Pulperia in Birmingham aims to push the boundaries of Argentinian cuisine, from championing seasonal ingredients and using the highest quality produce to creating elegant and refined dishes. It’s the brainchild of restaurateur, entrepreneur and Michelin-starred Aktar Islam, who’s known for his TV appearances on The F Word and Great British Menu, as well as his Indian restaurant Opheem which became the first Michelin-starred restaurant outside of London in 2019. Pulperia is the result of his decade-long love affair with Argentian food and culture, which he opened in 2020.
Quality lies at the heart of the restaurant’s ethos, which focuses on doing things fairly and sustainably from farm-to-plate. Aktar only uses the best grass-fed beef from Argentina, as well as beef from purebreeds such as Herefordshire, Angus, Fresian, Belted Galloway and Galician Blonde. All cuts are dry aged for between 30 and 90 days.
The food is inspired from regions all over Argentina and includes a host of classic dishes with a contemporary twist. Starters from the a la carte menu include smoked octopus with paprika roasted potatoes, sea bass ceviche with citrus, shallots, avocado and radish, and chorizo with tomato and celeriac roulade. For main course, steak is its signature 'thing', with all cuts cooked on a unique charcoal and wood-fired grill. Pick your preferred cut before pairing with a selection of sides, such as bone marrow pomme puree and mustard glazed beef fat onions. Desserts include a manjari chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream, and churros with el submarino sauce.
A lunch menu is also available on Saturdays, while on Sundays it's all about a slap-up roast served with all the trimmings. When it comes to the wine list, a range of South American bottles keeps things authentic, but you’ll also find wines from the rest of the world.