Some weekends are for slow sipping and strolling through history. Others are for clinking glasses, laughing a little louder, and ordering “just one more”. The past two weekends have been the perfect mix of both.
Porcelain, Pastries & Proper Tea
Two weekends ago, I experienced my first ever afternoon tea — and what better excuse than Valentine’s Day?
We booked in at the sweetest little spot, Gratitude Cafe in Wellington, and from the moment we walked in, I was completely charmed. The interior was cozy and beautifully styled — the kind of place that makes you instantly relax and feel looked after.
We opted for the standard afternoon tea, and honestly, it was more than enough (we even took some home). Our tiered stand arrived stacked with:
- Dainty finger sandwiches
- Savory bites
- Freshly baked scones
- An assortment of delicate cakes
- Unlimited tea and coffee
Everything felt so classic and indulgent. There’s something about afternoon tea that forces you to slow down — to savor, to chat, and to just be.
To make it even more special, the weather was absolutely beautiful. After finishing up, we wandered through the historic market town of Wellington — a town with over 1,400 years of history. We strolled past independent shops and stopped by Wellington Market Hall, a historic marketplace that has stood since 1244. It’s simple, full of character, and such a lovely reminder of the town’s long-standing traditions.
It was the kind of day that feels soft around the edges — simple, sweet, and full of gratitude.
Mimosas & Main Character Energy
Fast forward to this past weekend, and the vibe was completely different — in the best way.
I headed to Birmingham for bottomless brunch with my future sister-in-law, and we chose Revolución de Cuba for a fun, vibrant atmosphere. From the moment we were seated, the energy was high. We were handed a mimosa straight away (a strong start!) and settled in for an afternoon of sipping and serious catching up.
I went for the Avocado Brunch — toasted ciabatta topped with two perfectly poached eggs, avocado, plum tomatoes, homemade guacamole, spring onion, pickled chillies, and fresh coriander. It was fresh, colorful, and absolutely loaded. The portion was massive — I couldn’t even come close to finishing it.
My sister-in-law chose the fried chicken burger with French fries, and she thoroughly enjoyed every bite.
Now let’s talk drinks — because bottomless really means bottomless. Between us, we worked our way through:
- Cuban sangria
- Rum punch
- Tequila & Ting
- Beefeater pink gin & lemonade
Each one packed a punch (some more than others 😅), and by the end of brunch, we were feeling perfectly happy and ready to take on Birmingham.
We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping, laughing, chatting, and enjoying that tipsy-but-productive energy that only bottomless brunch can provide.
Double Date, Double Flavor
After a full day of sipping and shopping, we met up with our other halves and headed to Selly Oak — a suburb in south-west Birmingham — for a double date at Kimchi Korean Restaurant.
And honestly? What a way to end the day.
We each ordered what we fancied (no strategic sharing plans here 😅), which meant the table ended up looking like an absolute feast anyway.
Between us, starters included:
- Kimchi Jeon
- Dumplings
- Korean boneless chicken
- Korean fried chicken wings
While we didn’t intentionally order to share, I obviously had to try a bite or two from the other plates — purely for research purposes. Every single plate was incredible. Crispy, flavor-packed, perfectly seasoned — the kind of starters where you keep saying, “okay, just one more bite.”
For mains, we went all in on bold flavors:
- Spicy pork sizzlers
- Spicy pulled beef hot pot
- Fried rice
The depth of flavor in every dish was honestly astonishing. Rich, spicy, comforting — the kind of food that lingers in your mind long after you’ve left the restaurant. This place absolutely smashed it, and I already can’t wait to go back. Next time, we’re definitely trying the Korean BBQ experience.
From Elegant Teacups to Bottomless Brunch & Bold Korean Flavors
I love weekends like these — where one feels soft and romantic, and the next feels vibrant and spontaneous. From my first afternoon tea in historic Wellington to bottomless cocktails in Birmingham and flavor-packed Korean dishes in Selly Oak, it was the perfect reminder that adventure doesn’t always mean far away.
Sometimes it’s just about saying yes to good food, good company, and trying something new.
And honestly? I wouldn’t change a single bite.
Plates n Places 