Cucina Rustica — Restaurant in Birmingham

Waited at the entrance more than five minutes to get seated for the booking on Saturday night.

Ordered aubergine with parmesan, pizza, penne, a bottle of Rose, a bottle of still water and a creme brulee.

The service was quite good and quick enough. Surprised they didn't bring water had to order it later. Served a couple of slice bread, green and black olives, olive oil and balsamic vinegar which was ok.

Aubergine with tomato sauce and cheese was tasty but too much oily for a starter.

Really surprised they don't have a stone oven and pizza was below average according to an authentic Italian restaurant. It's not a pizzeria yes but pizza should be at least some level of taste. Gives the feeling of eating at a chip shop anyway.

Penne with shrimp and chicken was again below average. Tastes like supermarket pasta but cooked as real al dente which is the only thing done right.

Creme Brulee entirely was cold custard and sugar top coat. Custard taste was ok but it's way too much sugary.

The Rose Pinot Grigio bottle was the star of the night. And bottle of water served with glasses with a slice of lemon and ice which was quite refreshing.

When I read the comments I was expecting a really high standards but it was a kind of disappointment. May be it's just me have high standards when it comes to an Italian restaurant as I am a...

Good food but missing something!! Last night was our annual Christmas works get together at Cucina Rustica we had a large table up to the left away from rest of restaurant so it was nice we could all talk,however the staff who were friendly enough all appeared tired or unaware of food orders, there were no crackers on the table like last year and the table itself looked rather boring considering it is now Christmas party season the lack of crackers we felt was rather mean!, the food courses seem to take rather a long time to be served to us however everyone appeared to enjoy there steaks fish and gnocchi. The vegetables weren't great and a little cold but overall a good meal. Deserts were tasty but again took forever to come to the table and there was a change to the one which was just scribbled out and the replacement put on the sheet,I think it would have been better for a member of staff to come to the table and explain the change and what it was... we ordered coffee which was Luke warm and not that pleasant along with 2 decaf coffees which when they arrived they were espresso, so they had to be replaced... I'm sure this was an expensive evening for my boss drinks food etc.... and it was nice however nice isn't memorable it's just nice!! Could do better and last year was better this year seemed to have lost it's sparkle!! But...

Booked a table for 14, 4 weeks in advance.. asked for a specific area in restaurant which was agreed on booking and I also confirmed nearer the time. Pre ordered our food from “the main menu”, order was sent in and confirmed! There was no place on the main menu online regarding side except if you were having steak!! No one got a side and it wasn’t raised when we put the order in which I think is poor!!! We arrived and the table requested had been given to another party!!! The manager did apologise but nevertheless disappointing! Some of the service was good and some very poor with a waiter not understanding what is on the plate in front of him!! The food was mediocre some good some poor! We have eaten here several times and food has always been good! The restaurant was over subscribed they had crammed people in and subsequently the service and food suffered! There was no waiting area only a bar to stand at with a very rude man serving.. seemed like the owner! Felt like we were in the way! Our table wasn’t ready! I approached one of the female managers when one of our guests didn’t get a meal! She wasn’t helpful, preferred to argue with me than listen and get things sorted out!!! I’m afraid on this occasion you failed and choose quantity over quality clearly driven by greed! 14 people that will never return! Extremely...