#thenibblereport

Wagamama - B'ham - 5/5

Yasai steamed gyoza, chilli squid, pork belly hirata steamed buns, beef brisket ramen and teriyaki chicken donburi

Ingredients

135g salted butter

55g cocoa powder

350g granulated sugar

1sp vanilla extract

110g plain flour

3 eggs

Instructions

Preheat oven to 180c/gas 4. Grease a deep 18cm (7in) cake tin, line the base with a circle of baking parchment, grease this as well, then flour the inside of the tin.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan. Remove from the heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin and bake for 20-30m - it should be set around the edges but still gooey in the middle.

EatEnjoy - 3/5

ZENB Veggie Bites - 2/5

Carrot, Pineapple and Coriander

So I was initially really impressed with this packaging, very sleek, cool and functional. Didn't give much away in terms of the product itself so I expected some form of snack crisp or maybe dried fruit etc.. when I opened it up I saw what looked like fudge. And it had a lovely natural, healthy look to it. Even better, I thought! I put one in my mouth whole and after a few bites instantly regretted that decision. 

I had to check the packet a few times just to make sure this wasn't meant for small furries. I was so looking forward to a really healthy snack packed full of veggies! I'm so upset I just couldn't get over the taste. 

I'm not sure if it's meant to be sweet or not, and while the texture was pleasant the only flavour I was getting was cabbage.. is that how it's meant to taste? I didn't get any carrot, pineapple or coriander.. or much sweetness at all? If it didn't have the cabbage in it I'd absolutely give it a chance.

Mude Play - 2/5

Immunoboost with a hint of melon & raspberry

(I added raspberries to the glass, this is not an official serving suggestion) The best thing I can say about it is that it definitely tastes natural, and good for you.. and it probably is quite good for you. Unfortunately that's where the positives end for me. 

I understand what Mude were going for with this product, but it really doesn't work for me. The energy drink style design of the can? For an alcoholic free beer? No real mention of it being a beer at all besides "brewed drink" on the back. It didn't taste at all like melon, or raspberry.. or anything really other than a very slight beer-y taste? 

I'm not sure whether the intention was for this to be an alternative to unhealthy fizzy drinks or for actual beer.. but it feels like it's going in a few too many directions? It's presented as a casual drink as opposed to being an alcohol free beer but I don't know who would want something that kind of tastes like beer instead of for example a coke? 

I respect their intentions and what they're trying to achieve, but I think it's got a way to go yet.. I'm not sure on their demographic or if their aiming this product in the right direction. 

Las Iguanas - Birmingham - 2/5

The Order: Vegan Nachos Not pictured: Copacabana Burger, Bahian Coconut Chicken

Vegan Nachos:

They were okay. Can't go wrong with nachos, surely? Cashew cream was missing, so had to get that after. Which was okay. Cheese for some reason was half melted..? It just looked like it was rushed (which considering the fact that there was 40 minute wait is questionable) and half heated.  

Note: after nearly an hour wait (in a sparsely occupied restaurant) sitting next to clearly underage individuals taking full advantage of a bottomless brunch.. and displaying the effects of that.. and having a generally disappointing meal arrive.. I didn't wait around to take photos, so sincerest apologies for the text-only review on the following:

The Copacabana Burger:

It was just an okay chicken burger. Nothing outstanding nor spectacular.  Best part about it was the, admittedly, perfectly cooked curly fries.  

Bahian Coconut Chicken:

Honestly the most disappointing meal I've ever seen, or had. There was a sparse scattering of mushy white rice and some "greens" on a plate, several minutes later a candle-heated bowl with the "coconut chicken" arrived. It was just a very weak chicken curry, nowhere near as fragrant or flavorful as described. I could've, and have, made better at home.

Joe's Pizza - Burntwood - 2/5

12" Create your own (Canadian bacon, mushrooms, pepperoni and salami), Garlic Bread, Chicken Breast Fillets and Chips

Now I'll start by saying the rating for this meal would've been higher if anything besides the pizza had arrived warm (nevermind hot). They had obviously not stored anything properly, as it was all soggy and lukewarm.

The pizza: Probably the greasiest thing I've seen. That's fine for some people, but personally? It was just okay. 👎

Garlic bread: As pictured, lots of herbs and oil on one half of one piece and barely anything on the others, also chewy and nearly cold. Unpleasant.

Chicken fillets and chips: If the chicken were warm it would've been okay, but that's it. The fries were soggy and cold.

Ingredients

150g digestives, crushed

75g butter

200g cream cheese

50g caster sugar

1 packet of dream topping (made up with 125ml cold milk)

Fruit to decorate, optional

Instructions

Line 7 or 8 inch tin with foil or cling film

Mix digestives with melted butter, press into the tin and chill

Grate zest of a lemon and squeeze out the juice

Mix zest with cream cheese and sugar

Add lemon juice and mix well

Mix dream topping and stir into cheese mix

Spread over the biscuit base and chill