoyed the lunch menu, especially the vegetable taster and lemon meringue pie! Also loved taking the vicarious trip with you.
Although I've heard of restaurants themed around fictional characters: Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Who, etc ... I've never heard of a place that invents its own fictional botanist!
@ Beste - what a great comment ... so appropriate: "if we could repeat the formula in all corners of the world and never fight" ... that would make a lot of difference.
@ Jean - it's a fun concept isn't it.. and the food was great.
@ Theresa - I know - raised above the bustling floor, overlooking the cashiers in the distance ..
@ Gail - good to see you .. and wasn't the menu fun .. delicious tasting too. Am happy to have you along when I travel away ....
@ Dianne - yes the themed around is a clever concept too - but creating a character is genius ... especially a botanist for a restaurant.
Thanks to you all for visiting .. lovely to have you here sharing my lunch venue .. cheers Hilary
I would love to go there! What an amazing place. So glad you had such a nice lunch with special people.
Clotted cream - I still dream of it. I never see that around here (probably a good thing.)
Hi Lynn - I wouldn't mind going back!! It was a special day - about to have clotted cream tonight?! It looks like it's not imported - perhaps to v expensive places!! Sorreeee - you'll have to visit?! Cheers Hilary
What an impressive lunch. What an outstanding restaurant. The building looks gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Jeffrey - it was such an interesting place to find out about - clever marketing ... and delicious too - cheers Hilary
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