Completing a triumvirate of tasteful cool down on off-piste Kings Heath shopping street Poplar Road, along with The People Shop (happy 17th birthday buddies) and awesome apothecary Honest Skincare, Bloom has now put this little side street firmly on the destination-shopping map. With a funky facade, an interior falling just the right (ie comfortable) side of hipster chic, a cleverly concocted minimalist menu of chef’s specials and coffee worth waiting – possibly all your life ’til now – for, things really are looking bright for this new independent. The first venture for caffeine master and affable front of house man Alisdair Houston and best mate chef Tim Paine, Bloom was created as a way to indulge both their passions as well as a desire for work-life balance (the cafe opens Wed-Sun) that has all gone a bit out of the proverbial since customers cottoned on to the delights of Bloom in perhaps a more time-lapse fast blossoming of success than was expected. No surprise though as the breakfasts and lunches really are the epitome of affordable gourmet luxury. We sampled the delectable combo of charred stem broccoli, poached hen’s egg, avocado, toasted rye, watercress, sunflower seed & orange dressing £7 and a decadent bowl of black cherry, cacao and toasted rye porridge with almond butter and gingerbread crumbs £4). Lunches are £8 inclusive for mains like braised lamb shoulder shepherds pie or broad bean, pea & spring onion ravioli, accompanied by pickles, broth, pulses, sides and salads. And when the promised monthly supper club and kids’ menu manifest they might find themselves even more happily inundated. Thankfully there’s a bit of over-spill in the new outside courtyard and a few bar stools, because the day we visited all the lunch covers were filling fast. We feel blessed to be local enough to enjoy our daily brew there and after sampling the delights Bloom has to offer, might just make it breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea too (home-made biscuit and little cake selection £2 for three and small cakes, like dark chocolate orange blossom and cardamom £1 each). Just add these three significant words in conclusion: Pour Over Coffee (pictured). Bloom’s zen coffee experience is a game-changer well worth seeking out. Long may they flourish.

Bloom, 32 Poplar Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 7AD, Open Weds – Sat 9am – 6pm & Sun 10am – 4pm. hello@bloomkingsheath.com