Tara Chirpy / 11 May 2025 / Categories: TV Show, Food & Drink, Restaurants

The Alchemist Book Club Lunch Birmingham

And C.G Jung on Alchemy 4 part TV series

This snoop is a little bit convoluted. I’d watched a four part series on TV, C.G. Jung on Alchemy, where a collection of academics explore the world famous psycho analyst Carl Jung. Whilst the father of psycho analysis remains his friend and colleague Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) for therapists, students of psychology, academics and publishing editors with a passive interest in the tarot and the occult, me, Carl Jung remains the proverbial son of psycho analysis around the world.

The series is hard going and academically challenging exploring themes around psychology and alchemy, how they intersect and an intriguing look into the lifelong pursuit or search for the roots of happiness and in turn Jung’s efforts as a physican to heal the malady of the mind. If you are interested in the subject matter I am sure like me you’ll find it both enlightening and fascinating in equal measure.

Anyone without a basic grasp of human psychology would I think find it boring as the language is complex although you do get a sense of the sheer volume of the body of work dating back to manuscripts from early gnostics purchased and collected by Jung and now maintained and curated by Carl Jungs grandson Ulrich Hoeni, responsible for the publication of “the red book” in 2009, who features in the series.

The long drawn out explanation of how we ended up dining here at the Alchemist; Birmingham.

I absolutely loved the menu and how much variety and choice there was. I had the smashed potatoes (without the eggs), a take on hash browns for the Americans, bubble and squeak for the Brits which arrived piping hot, made fresh to order and was absolutely delicious. I was impressed there were quite a few plant based choices which even if you still eat meat, I confess still now and then for me, I like businesses who are conscious meat consumption is the number one contributor to a climate change catastrophe and are encouraging consumers away from meat with other creative veggie and vegan options.

More of a cocktail bar serving food than a restaurant serving drinks I felt although the service was fast and friendly. No complaints there and rest assured if you decide to leave a tip they make a point of saying everything goes to the serving staff and kitchen staff; something I approve of that in the restaurant business doesn’t always happen. If you want to make sure who’s getting your tip you usually have to ask these days especially in big chains which The Alchemist in Birmingham is part of so very happy to see them putting their good policy out there.

I went with a 3 other ladies from my book club and our only complaint would be the seats, back to back booths were a bit cramped and uncomfortable for a long lunch and the acoustics are a bit rattly so it was a bit noisy. We struggled to chat.

Everyone in our group thought the food was really good for a chain establishment.

Love the name, which was actually why we chose to go in the first place.

The prices, main courses range from £15-£20 a plate, maybe a little more style than substance but great central location in the heart of the financial district and right next to the cathedral.

Would we go back. Probably wouldn’t make a special trip but passing and hungry I’ll definitely keep this one on my radar.