Restaurants recognised with Michelin awards

Two restaurants in Birmingham have been recognised by the Michelin Guide.

Riverine Rabbit in Stirchley and Tropea in Harborne were both recipients of the Michelin Bib Gourmand, which is awarded to venues offering good value and good quality cooking.

The guide praised Riverine Rabbit for providing food that was "a vibrant joy to eat" and credited the restaurant's dining experience as "a guaranteed fun night out".

Tropeca was recognised as "celebration of classical Italian cooking", where the "kitchen's generosity" means diners leave with full stomachs after "relaxed, welcoming service".

Tropea was also celebrated by the guide for its Italian wine list, which was said to be "great value".

"Its simple, ingredient-led dishes and high-quality homemade pastas, can all be enjoyed in a buzzing environment", it added.

The restaurant and bar is co-owned by Ben Robinson Young and Kasia Piatkowska, who said the award means "so much" to them.

"It represents what we hoped Tropea would become: a restaurant that serves great food, that's good value, cooked with care and served with love", they said.

Riverine Rabbit, which is owned by Erin and Ash Valenzuela-Heeger and specialises in small plates with south-east Asian flavours, was described as a "terrific counter restaurant".

Co-owner and chef, Ash said: "We're chuffed to bits, it means a lot to us because we have worked so hard over the last couple of years.

"Our restaurant is quite unique, it's one big chef's table, I cook right in front of you, I'm handing you the plates and telling you all about the ingredients."

Erin Valenzuela-Heeger said working alongside her wife is a great way to spend time together.

"It's incredible getting to work with Ash and delivering incredibly high-standard food, watching the person you love doing what they love, is also an incredible thing to witness day in day out.

"We get on so well and I think it shows to anyone who comes to the restaurant, most people comment on it, especially those who come with their other half."

Ash Valenzuela-Heeger, who is originally from South Africa, has also been recognised with the Michelin Young Chef Award.

The Michelin inspectors said Ms Valenzuela-Heeger was an example of "exciting young talent" and her cooking had "generated a buzz in Brummie circles".

"We always say we strive to be 1% better everyday, so I have no doubt this time next year we will be even better than we are now", Ms Valenzuela-Heeger added.

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