THE WILDERNESS x STAYING COOL: TWO LIKE-MINDED INDIES REINVENT GOING OUT

Staying Cool, the boutique serviced apartment operator, and Alex Claridge, chef owner of the acclaimed 3 AA Rosette restaurant The Wilderness in Birmingham have teamed up to create a series of high-end staycations, starting on 25th July. The overnight events will pair Alex’s provocative dining experience with the stylish surroundings of the Rotunda for the ultimate socially distanced night away.

Guests will savour a three-course meal, including Wilderness favourites, cooked by Alex and the team, to be eaten in the comfort of their one or two bedroom apartments with panoramic views across the city from the top floors of the skyscraper.

Each apartment will have access to Alex and his team via video link as he explains the food first-hand and guides guests through plating up for an interactive chef’s table experience, or guests can simply relax into their setting for an intimate dinner.

Tables will be set before check-in to create private dining rooms ready for the evening to unfold. Diners will be encouraged to dress up for the occasion. With floor to ceiling windows revealing the cityscape below, there will be plenty of opportunities for pictures before settling down to their first fine-dining experience since lockdown began.

The menu, inspired by the best of Birmingham’s fusion flavours, and Alex’s daring style ,will be offered with paired wines curated by their head sommelier and winner of GQ sommelier of the Year 2018, Sonal Clare, bringing the romance of room service and the glamour of dining out together for a first of its kind for the city.

Following dessert, guests can recline and relax while watching the sun go down or catch a movie, all from the safety of their own apartment, bringing a new sense of glamour to lockdown life.

Waking up, a memorable breakfast with a Wilderness twist is the order of the day before, sadly, checking out and returning to normality.

Chef Alex said, “Our restaurant experience at The Wilderness has always been one of escape and of bending quite what’s expected, and this pop up will be no different. Whilst both holidays and dining out as we remember them aren’t quite possible just yet, we wanted to do something which brought some of the best aspects of both together for the guests we love to serve.

This set up means guests can be assured that social distancing is observed but gives them a welcome boutique break with fine dining that has been sorely missed. We can’t wait to offer them an experience which is truly exciting and unique, and one borne of its time.”

Tracey Stephenson, co-founder of Staying Cool, “Our location at the heart of Birmingham has always meant our guests could easily go out and explore what this great city has to offer. Having worked with Alex over the past decade, our partnership seemed like a great way for two small independents to continue to provide great guest experiences by bringing one of the city’s most exciting assets, The Wilderness, straight to their apartment.“

To book go to https://www.stayingcool.com/blog/wilderness-private-dining/ and use the booking code STAYWILD.

Email hello@stayingcool.com for more booking information.