There’s not many of Birminghams more recent openings that piqued my interest, but when Rofuto appeared on the scene about a year ago the menu really got my tastebuds going and it didn’t disappoint when we reviewed it not long after opening. Recently I had the chance to return to the restaurant, which occupies the 16th floor of the Park Regis Hotel, and while it might not be quite the highest restaurant in the city, it sure is one of the most classy.
I was there with a select few other city bloggers and press for a preview of the new menu and was really looking forward to it! What with having a baby and fracturing my shoulder it had been quite a while since I had been allowed out to play of an evening! I started my night with a cocktail at the bar whilst catching up with my fave blogger friend Laura.
Photo: The Foodie Couple Blog
After which we moved to one of the chefs tables to try the food. The restaurant offers a modern izakaya-style of Japanese cuisine, including Sushi, Maki, Tempura, Noodles and a fresh Robata Grill selection as wells some more substantial dishes.
We started off with a very fragrant Tom Yum Soup which was one of the nicest I’ve sampled in a while.
Photo: The Foodie Couple Blog
Next a selection of some of the smaller sharing dishes:
- Sea Bass Tiradito with Passion Fruit & Tigers Milk
- Japanese Woods – Textures of Salsify, Charcoal Grilled Eel, Black Garlic
The seabass was one of my favourites of the night, so light and with vibrant tangy flavours.
Photo: The Foodie Couple Blog
Photo: Richard Kiely
A platter of the Dim Sum arrived after this – Scallop Shumai, Beef and Foie Gras Gyoza and Wild Mushroom Spring Roll. All of which were delicious, and I’d go as far to say as some of, possibly the best Dim Sum in the city.
Photo: The Foodie Couple Blog
For the last savoury options we tried a section of their larger dishes – all still perfect for sharing, but could be had as a main course if you wish to dine more traditionally.
- Chilean Sea Bass – Mandarin, Ginger Flower, Rice Crisp
- Sesame Otoro Tuna Tataki – Sesame and Pine Nut Crust, Textures of Apple, Yuba
- Korean Spiced Red Pepper Lamb Chops – Kohlrabi, Butternut Squash, Physalis Salad
- Red Roast Baby Chicken – Water Chestnut, Kumquat, Master Stock
The Lamb Chops and the Tuna Tataki were absolute standouts for me from these main courses. I loved the interesting combination of flavours and ingredients in all the dishes.
Photo: Richard Kiely
Photo: Richard Kiely
Photo: The Foodie Couple Blog
Photo: The Foodie Couple Blog
The last time we visited Rofuto, dessert was the only part of the meal we weren’t as keen on so I was especially pleased when trying the Miracle Berry Dessert. Miracle berries apparently have the ability to make sour things taste sweet – so after eating some of the dessert which was covered in a light red powder, the taste of the sorbet was supposed to become more like ice cream, red wine would taste like port etc etc! Now I was pretty skeptical, but actually it did change the taste although in a slightly more subtle way than I had hoped!
Photo: Richard Kiely
I would encourage anyone to go and visit Rofuto. The new menu items were fantastic and the place as a whole is something quite special, one of the better places in Birmingham to eat.
Disclsoure: I was invited to Rofuto for a complimentary menu sampling – a positive post or review was not required.
