The French-owned, fantasy Italian Big Mamma group is to open its first UK restaurant outside London in Birmingham, taking over the former Vinoteca site in the Paradise development on Chamberlain Square. La Bellezza, a 150-cover trattoria with a 25-seat terrace, launches later this year and follows Gloria (pictured), Jacuzzi, Circolo Popolare, Ave Mario and Carlotta, […]
A new restaurant opening in Moseley next month promises to serve the first authentic Afghan cuisine in Birmingham. Kabuli has taken over the former site of Greek-Cypriot souvlaki specialist Soufi, which closed after two years. Kabuli’s founder, Farhad Spinzar, was born and grew up in Kabul before moving to Birmingham in 2001. Missing his homeland, […]
Highly rated Birmingham chef Alex Claridge is to open an extravagantly named chef’s table restaurant in the city’s Jewellery Quarter – where he plans to charge guests less than half what he should to be profitable. Albatross Death Cult – a name inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Rime of the the Ancient Mariner – will offer a […]
Our round-up of what the nation’s restaurant critics were writing about in the week up to 14th April 2024 The Evening Standard The Bear, Camberwell Jimi Famurewa was nonplussed by a revamped neighbourhood boozer that had been closed for six years before being rescued by Teddy Roberts and chef Joe Sharratt, formerly of Brixton hotspot […]
Our round-up of what the nation’s restaurant critics were writing about in the week up to 7th April 2024 The Evening Standard The Shoap, Angel Jimi Famurewa thoroughly enjoyed himself at this “hybrid cafe, food shop and bar that bills itself as ‘London’s first Scottish deli’”, from Glaswegian former economist Gregg Boyd – a “brilliant … invigorating, […]
The annual Michelin awards on Monday night sprinkled stars liberally over some – led by the Brett Graham, whose Ledbury achieved a coveted third star in its 19th year – while disappointing others: most pointedy the tyre men’s host for the evening, Manchester’s Midland Hotel, which lost its star back in 1975 and has never regained it. […]
A South African-inspired restaurant serving ambitious cuisine at accessible prices has opened in the south Birmingham suburb of Stirchley. Riverine Rabbit, set in a low-key shopping parade on Pershore Road, is named after an endangered species that lives in South Africa’s Karoo Desert – signifying chef Ash Valenzuela-Heeger’s commitment to supporting sustainable farming practices. Ash trained […]
Brad Carter has closed his highly regarded Birmingham restaurant Carters of Moseley and will reopen it at a new site early next year. The restaurant is currently operating as a summer residency in a greenhouse belong to specialist grower Westlands UK, in the Vale of Evesham. Brad has confirmed that the residency will be extended […]
Birmingham ramen specialist Koba-Ko is to open its first permanent shop in Kings Heath, south of the city centre, later this year following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The fundraiser sailed past its £10,000 target this month, ensuring the project’s future. Co-founder Sam Hill had already secured the venue, just off Kings Heath’s main drag, and […]
Leading Midlands chef Glynn Purnell will next week launch a bistro at a newly restored medieval monastery in Coventry. Purnell’s Café & Bistro at Charterhouse will provide coffee and snacks to visitors during the day, and remain open for drinks and meals in the evening. It is a second out-of-town venue for Glynn, known as […]
