I can remember when the choice in eating in Harborne was Jennings Fish and Chip shop in the High Street or – well there wasn’t really any other choice and you could forget about getting anything other than a bag of crisps or nuts in a pub.
Now thankfully, following somewhat of a foodie revolution in Brum, Harborne has its fair share of places to eat. I’ve tried a few but there’s one I keep going back too – Buonissimo the Italian restaurant in Albany Road.
It’s pretty well known, I’ve even said hello to Dalziel and Pascoe actor Colin Buchanan in there, but despite its popularity it has kept the things that make me and others want to go back.
The food is good and very consistent – it won’t win any Michelin stars but it’s the kind of place that is still quite rare in the UK, a neighbourhood restaurant where everything comes together and where you can go whatever the occasion.
I’ve eaten there with my partner, with friends, in a big group after a day at the Ashes and most recently for our agency Christmas lunch. Every time it has been spot on.
Providing a welcoming and friendly atmosphere may or may not be in Italian genes but it certainly is in Matteo Aiello’s. He started out working at Valentino’s when it was run by his uncle and with Buonissimo he has topped that.
He doesn’t go in for cliché’s so you won’t find a ceiling full of Chianti bottles, checked tablecloths or a menu stuffed with the usual suspects. What you will find is a seasonally changing menu with fresh and often organic ingredients including meat sourced from another Harborne stalwart Roger Brown the butchers.
On my last visit I had the Fettina steak, the meat is flattened into wafer thin pieces and char grilled, followed by a Panettone pudding with crème anglaise. Both were great and given I’ve tried Panettone in many guises and it usually leaves me cold but the dessert was a pleasant surprise. Think bread and butter pudding but lighter and richer.
There’s a good wine list at reasonable prices but there is one choice that has me breaking all the rules about what wine you should drink with what food. I usually end up with the Pino Grigio – a rather special copper coloured version of this wine from the Veneto near Venice.
Prices are mid-range and in my view good value for money.
It’s always fun to eat at Buonissimo and none more so than when they’ve got the next menu in proof form. There’s been plenty of banter while I’ve tried to point out minor literals – I’ve even attempted to spot errors in the Italian much to Matteo’s disgust.
If there’s a problem at Buonissimo it’s the parking – but then that’s a Harborne wide problem these days and something to come back to another time in another post.
Brian Homer
Buonissimo
1 Albany Road
Harborne
0121 426 2444
www.buonissimouk.com
On the last day of school term I asked my two children, ages 3 and 6, where they wanted to go to lunch "as a special treat". They both said Buonissimo. So off we went, on a Wednesday lunchtime, with no reservation, just before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhile many restaurants might have turned us away, Mateo and Gianluca made us feel welcome and warmly seated us at a table by the window.
The kids proceeded to order a bowl of plain pasta, which Gianluca made sure was the appropriate size for each of them, along with some grated cheese. Nothing was too much to ask - as I haphazardly positioned my salad plate, soup bowl, and the colouring books and crayons all on my side of the table, they helped by removing the empty water glasses and empty plates.
We finished with a beautiful hot chocolate and amaretti biscuit, and never a harsh word or funny look (even with two trips to the bathroom).
Buonissimo is the most fantastic place to eat in Harborne, for an intimate dinner with a special person, or with a young family.