Located in the heart of Birmingham’s Colmore business district, Opus is a popular choice for both city workers and shoppers. Impossible to miss, owing to the large lettering across its glass frontage, Opus is bright and welcoming, and boasts plenty of space for large parties. There’s also the opportunity to see the culinary masters at work, up close, with seats at Opus’s Kitchen Table, where you can experience a bespoke five-course tasting menu introduced and served by the chefs.
Committed to using the freshest seasonal ingredients, sourced each day from suppliers around the British Isles, the chefs at Opus pride themselves on simple dishes packed full of flavour. Starters such as Carlingford rock oysters, served simply with horseradish, shallot vinegar and radish, hail from a family-owned oyster farm on the north-east coast of Ireland, while scallops served with pineapple and chilli marmalade, slow-cooked pork belly and scallop crackers are hand-dived in Brixham.
In addition to seafood, you’ll find the likes of Cornish lamb, 28-day dry-aged Aubrey Allen beef and roasted Evesham beetroot risotto on the menu, making Opus a great choice for vegetarians and vegans, as well as pescatarians and carnivores. What’s more, the entire à la carte menu is available as a set two- or three-course meal, offering excellent value for money.
Desserts are good-looking and imaginative, with options including an iced mango and vanilla parfait with mango gel, meringue, pistachio and white chocolate mousse, and a decadent Valrhona dark chocolate delice. There’s also a good selection of cheeses for those with less of a sweet tooth. The wine list has a decent by-the-glass selection and is helpfully divided by style so you can be sure to find the right bottle to complement your meal.