Known for its modern British menu suffused with Italian influences, Cuubo has made a name for itself in Harbourne as a brilliant dining destination. The menu at Cuubo draws inspiration from the south of Italy and the seasons but always aims to let the ingredients and the cooking take the stage. The cooking is under the firm and competent control of local chef Dan Sweet, who spent a large chunk of his career working in the Michelin-starred restaurant Simpsons.
It’s a small restaurant, with around two dozen seats, stripped-back design features, and a neutral colour palette. It’s simple and understated. But the same can’t be said for the Cuubo menu. Here, flavour is king. There are three menus available for dinner; one three-course set menu, a tasting menu, and a vegetarian tasting menu. Starters from the set menu have included a beetroot salad with a buttermilk cucumber sauce, roscoff onion with braised beef and bacon jam, and a Portland crab risotto pepped up with cauliflower and samphire.
As for the mains, think beef sirloin with ratte potato, piccolo parsnips, and chanterelles; cod with tomato, courgettes, coco beans, and nduja; and Packington chicken with heritage carrots, rainbow kale, creamed potato and chicken sauce. It might sound like simple stuff, but Sweet has built a reputation for intensely powerful sauces, beautiful combinations and artistic flourishes. And that’s exactly what Cuubo delivers.
The desserts show the same attention to detail, offering a delightful chilled lemon custard with salted ricotta ice cream, pistachio and biscuit; a Bournville chocolate delice with roast almond, poached pear, and yoghurt sorbet; and a Mexican vanilla bavarois, with banana, peanut praline, and chocolate sorbet. Guests can also indulge in an expertly paired wine flight with the tasting menu, to get the full experience.