Slowly but surely, Birmingham is getting some of the best stores on to our high street. Monki is due to open next year and I hope that we get an And Other Stories soon too. A store that recently opened was Arket, a retailer with a Nordic vibe. Best thing is the store has a cafe inside. Perfect for when you need a sit down or snack because shopping has become just so tiring.
The clothing has a minimalist vibe, you can tell they are a sister brand of Monki, Cos and H and M. The colours were autumnal, materials were high quality and choice is vast. As well as Mens, Womens and Kids clothing, there is also Homeware. I spotted some lovely pieces, that would make great gifts. I have my eye on a aubergine plate, yes my obsession is real!
The cafe gas some great options, sandwiches, pastries, salads, soups and even hot drinks, all with a Nordic twist. There are a number of options for vegans too. From a panini, wrap, chocolate cake, salad and plant based milks.
I was lucky that I visited with Ting, so I could share the vegan options with her. We both tried the Pea Hummus & Crispy Greens wrap and the Hummus & Avocado Panini. Both were super tasty, the bread in both was soft and flavoursome but the wrap was my favourite. The greens were chunky and included cucumber, carrot and gherkin and the crispy element gave it depth. I would go back for that. Whereas the decaf coffee was very bitty looking and didn't taste very good, I wouldn't go back for that. However, I saw that the caffeinated version looked lovely and I was told it tasted good too. Damn you IBS, stopping me from having the good stuff.
The annoying thing is that they don't have allergens listed so you do have to ask but most of the veggie options are vegan but make sure. If you fancy something sweet then the vegan Chocolate Cake is a great option. There are two options, one with sesame seeds and one with almonds. It's the perfect size, as the cake is rich and you can taste the coffee element in it too. I highly recommend it.
I can't wait to go back to try out their salad and soup options really soon. Plus, I will be heading there on Boxing Day as I have my eye on a number of their clothing.
**The views in this blog are my own but the meal and preview were complimentary**
Would I go back? Yes
How did they cope with the vegan dietary requirement? Allergens are not labelled but the staff were knowledgeable about the vegan options
What are the prices like? The full panini and wrap are £5.90 and the chocolate cake is £1.90. Not bad for the portion size and quality of the bread and ingredients.
What is eatery best for? A quick snack when you need a break from shopping
Hope you enjoyed this review. Let me know if you're been and what you thought
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