CUUBO — Restaurant in Birmingham

Firstly I want to commend a young chef doing his own thing in a very competitive market. We had an enjoyable lunch, but I am not sure Cuubo has settled enough yet to know what they really want to be. There is no doubt these guys know how to cook, but there is a long way to go. I will start with what we didnt like: Music - its a small space and music was loud when we entered, also a strange mix of jungle music which does not suit the sleek lines and clientele. Front of house - the two waiters even though extremely friendly in a typical Bham way, are just not sharp enough to match the food. Drinks bottles and empty crockery was left on the table for a while, it wasnt very busy. No explanation of the food and at one point the waitress had her pen rested behind her ear. The Fish main - great presentation with a wonderful sauce, I found that the seabream was too thin. A very small fish used. So, overcooked in the end to get a crisp skin. Rather buy bigger fish which gives you thicker flesh to work with. Limited drinks menu and expensive wine. £12 for a smallish to medium glass. If it was an established Michelin star , so be it. Italy have such wonderful value wines, you can offer a house white - Vermentino and red an Apassimento Primitivo from Puglia for a fraction of the price. What we liked! The Pork belly - exceptional piece of pork and generous starter portion with delicious braised fennel. The beef main - a winner with that deep beefy flavour and lip clinging after effect of slow braised beef. The lemon dessert, exceptional and the bronze fennel tops set it off beautifully. Onion soup - outstanding!!! The food prices, absolute value for money.

So, overall a mixed bag,however the food would have been a 5star if it wasnt for the thin fish and choc parfait.

Really looking forward to eat here again when the growing pains have...

A ‘storming talent’ and ‘an exiciting restaurant opening’ is how Jay Rayner described Cuubo. So as a passionate foodie I had to try for myself. And I’m delighted I did - our first visit to celebrate my dear friend’s 60th birthday - on 31/5/25 for 2 people. I follow the fine dining scene with passion and fortunate to have experienced some of the finest 1-3 Michelin Star restaurants in the UK, and on my holidays in Europe and Rest of the World. The team here were passionate about their work and the cooking exceptional. Flavour filled dishes delivered with precision, presentation, attention to detail and delicacy. The wine pairing was very well thought through with a focus on the best Italy has to offer from small, off the beaten track, producers keeping with the independent local producer ethos. On this showing, Cuubo deserves a Michelin Star on the next release of new ratings. A final mention to Dominic, the restaurant manager and front of house who was welcoming, charming, accommodating and hugely knowledgable - everything you’d look for from the front of house in any fine dining establishments. Good luck Cuubo - I’ve already booked to be back soon...

I have never eaten more delicious food, more carefully prepared and conveniently located.

Front of house staff are attentive, polite, kind, helpful and a joy to be served by. They explained and elaborated on each dish as we enquired and were a delight to interact with.

The room is clean, tidy, appealing and well laid out for such a small place.

The wait for each dish is long, too long for some of our party, though it didn't bother me. The wait built the anticipation and the reward of the food at the end of it more than made up for it in my opinion, but others may not be so patient.

The music is contentious a couple of our party found it intrusive, being beat and bass led. I didn't find it too much, but for them it detracted from the atmosphere somewhat, which is a shame, because the rest is perfection. My recommendation would be to bring the tempo of the music down and perhaps choose something softer for the guests?

There's literally nothing else I would change. We're super impressed by the calibre of...