J'AIME JANUARY 2020

F O O D & D R I N K
Countryside charm
VILLAGE TRADITION MEETS CONTEMPORARY STYLE THANKS TO AN IMPRESSIVE
MAKEOVER AT THE GREEN MAN IN MIDDLETON, AS AMY NORBURY DISCOVERED
The cornerstone of any British village
is the village pub. A place to meet,
eat, drink and discuss, the village pub
rightfully claims its place in the good old
fashioned British book of tradition.
And more and more, these quaint
village pubs are marking themselves
out as dining destinations in their own
right. The much-loved Green Man in
Middleton, just outside Sutton Coldfield,
has long attracted visitors from near and
far, but significant recent investment has
given the pub an incredible new lease of
life which is sure to see punters flocking.
The pub has also introduced a brandnew
menu; a carefully curated collection
of dishes that deliver a refreshing country dining
experience, featuring delicious flavours, inspired by
the seasons and the best the countryside has to offer.
The J’AIME team were among the first to sample the
new-look Green Man at a preview event ahead of
the official reopening last month.
The pub has undergone a top to tail transformation,
taking inspiration from some of the UK’s most
stylish country dining and drinking hotspots. The
sophisticated decor combines deep browns, dark
greens and golds inspired by nature, while brass and
velvet finishes add a luxurious touch, creating an
authentic and cosy feel. Expertly curated furniture,
eye-catching artwork and feature finishing touches
ensure the pub gives off a seriously stylish vibe.
Expect to see images of the statement lighting, quirky
details and - dare I say it? - beautiful bathrooms
coming to an Instagram near you soon.
A new bookable private dining space has also been
added, creating a cosy area for birthday celebrations,
meetings and private functions.
We were greeted by the friendly management team
and offered a selection of menus to peruse while we
sipped on ice-cold G&Ts from the impressive gin
selection, teamed with a whole host of choose-yourown
garnishes.
If you’re attempting Veganuary this month then
never fear; there’s a fairly substantial dedicated vegan
menu to explore which features an array of tempting
dishes including a plant-based burger with coconut
tzatziki and tomato tapenade, £13.95; a falafel,
roasted butternut squash and avocado nourish bowl
packed with veggie goodness, £10.50; and a spiced
coconut curry with miso sesame aubergine and sticky
jasmine rice, £12.25.
And the introduction of vegan vanilla ice cream
means there are plenty of tasty pud options too.
But there were no diet restrictions here, so into the
main menu we ploughed.
To start, I opted for the seared wild Atlantic scallops
with lobster and crab bonbons and a pea and truffle
veloute, £11.75. It was a generous portion, with the
sizable scallops simply seasoned and well cooked
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