Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where"><strong>WHAT? WHERE?</strong></h2>



<p>A stunning bar and eatery in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, close to business district Colmore Row. Primitivo combines cool, stylish décor with light meals for a relaxed vibe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe"><strong>THE VIBE</strong></h2>



<p>It&#8217;s a quaint eatery, with a handful of tables overlooked by the open kitchen and bar, so customers can chill with a glass of wine while watching their food being prepared &#8211; is there anything better? I think not. There&#8217;s also a private room, The Barwick Suite, ideal for parties and networking events. Inside the restaurant you&#8217;ll find chic, modern décor with classy grey walls, exposed brickwork, hanging lampshades and hardwood floors – it&#8217;s all about sleek and stylish rather than quirky and unique, and it really work for this area of Brum. There&#8217;s also outdoor seating for the odd day when the sun finally shines.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-90-1000x667.jpg" alt="Primitivo Birmingham terrace" class="wp-image-57813" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-90-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-90-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-90-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-90.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff"><strong>SCOFF AND QUAFF</strong></h2>



<p>We went along to try out the exclusive festival menu, which is part of the awesome <a href="https://birminghamrestaurantfestival.co.uk">Birmingham Restaurant Festival</a>. The festival runs until 31 Aug, so get in quick to bag a great value set menu at some of the city&#8217;s best restaurants.  </p>



<p>I sipped on a glass of the Beringer Zinfandel Rosé while we pored over the menu. We were spoilt for choice but after (a lot!) of deliberation I settled on the Tempura Prawn Lemon Aioli to start, with my friend opting for the Chicken Satay Skewer. The prawns were fried to crispy perfection accompanied with a zesty lemon salad. The skewer was equally delicious and served with a rich peanut sauce which we didn&#8217;t leave a drop of.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-88-1000x667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-57811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-88-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-88-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-88-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-88.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For mains, we couldn’t decide between two dishes so decided to go share both &#8211; it&#8217;s a no-brainer really! We had the Thai Crab Risotto, a deliciously creamy risotto with huge chunks of fresh crab, infused with lemongrass and kafir lime. These guys really know how to do east meets west! Our second dish was a Chicken Kiev, a juicy chicken breast overflowing with garlicky goodness served with bean ragout and dauphinois potatoes. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-89-1000x667.jpg" alt="Primitivo Birmingham chicken kiev" class="wp-image-57812" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-89-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-89-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-89-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-89.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Despite the generous portions for the main course, we managed to squeeze in puddings &#8211; it would have been rude not to. There were three choices but we both went with the Caramel and Chocolate Tart, a rich, delectable tart served with vanilla ice cream and fresh raspberries.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-87-1000x667.jpg" alt="Primitivo Birmingham dessert" class="wp-image-57810" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-87-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-87-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-87-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/08/Untitled-design-87.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>While there, I had a gander at the usual menu that is served outside of the festival, which boasts yummy breakfasts, smaller option sandwiches and appetising main courses, all at a very reasonable cost, especially for the centre of Birmingham.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-out-and-about"><strong>OUT AND ABOUT</strong></h2>



<p>You’re in the centre of Brum and spoilt for choice. If you fancy more drinks then there’s&nbsp;<a href="https://thealchemist.uk.com/venues/birmingham-colmore-row/">The Alchemist</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://the-lostandfound.co.uk/restaurant/birmingham">The Lost &amp; Found</a>&nbsp;or head to Digbeth for award-winning cocktails at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.passingfanciesbar.co.uk/">Passing Fancies</a>, where the menu changes weekly with what fruits are on offer at Brum market.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/">The Hippodrome</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/the-alexandra-theatre-birmingham/">Alexandra</a>&nbsp;theatres are within walking distance too if you’re heading to see a show or there’s plenty of classical performances on at&nbsp;<a href="https://bmusic.co.uk/whats-on">The Symphony Hall</a>. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/06/Untitled-design-1841.jpg" alt="Ikon gallery Birmingham" class="wp-image-53908" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/06/Untitled-design-1841.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/06/Untitled-design-1841-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/06/Untitled-design-1841-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2023/06/Untitled-design-1841-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For arty types visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ikon-gallery.org/">Ikon</a>, a contemporary gallery inside a former Victorian school. Or for shopping stroll up Gas Street along the towpath to the&nbsp;<a href="https://mailboxlife.com/">Mailbox</a>&nbsp;which has a bit more of an air of Peaky Blinders about it. For all the high street you need check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bullring.co.uk/">The Bullring and Grand Central</a>, including a huge Selfridges.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict"><strong>THE MUDDY VERDICT</strong></h2>



<p><strong>GOOD FOR:</strong>&nbsp;Small gatherings, business lunches and couples looking for a more sedate, chilled meal away from the busy restaurants closer to the shops.</p>



<p><strong>NOT FOR:</strong>&nbsp;Children may be unlikely to appreciate the menu, so those with young families may struggle to find something for the kids to eat.</p>



<p><a href="https://primitivo-birmingham.co.uk/">Primitivo</a>, 10 Barwick St, Birmingham B3 2NT</p>



<p><a href="https://birminghamrestaurantfestival.co.uk/">birminghamrestaurantfestival.co.uk</a></p>


Review: Primitivo Restaurant, Birmingham

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