Sunday Lunch, Orelle Restaurant, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, 2024

Orelle restaurant is 24 floors up on the top floor of 103 Colmore Rd. As part of the IgersbirminghamUK team, we were invited to take photographs in 2022 just before the restaurant was open to the public.  The views from the restaurant were outstanding.  At the time, I remember saying one day “I will be back for a meal”.  Fast forward to our 40th wedding anniversary and our three daughters gave us money as a gift to use for a meal out.  Reading the reviews, I noted that Orelle was voted the best restaurant in Birmingham in 2024.  Furthermore, the reviews for the Sunday lunch menu have been consistently rated as good.  Therefore, we booked and looked forward to our day at Orelle.

Sunday Lunch, Orelle Restaurant, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, 2024
Sandy and Damien celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary

Leaving the lift on the 24th floor, the view of Birmingham takes your breath away.  The view of the city is spectacular and I immediately spotted the Rotunda and Moor Street.  The restaurant has a convivial ambiance and the staff are polite and courteous. We were shown to our table by the north window which gave us an uninterrupted view over St Phillip’s Cathedral and Snow Hill .  Our waiter was very attentive to our needs, and we ordered our drinks and then reviewed the menu.  Sandy is allergic to shellfish and the waiter explained that he would alert the kitchen and as a check we would notice a pink sticker on our order.  This indicated that the kitchen were aware of the allergy and ensured that no utensils or plates were mixed. 

Sunday Lunch, Orelle Restaurant, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, 2024
The view over St Philip’s cathedral.

Sandy chose the warmed sourdough bread with salted French butter.  The bread roll was generous and there was plenty for both of us.  This was useful as I selected the Ham hock terrine with pickled vegetables, pineapple and toasted sourdough.  I used the remaining bread with my starter.  The food was well presented and the terrine had a pleasing flavour.  

Sunday Lunch, Orelle Restaurant, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, 2024
Our lunch prior to adding the vegetables.

For our Sunday lunch main course, we both selected the Surlonge rôtie which was 35 day aged Cumbrian sirloin.  There was a generous sized Yorkshire pudding and the vegetables came in small pans placed in the centre of the table.  If I had one criticism then it must be the gravy.  There could have been a more generous serving.  Luckily the amount of gravy was just sufficient for both us and we did not have to ask for more.  The meat was cooked to our preference of medium with little fat and we tucked into a good lunch.  

For drinks, I chose a beer and selected the excellent 21 Pale Ale Citra  made by Brew by numbers.  I saw that there was an excellent range of wines.  Sandy chose a non-alcoholic cocktail which was not to her taste.  She persevered with it but then reverted to water.  We should have exchanged the cocktail for a more pleasing one.

Following on from the main course there was space for dessert. Sandy and I parted ways.  Sandy chose the Chocolat et Yuzu which was a milk chocolate mousse, walnut brownie, yuzu caramel and vanilla ice cream.  I went for the Crème brûlée consisting of spiced orange, macerated berries and vanilla sable.  Both were nicely presented and were lovely end to the lunch.

Sunday Lunch, Orelle Restaurant, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, 2024
Chocolat et Yuzu
Sunday Lunch, Orelle Restaurant, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, 2024
Crème brûlée

Throughout the meal, we admired the view and watched the clouds move through the landscape.  We saw the trams and trains pass through Snow Hill.  When we started, the restaurant was relatively quiet but when we finished by late afternoon, the place was full and there were one or two parties waiting to sit down.  Not once did we feel rushed or interrupted by the activities of a busy restaurant.

Sunday Lunch, Orelle Restaurant, 103 Colmore Row, Birmingham, 2024
Looking up to the top of 103 Colmore Row

Overall impressions 

Sunday lunch at Orelle is all about the experience.  The view from the top floor is unparalleled and provides a super backdrop whilst you are enjoying your food.  The meal was very good.  Service was of a high standard and we both enjoyed our Sunday lunch menu.  One may say that the place is expensive but this was a special occasion.  The expense was worth it as we had a marvellous time.  We reflected over coffee that whilst we would not be making Sunday lunch a regular pursuit at Orelle, we would come back again. I would recommend a visit and you will understand why the restaurant is voted as the best in Birmingham.

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Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.

The sun people.

The golden ticket on a beautiful September evening was a 155 metres journey to the top of the Octagon skyscraper.  The invite from Core-marketing on behalf of Paradise Birmingham brought out the great and the good of the photographic fraternity in Birmingham.  There were many people disappointed that they were not there to celebrate the “topping out” of this iconic skyscraper.  Over 60 photographers gathered at the base of the Octagon waiting to be taken up the 49 floors to the very top of the building.  Our “lift” was a hoist which was a platform cage that pointed away from the building. This took up the first 25 photographers.  Then there was an anxious wait as the hoist came back down for the rest of us. We did not want to miss the sunset.  The cage of the hoist was bordered by a metal grill and as we climbed the outside of the building to the very top , our mobile phones recorded the journey.  

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Our “hoist” to the top.

We were greeted with a beautiful golden sun that was setting in the West over Edgbaston reservoir.  The 360 degrees view was spectacular and with time the familiar landmarks around Birmingham came into focus.  There was Broad Street, the Rotunda, the Cube and the BT Tower.   Further away the Aston Expressway together with various mosques and churches scattered around the horizon could be seen.  The serious photographers were very active.  Cameras were pointed at the view and many pictures were taken.  There were two levels at the crown of the Octagon, the main level with a metal barrier around the periphery and then a central raised column accessed by a metal staircase, provided a clearer view.  There were various cameras on display ranging from super zoom telescopic lenses right down to the humble mobile phone.  The social media channels were going to be saturated with views of  Birmingham. Nicky Warwickshire, James never Jim and myself (dammodammo) were there representing the IgersbirminghamUK team!

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The crown of the Octagon.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The view of the sunset over Edgbaston Reservoir.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Capturing the sunset.

Sunset was upon us and we gathered to pay homage to the setting of the sun.  I was reminded of the Bowie song “Memory of a Free Festival” and the lyrics of the song resonated with me. “The sun machine is going down and we are going to have a party”.  This time there was no music just the quiet clicking of camera shutters.  However, the fun wasn’t finished.   The lights of the city came on and car headlights lights started streaking down the streets like small silver dots.  Suddenly you could see into the illuminated offices hidden during the day by reflective glass. Trams and buses were gracefully moving along the streets.  Particular views that I enjoyed included Moor Street station and the Birmingham canal navigations.  

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The view from the Octagon

Needless to say we all took so many pictures that saturation point was quickly reached and then the time came to descend back down the hoist and catch the train home.  In my excitement, I forgot to get a picture of the moonrise but luckily many other photographers filled that void and I was able to see their views of the moon. One photographer Pete Davies was at Edgbaston reservoir and he captured the moonrise next to the Octagon. You can just make out the photographers on the top.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Tram passing through Victoria Square.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Cars on the Expressway.

We were discussing the visit and how  spectacular the tower construction was on the train home.  One of the Octagon project leaders was on the same train home and he gave us a fascinating insight into how the structure had been built and what was involved in its construction.  Our conversation took in previous buildings such as the Cube and what was in store for Birmingham in the future.  This was a really enjoyable evening and I knew that there was still the morning sunrise to look forward to.  However the weather forecast didn’t look too promising but then again we wait and see.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Final look at the sunset glow on our way home.

The sunrise shift.

Getting up at 4:00am was not easy but once I got moving, I was wide awake.  After a quick breakfast and walking the dog, I drove into Birmingham and parked up in Brindley Place. Birmingham City Centre was very quiet with only a few people moving around. I walked briskly through Centenary square, past the library, into Chamberlain place and on to the Octagon for the morning session. There were far fewer photographers gathered at the base of the building.  Getting up early appears to be a much more difficult activity for a photographer than the evening sunset.   The weather was dull and the golden glow of yesterday evening was quickly forgotten as we checked in and made our way to the “hoist”.  Soon we were back travelling on the outside of the building. This was now familiar territory and recording the journey up was much easier the second time around. 

Going up the Octogen

 When we arrived at the crown, the first thing I noticed was the wind and the cold.  Night had not loosened its grip of the new day and the bright city lights were still shining.  I got out my camera and started taking pictures. There were some opportunities to take some long exposures of the rush hour traffic that was starting to stream into the City.    Reviewing other people’s photographs, I realized that I had missed some buildings and I made sure that I got St. Paul’s church and the Big Pen in the Jewellery Quarter.  There were a few other places that I had forgotten all about from last night and this was the most exciting part of the visit, taking new views of the city. 

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The rush hour into the City along Suffolk Street Queensway.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
A Bus moving down Broad street.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Centenary Square
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Cambrian Wharf.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
St Paul’s Church
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The Big Pen and the JQ in the early morning mist.
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
The mist rolls in.

Slowly the dawn crept forward and banished the dark of the night.  The wind seemed to be increasing and I was glad that I had my jumper with me to add to the layers of clothers that I was wearing.  A mist started rolling in and unsurprisingly, there was no sunrise but I knew the sun was out there somewhere.  With my remaining time, I started looking for unusual shots around the building.   BBC West Midlands radio were present, interviewing people who were getting ready for the topping out ceremony that was taking place later that day.   

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Interviews for BBC West Midlands Radio.

This visit was a quieter affair.  Mindfulness is a wonderful feeling and I stood taking in the view which was much more rewarding than just wanting to use my camera.  I had taken all the pictures that I needed and went back down the hoist for the final time.  There was a touch of sadness as I had really enjoyed my two visits to the top of the Octagon.   This 49 floor skyscraper is ready for future residential living and the plan is to rent out the apartments.   The building will soon be completed and then the army of construction workers will move on to the next tall building.  Birmingham is an exciting place and is changing all the time.  I hope to go up the next building that gets finished, but in the meantime, I left with good thoughts as I wandered back through the city to my car.  There were more workers out and about getting ready for the day,   I had already completed a day on top of the Octagon and now I was getting ready for a second day.  I looked forward to getting my pictures together and telling people how much I had enjoyed my visit to the Octagon.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Bolt and Bokeh
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Hoist Call
Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Hook and crane

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to all at the Octagon who allowed these amazing visits to take place.  I do hope you enjoyed reading about my visit to the Octagon.  Thank you to Paradise Birmingham and Core-Marketing for the opportunity.

Sunset and sunrise, the Octagon, Birmingham City Centre, September, 2024.
Sunset memories.

I have given a link to some of my other visits to skyscrapers and hope you continue to read my photographic journey.

Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.

My challenge for this week’s 52 weeks project was black and white photography. As I was in Birmingham for my research work, I took the opportunity to wander the streets of the city looking for pictures of buildings. Armed with my trusty Fujifilm x100v, I stepped off the bus at the O2 arena stop. On the opposite side of the road, there are new high raised buildings going up. All are aimed at the residential market. These skyscrapers are going up all over and the city looks unfinished or going places depending on which way you think.

Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
28 floors with 154 residential apartments being built on Essex street.

My next stop was the square area of buildings that house the Holiday Inn, 3 Arena central and the Alpha Tower. Many shapes, angles and lines as the tall buildings are all clustered together. The Library of Birmingham and the Town Hall were also the subjects of my study on black and white architecture. Finally the rain, which had been falling heavily all day, got the better of me and soaked through, I headed towards Snow Hill Station for my train home. I still managed to get a few pictures of the Snow Hill skyscrapers.

Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
The edge of the Alpha Tower.
Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
Clustering of building lines.
Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
The Radisson Blu in Black and White!
Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
Surreal reflections of the Library of Birmingham.
Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
Tram stop in front of the Town Hall.
Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
Tram passing by the Snow Hill Buildings.
Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
Three SnowHill

My processing was a mixture of simple black and white or enhanced work with Silver Efex. The results were interesting and I was surprised that I captured so many buildings in different ways. I reflected all this was done without the need to photograph those iconic Birmingham buildings of the BT Tower, the Rotunda or the Cube. I will probably give the ones that I missed the black and white treatment another time. Meanwhile enjoy the ones that I have in this blog.

Black and White Architecture, Birmingham April 2023.
A conversation outside Birmingham Town hall.

If you enjoyed this blog then how about a splash of colour with your architecture.

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