Andreas Antona - arguably the Midlands’ top chef – is to open a 'number two’ restaurant in the under-served city of Birmingham.

Details of the new venture are not yet known, but it seems that a city-centre brasserie-style operation would be the natural complement to his flagship fine dining establishment, Simpson’s, in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston.

In preparation for the move, the Kenilworth site which trades as Simply Simpsons nowadays – where Antona first made his name – has been sold.

The new owners, Paul and Simon Davis of the Midland Assured group, plan to change the name and update the interior at the end of June, whilst keeping the brasserie’s cuisine much the same.

PS (22 July) The Kenilworth site is now called Petit Gourmand. For an update see the Birmingham Mail.