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Academic Coaches Recommend: Places to Eat In Wolverhampton

23/09/2019
Academic Coaches Recommend: Places to Eat In Wolverhampton

Since 2018, Academic Coaches in the University have been collectively meeting at various cafes in Wolverhampton where conversations range from political debates to controversial thoughts on what is underrated and overrated, writes Ameena Khan.

As Coaches, we recognise and support our Level 3 and 4 students with all kinds of challenges. In those 12 months, we would also like to note the importance of taking a break away from campus. Through those food-based meetings, we designed a space for these equally important conversations - as Academic Coach attached to the Fine Art course Sarah Byrne highlights: "It's a space of conversation, laughter, comfort, and respect." 

In July 2019, many Coaches took part in the Wolverhampton School of Art 'Dirty Practice' residency to facilitate an initiative to highlight the theme of cross contamination across different disciplines. This was called @Coaches, Cooking and Conversation'.

Starting from Thursday, 10 October and every first Thursday of the month onwards, Academic Coaches will host "Coaches' Kitchen" in collaboration with the Chaplaincy. It will involve a rotation of Coaches (23 across all campuses, each attached to one faculty) cooking and conversing. It intends to strengthen our relationships with our students and colleagues alike.

This blog post features places to eat in Wolverhampton and was written by Academic Coaches across the University, in order to highlight our enthusiasm for food and to showcase our passion about what Wolverhampton has to offer! All of these places are within walking distance from city campus, most are a five minute walk.

Nutmeg

This Mediterranean café is on Farmer's Fold which is an alleyway next to Waterstones on Victoria Street.

It is vegetarian and halal friendly with vegan options, so no one is left out of the taste experience of freshly prepared food with a smile. It is not expensive and is a fantastic lunch option. Food ranges from Falafel, wraps, roasted veg, to my personal recombination of a calamari burgers (extra chilli) and big potato chips, made from a whole potato. Delicious! (AD)

Hanka Bistro

Hanka Bistro is located on Victoria Street (just around the corner from KFC) and serves delicious home cooked, authentic Polish cuisine. The menu (written in both Polish and English) includes bigos (cabbage stew), goulash and potato pancakes with sour cream and sugar, along with daily specials. I recommend you try the pierogi (dumplings) with fillings ranging from traditional 'ruskie' (potato, onion and cottage cheese) to sweet options. My absolute favourite is soczewicq na ostro (lentils with chilli). Pierogi ranges from £7.30 to £8.20 for a plate, and if you can't decide which filling you can choose half and half! Also recommended are shots of Soplica - flavoured vodka. My favourite is Wisnia (cherry), but you could also try one of the 11 other flavours. (SZ)

Nando's

Nando's is a South African restaurant chain, specialising in peri-peri style chicken dishes. Founded in Johannesburg in 1987. Feel free to grab your new mates and go for a "cheeky Nando's." The restaurant is opposite the Express and Star building on Queen Street and it is halal with vegetarian options. Staff are friendly and welcoming.

*Cheeky Nando's - popping in for a bite at the chicken restaurant Nando's, often with your pals and having a good time. (MB)

The Little Dessert Shop

If you're craving something sweet, this is the place to go. They offer a variety of hot and cold desserts, and it is a frequently visited place for academic coaches after a long day. Service is very quick, and they have options to take out and even delivery. They also offer a 10% student discount if you show them a valid NUS/TOTUM (I'm not sure about wlv student card) card at the till. (HH)

Café Maxsim

A lovely independent tapas restaurant on Darlington Street. It offers lots of Mediterranean influence, a secret (heated!) outdoor seating area, vast vegetarian and vegan options, and excellent tiramisu. The owner collects foreign currency and has been known to knock a few pennies off your bill if you can trade in a coin she hasn't seen yet.

Madame Clarke's

Originally Madame Clarke's Ale and Porter Stores, this is one of the oldest public houses in Wolverhampton with records indicating its existence in 1760. It had a reputation for being frequented by ladies of the night who would chalk their fees on the soles of their shoes.

The grade II listed building is now home to family run traditional tearoom, and rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of Madame Clarke. They serve all day breakfasts, toasties, and milkshakes, and also list their dish of the day on a chalkboard. You can find on King Street which is the same street as another University building where you may have lectures! (SB)

Daffodils

Daffodils is  a Kurdish restaurant on Great Hampton Street that is about a five minute walk from the Molineux side of campus (you can cut through ASDA to get there) They offer very, very good grilled food. I'd recommend the mixed grill platters and any of the freshly made fruit juice. They also serve a lentil type soup at the beginning of each meal (free of charge) (AK)

Zuri�s

It would be fair to say that Academic Coaches are regulars at Zuri and as the menu continually has new additions, it has increasingly become our favourite place to go to for lunch or after work. It is conveniently located on Lichfield Street (which I would argue is the closest to Uni out of all the places on this list). This location is in close proximity to the train and bus station so if you are in early (the café opens at 8.30am), you can take advantage of the breakfast menu, which include vegetarian and halal options. Coaches' favourites include samosa chaat (or any of the chaat combinations), dosa, masala fish and chips, any of the prontinis/wraps.

In addition to the delicious food, it has been fun to people watch new graduates around mid September since it is adjacent to the Grand Theatre where the ceremonies take place. Another plus point is the excellent customer service, which is no surprise considering that the owner of the café, Sham Sharma, was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University in 2018 and plays a role in awarding prizes to students during graduation.

If you have read this article, you can use the code ZURI37 when you place an order at the café! (all AC's)

Mystic Grill Dosa

Mystic Grill Dosa is on Market Street and its menu has a large selection of vegetarian dishes. The food in my experience is freshly made and we would recommend that you brace yourself for the large portions if you are ordering dosa! Also, I really enjoy the interior of this restaurant! (AK)

To book an appointment with your Academic Coach, please search their name on SAMS. It is crucial to meet with your Academic Coach in your first few weeks of study. Don't know who your Academic Coach is? You can see which Coach is attached to which course below. Look out for an email from your Coach!

Who are your Academic Coaches?

Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing

  • Abi Spence - City; Social Care
  • Sacha Smith - Walsall; Nursing/Health Studies
  • Leanne Kidson - City; Health Studies
  • Georgia Perrin - City; Social Work/Emergency Planning/Public Health
  • Lucy Perkin - City/Telford; Nursing
  • Harvey Virdi - City; Psychology
  • Dan Bate - Walsall; Paramedics/Physiotherapy/Midwifery/Nursing Apprenticeships  
  • Jimmy Jennings - Walsall; Sport
  • Libby Watson/Alex Robottom - Walsall; CAFES/SENDIS/Education Studies
  • Rose Worsley (start mid-Oct) - Walsall and Burton; Nursing

Faculty of Art and Social Sciences

  • Maryaa Bibi: Wolverhampton Law School
  • Kellie Bradley: Business Specialist (Accounting & Finance, HR, Marketing, Economics, Event & Venue/Tourism Management etc.)
  • Sarah Byrne: Wolverhampton School of Art
  • Deborah Dallison: Criminology, Deaf Studies, Fire and Rescue, Interpreting, Policing & Intelligence, Sociology and Social Policy
  • Sean Derrick: History, Politics & War Studies and School of Humanities
  • Connor Langley: Walsall - School of Performing Arts
  • Matt Pearce: Business General (Business Management, Business Joints, HND)

Faculty of Science and Engineering

  • Arifa Dar: School of Pharmacy 
  • Holly Herzberg: School of Science
  • Ameena Khan: School of Architecture and Built Environment
  • Rob Worley: City/Telford - School of Engineering
  • Sarah Zacharek: School of Maths and Computer Science

 

 

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