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SECRET SUPPERING
It's been far too long since an envelope-pusher of a chef did some covert supper clubbing in this city. Step up the team behind Two Cats and more recently Salt & Earth, with a nine-courser in an undisclosed locale. The new concept, 34%Burnt (a song ref, not a reflection on the cooking), has one central, laudable aim: intense deliciousness and Niki's been working on the menu basically since Two Cats closed in 2017, so something tells us this is going to be one of the special 'uns. The experience, which is limited to eight people, includes dishes like caviar, avocado and Cretan olive oil as well as the wild garlic and chives over roasted macadamia panna cotta (pictured). Get your spot for £80, which also includes various matched wines and cocktails. You’ll find out where you’re eating once you’ve booked. On May 16, 17, 18, 23 and 24, book.
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THE VIRTUAL, IRL
In this increasingly connected world, artists Cybertwee explore the curated versions of our lives, and distortion between fantasy and reality through In Real Life (IRL). The cutesy looking exhibition, which includes a wifi Kitty, snow globe and butterfly automata, explores what kinds of animals or electronic chimeras might accompany a future in which cyborgs infiltrate every aspect of companionship. Light stuff, then. The moving millipede/Barbie sculpture (above) imagines a time when A.I. sex bots escape their creators gaze, questioning through the excessive use of legs whether practical considerations, like walking, would influence their new form. Via a VR headset you can also visit the fictional Cybertwee HQ, a predominantly pink world full of digital art. At BOM, a minute from New Street Station. Until May 25, free entry. More
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HEY THERE, GOOD LOOKING
It's the Jewellery Quarter's turn to take a big ol' bow today, starring as it does in the latest in a series of illustrated Birmingham maps. Having ticked off Digbeth, Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley, Tom Woolley has turned his attention to the JQ, asking Twitter what to include as his starting point. Tom was particularly keen to show the industrial history of the quarter and picked out the Museum of the JQ, Warstone Lane Cemetery and sites such as James Watts' blue plaque for the map. After that, it was a case of slotting in social spots, with The Lord Clifden and 1000 Trades making it to ink. As of right now, you can get the new design in A4 (£10) and A3 (£15) here, or get yourself one up at the Coffin Works' shop from tomorrow. And in case you can't pick on location, or you already own anything like as much Brum art as us, Tom also does postcard packs including the full set of his Birmingham designs (£7).
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Venue: Jamaya; Upstairs at Touchwood, Solihull, B91 3QW; website
Choice: Fried chicken, in various forms Chooser: Waiter
How many Pointless answers can you get? The category is restaurants in Midlands' shopping centres. Based on our completely fictitious poll of 100 people, the worst answers include: Jamie's Italian, Pizza Express and Giraffe. If you answered Ashas or Jamaya, you're going home with the cash as well as that Pointless trophy and a clear penchant for new, independent openers at Touchwood. Already familiar with Ashas' work from its Newhall Hill stalwart, we opted for lunch at total newbie, Jamaya. The booth-filled, neon, Caribbean, spot is a fam-friendly all-dayer serving up platters, patties, burgers, rotis and a big game in sides. The welcome is strong, service is swift and the price tag is really rather reasonable (burgers are from £6.50, a whole jerk chicken is £14). And though the food isn't about to put Bonehead out of business, the fried chicken — which comes in a roti, in a burger, or as wings, breast or thigh — was our crunchy, tender pick, especially when double-dipped in "jamayo", a spiced up take on Hellmann's. Jamaya is a refreshing surprise that'll do the job rather better than your average. Menu
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