Lucky Duck in the Jewellery Quarter
Sustainable eating has arrived in Birmingham and new eco-friendly noodle restaurant Lucky Duck is the latest restaurant to dish it up to the hungry masses in its most popularly palatable form: noodles. Opening late February, its cute Jewellery Quarter digs have already been overwhelmed by the aforementioned hordes queing up the street, not only due to its super savvy ethical focus we suspect, but rather its natty little noodle and bao bun menu with distinctly lip-smacking authenticity. See our full preview here.
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 21 Caroline Street, Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham, B3 1UE. www.luckyduckbirmingham.co.uk

Independent Festival Birmingham
Following its superb and solidly sold-out Indie Food & Drink sessions last September, Independent Festival Birmingham is back for a Spring stint, this time at The Bond on Fazeley Street. With over 75% of tickets now sold for the late March weekend, time is of the essence to experience a truly fun weekend of pop-up street food, craft beers and live entertainment. See our main preview here.
Sat 24 & Sun 25 Mar at The Bond, 180-182 Fazeley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5SE. £8 adv.

Cinema & Bottomless Prosecco Brunches at the Mockingbird
The Mockingbird’s bottomless Prosecco brunches are becoming a bit of a thing in the second city, and March is no exception. On offer this month are brunch-fuelled screenings of the Jane Austen classic Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley, teen comedy favourite Mean Girls, and in true celebration of all things female, a couple of Spice World screenings for good measure. Enjoy a two-course brunch with bottomless bubbles and/or Bloody Marys before settling in to watch some of your favourite films for a perfect afternoon of fun indulgence.
Spice World, Sat 10 and Sun 25 March; Pride and Prejudice, Sat 17 March; Mean Girls, Sat 24 Mar. £29.95 inc. brunch.  www.mockingbirdcinema.com

Taste and Liquor’s Gin and Meat Festival Birmingham 2018
Combining two of the nation’s favourite things, Taste and Liquor’s Gin and Meat Festival is heading to Digbeth at the end of March. From a ’50s cocktail bar to a room filled with ’80s arcade games, you can sip your gin in whichever era you feel most comfortable. You can also learn how to mix gin cocktails from a team of experienced mixologists. The day even features bespoke street food traders for all tastes, whether you’re a carnivore, vegetarian or vegan. Couple all of this with live music and DJs throughout the day and you have your new favourite food festival. Expect to come away stuffed and squiffily satisfied.
Sat 31 March at Leveldigbeth, Birchall Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0RP. £5/7 www.ticketsellers.co.uk

Midlands Whisky Festival 2018
Nickolls & Perks return with a fresh wave of original and exciting events and an amazing array of whiskies to try in a relaxed and friendly environment. Learn more with exhibitors and guests from over ten different countries and fascinating masterclasses by specialists. There will be hundreds of different whiskies to taste from around the world, old, rare and new included. Enjoy intimate whisky chats and food pairings with industry experts, stock up on Dream Dram tokens that allow you to sample from the extensive range of super-premium whiskies, and receive a free branded glass. Advance booking advised. (Words: Melissa Vetch)
Sat 17 & Sun 18 Mar, Stourbridge Town Hall, Crown Lane, DY8 1YE. £35. www.whiskyfest.co.uk

Coming Soon: Comptoir Libanais canteen & souk
Birmingham is set to be the next home of uber chic Lebanese chain Comptoir Libanais with  its modern Middle Eastern style canteen restaurant & souk (yep) set to open very soon in Grand Central. The restaurant’s menu gives diners a chance to experience authentic Lebanese streetfood in souk-style surrounds that not only set the mood but offer a magnificently vibrant marketplace so you can take the tastes (and tea sets) home. See their website  and socials for updates.