Michelin chef Aktar Islam announces opening date for new Brindleyplace restaurant Pulperia

Saturday Kitchen star and Michelin starred chef owner Aktar Islam will open his latest venture in Brindleyplace

Top Brummie chef Aktar Islam is gearing up to open a new restaurant in Brindleyplace.

The newly Michelin starred chef owner of Opheem  in Summer Row, will open Argentinian steak restaurant Pulperia on Monday, March 2.

It will take over the unit previously occupied by CAU which closed in 2018.

Pulperia will boast a unique Argentinian v-shaped, charcoal and wood-fired grill where the main menu focus - the steak will be cooked.

Pulperia will serve food 'inspired by and adapted from some of the world’s finest Argentinian recipes', as well as a wide variety of fish, grilled chicken and vegetarian options.

Mr Islam said: “There’s a common perception in the UK that Argentina’s cuisine is just slabs of steak and Malbec. We really want to do away with that and show how truly eclectic it is.... the cuisine is incredibly varied, from empanadas, to provoleta and some exquisite pastries it’s got influences from all its migrant communities, each with a rich culinary tradition.”

The starter menu includes Ceviche -  bass, citrus, shallots, avocado, radish,  chorizo -  pork & paprika sausage, heritage tomato, chimichurri and Morcilla - caramelized onion & blood sausage, tomato, charred cucumber.

Choose from mains dishes such as Carbonada - Patagonian beef stew, oxtail, potato, mushroom, Branzino - sea bass, clam mussel, Tierra del Fuego Chandon sauce.

Beef which will be sourced from Argentinian and UK includes Basque Cider House Steak and Bife de Chorizo sirloin.

The wine list will have a similarly strong South American focus.

Mr Islam was previously chef director of the Lasan group which owns Argentinian restaurant Fiesta del Asado on Hagley Road and in Shirley as well as Lasan restaurant in the Jewellery Quarter and Raja Monkey Cafe in Hall Green.

After leaving the Lasan Group, Islam opened Indian fine dining restaurant Opheem on Summer Row. It was awarded a Michelin star in the 2020 Guide published in October.

In January,  Aktar announced his other Summer Row restaurant Legna which opened a few months after Opheem, would not re-open after the Christmas break.

In a statement the chef owner said: "There are no immediate plans for Legna as we utilise this time to focus on the two new venues already scheduled to open this year (Pulperia Brindley Place & Edgbaston)".

Another Pulperia site will open on Highfield Road, Edgbaston later this year.

Other ventures includes newly rebranded Craft English Gardens at the ICC.

Brindleyplace has seen a number of new bars and restaurants moving in, including The Alchemist. Most recently BirminghamLive revealed Cosy Club will be taking over the former Smoke Hause restaurant.