Paul Fulford
@paulfulford
Ex-journo with a passion for wine, food and Birmingham City. Left-leaning.
Angels can be found in the most unlikely places. This one was taking a nap in the hollow of a tree opposite Dads Lane chip shop.
Now here's an intriguing Alsace wine - Rien ne Bouge, a blend of pinot noir and gerwurztraminer that's a beautiful shade of pale red with layers of summer fruit, lychee and elderflower. Thanks to the Wine Society for listing it!
Excellent lamb souvlaki in the sunshine in the fabulous new garden at Greek Aura in Moseley - a lovely way to spend a summer evening with family.
Perfect heatwave breakfast at The Den in Stirchley, Birmingham - a BLT sharpened with lightly pickled onions and grapes washed down with a refreshing pint of orange radler.
Chilled melon soup sharpened with Minus 8 Vinegar and garnished with oregano, feta, black olives and evoo - perfect in this heat.
Just the second day of July and already the blackberries in Highbury Park are ripening.
Top marks to the excellent Wine Society for stocking this absolute bargain - £7.95 for a South African shiraz that's uncomplicated but bursting with black fruit and spices. Went beautifully well with bangers and mash.
Back in Birmingham and enjoying the sunshine but still dreaming of this sensational tasting menu at the magnificent two Michelin star L'Auberge de Saint-Remy in Provence.
A lunch featuring brilliant wine, flawless service and food of incredible complexity and deliciousness at the two Michelin star Auberge de St Remy de Provence today.
Not exactly a light lunch: Gardiane de Taureau - Camargue bull stew very similar to a daube.
Excellent brebis and quince dressed with good olive oil and pepper to finish a long, enjoyable lunch at the charming Edu in St Remy de Provence.
incent Van Gogh's room at the former monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole near Remy de Provence, where he was incarated in 1889-90 after a breakdown.
Escargots a la bourginonn rich with garlic, butter and nutmeg, a beautifully cooked entrecote with silky celeriac puree, roasted carrot and sticky, deep jus, a stunning cheeseboard and quite splendid ile flottante at Bistrot Saint Roch in Mausanne, Provence, has
Fabulous food, service and atmosphere M Restaurant in the centre of beautiful Lyon - a purple artichoke salad followed by superb guinea fowl.
Lunch at Train Bleu at Gare de Lyon in Paris - a club sandwich and glass of Aloxe-Corton. Beats a cup of coffee and sandwich at New Street Station.
If you can get tickets, grab the chance to see Bertolt Brecht's The Resisitible Rise Of Arturo Ui at the RSC in Stratford until May 30 - brilliantly staged, brilliantly acted, powerful and so terrifyingly prescient. Mark Gatiss in the title role is magnificent.
Roasted beetroot dressed with Minus 8 Vinegar and served with oregano whipped ricotta, mixed leaves, walnuts and Sicilian evoo.
Beautiful banana bread with blueberry compote and lemon demerara crumb in the garden at The Den in Stirchley.
First visit to Samo Bistro in Birmingham's Great Western Arcade - and certainly not the last. Great service, great prices and dishes that are uncomplicated but prepared with proper skill and care.
The rhubard and custard French toast at The Den in Stirchley is magnificent - indulgent and a beautifully balanced thanks to splodges of sharp rhubard gel.