“Cuubo is marked on Harborne’s High Street by a tiny khaki sign and a frosted window. It would be very easy to walk on by. Please don’t.” This is how Jay Rayner ended his glowing review of the Birmingham restaurant in April. It’d only been open for six weeks when he ate there and, despite acknowledging its work-in-progress decor, he was quite blown away.
This tiny Birmingham spot started life as a sort of fine-dining takeout, QBox – “quality food in a box to take away” – full of simple, yet bold European cooking. It’s a brilliant idea but, unsurprisingly, one that soon gave way to owner/chef Dan Sweet’s ambitions of running a real restaurant. Which is how is became Cuubo.
Funded through a Kickstarter and by QBox’s loyal fans – offering everything from private dinners to bread workshops – over £40,000 was raised to turn it into Cuubo. It appears to have paid off too, because it isn’t just Jay Rayner that’s a fan. The Harborne spot can now count itself among the Michelin Guide elite – joining Harborne Kitchen and Tropea in the area.
Michelin Guide says:
Adding to the growing food scene in the Birmingham suburb of Harborne is this Kickstarter-funded spot from a local chef. The space is small and stylish, with the feel of a contemporary bistro, while the contented diners and lively soundtrack combine to bring a pleasant buzz to the atmosphere. The menu is proudly British and fiercely seasonal, coming across in well-crafted dishes like a wonderful frozen rhubarb dessert with peanut brittle and vanilla ice cream. The cooking is all the better for its absence of unnecessary frippery.
The food itself is described as “Modern British with an Italian accent” – with recent dishes including tomato risotto, grilled courgettes, parsley, sweet and sour tomatoes; sea bream, borlotti beans, confit lemon sauce, heritage tomato, black olives; and braised beef, shallot, truffle, creamed potato, bacon, beef sauce. It’s a simple and seasonal menu but one that caters for all.
At lunchtime, grab three courses for £30 or two for £25. For dinner, three courses will cost £50 and a six-course tasting menu £75 (with a vegetarian option available). It’s a small restaurant, with only 20 covers, so we recommend booking ahead. To learn more about Cuubo head here.