At the Mount you will find a culinary option to suit every taste and dietary requirement. Whether you are looking for a quick bite at the bar, exquisite afternoon tea in the lounge or a fantastic dinner in our restaurant you will not be left disappointed. If you have a special occasion coming up why not let the Mount wait on your every need and try our private dining, rendezvous here and share some gorgeous gastronomic delights.

A brand New fully refitted Bar & Grill The Drawing Room is now open. The Restaurant is set on the edge of the Mount overlooking beautifully kept gardens and has been designed to be traditional yet contemporary. A new Award winning head chef has been taken on to manage the Grill which will serve traditional grill food with a redefining twist. An array of wines and cocktails will also be available at Wolverhampton’s premier dining spot.

Like everything else at the Mount, the difference lies in the detail. Our professional and caring staff understand your every need and food that suits the occasion

The Drawing Room Drinks Menu

Geoff had suffered poor health for some time, but he remained passionate about championing good food and restaurants across the Midlands. His commitment and drive made The Gastro Card the success it is today.

He will be sadly missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family at this time.

Donations in memory of Geoff should be via WH Painters to one of The Gastro Card’s three charities; Acorns, Promise Dreams or RSPCA – information for all of these charities is on our site.

WH Painters
Dovehouse Parade
343 Warwick Road
Solihull, B91 1BQ

Please contact Sally Bowen on 07891 764814 or sallyb@gastrocard.co.uk for any matters relating to The Gastro Card.

Essence Restaurant – Alcester

Essence Restaurant is located in the historic Warwickshire market town of Alcester. It offers modern British cuisine with a sprinkle of international influences.

All dishes are created from locally sourced fresh ingredients, ensuring a seasonal and stimulating menu.

Essence has a fresh approach to dining, offering customers the opportunity for a casual supper with friends or a meal for that special occasion. The attention to detail and high level of service ensures that the whole experience at Essence will be truly memorable.

Essence has put together many different variations of their menus and believe they now have something special to offer every dining occasion.

Christopher Short – Chef/Owner

My love and passion for food has resulted in the opening of my first restaurant, Essence.  My philosophies are simple.  Buy fresh quality ingredients and marry them together to create simple, exciting and extremely tasty dishes.  Everything we create at Essence has been made by the team on the premises.

I have been involved with the catering industry all of my life having had both parents working in the trade.  I have been fortunate to work in some magnificent hotels and restaurants in my career to date and have achieved numerous AA rosette accolades in all positions I have held as Head Chef.

My passion and experience has fuelled my desire to provide something a little different whilst ensuring there is something for everyone and for every occasion.  We believe we have achieved this with essence and are looking forward to extending our restaurant portfolio within the foreseeable future.

Our use of local, seasonal produce wherever possible means that we help to promote other local businesses in the process and help them to gain new followers.

What customers are saying about Sunday Lunch…….

“What every Sunday lunch should be like. Stupendous food in a relaxed atmosphere”
Dave & Jennifer

“Great atmosphere & great food – well worth regular visits”
Janet
“The family platters are sensational value – a real success on a plate!”
Charles
“Fabulous traditional Sunday lunch at its best – and the desserts are out of this world – make sure you leave room for them”
Judy & Don

Since September 2011, 24 Year 11 BTEC Hospitality students have been working hard with Dawn Tate and Elaine Thompson (Teachers of Food Technology at Small Heath School) towards the grand final of The Gastro Card Restaurant Challenge.

Students were tasked by The Gastro Card Team with designing a themed restaurant of their choice after visiting an empty restaurant site in Birmingham and planning a launch event, which also included a lesson from top chef Andy Waters about menu planning for running a successful restaurant.

Over four days the five teams firstly, cooked a 3 course lunch for especially selected members of Small Heath School staff and then presented to The Gastro Card Judges Trevor Land, Director of The Gastro Card and Sally Bowen, Business Development Manager their plans for their restaurant idea using mood boards and power point to demonstrate their proposed business model.

The competition was tough, with all of the pupils producing food of a very high standard and showing a keen interest in demonstrating their knowledge of marketing and running a successful business.

Ideas from pupils included fine dining, Indian cuisine, Italian, food for teenagers with music and even space food for those fans of Sci-fi!

The Judges were so impressed with “Area 51” Team who produced a delicious menu of alien-shaped bread, small alien burgers with a delicious potato side and homemade brownie sundae, which was complimented with space poppers and flying saucers.

Their presentation included designs for an alien-themed restaurant, near to Birmingham’s Science Museum and the team had even produced their own website. The winning team were presented with Gastro Card certificates and received a £10 cinema voucher.

Trevor Land, Director of The Gastro Card said “All of the pupils showed a keen interest in The Gastro Card Restaurant Challenge and I have been impressed with the high standard of food and the hard work that was evident over the four days of judging. Our thanks go to all of the staff and pupils involved at Small Heath School for their time and commitment to the project”.

For more information about The Gastro Card Restaurant Challenge, please contact Geoff Abbott, Director of The Gastro Card on 0121 707 3007 or contact us at www.thegastrocard.co.uk.

Set in the picturesque and historic village of Aston Cantlow in Warwickshire, just a mile away from Mary Arden’s House in Wilmcote, four miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, Alcester, Warwick, NEC & Airport, ICC & Birmingham. Also the gateway to the Cotswolds.

Come along and visit the 13th Century Norman Church where William Shakespeares parents, Mary Arden and John Shakespeare were married in 1557. It is reputed that they held their wedding breakfast at the Kings Head!

Then relax in the comfortable bar which provides an informal, friendly atmosphere with a large inglenook log fireplace, serving local real ales and cider and traditional locally sourced food.

The restaurant offers outstanding award winning British modern food including a la carte, daily specials menu, and tasty traditional Sunday Roast, and of course our famous Duck Suppers!

In the summertime the pretty garden with a large 200 year old Chestnut tree as the centrepiece, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine or two!

The Kings Head was awarded the Warwickshire Dining Pub of the Year!