After seeing all of the voices recommending this place on here, I simply HAD to give this a try…read more.. This Italian popped up some time ago in the Jewellery Quarter. I have walked past it possibly hundreds of times and seen many a happy diner munching on some delicious pasta or sipping on a nice glass of chilled white wine, but hadn't ever really given it much thought. When Elite Adam L. suggested a "January catch up", I figured it was high time to pop in and give it a look... Cucina Rustica is a smart looking Italian with decking outside and a clean, well maintained exterior. As I have said in many a review, I am not a huge fan of Italian food; but that opinion is starting to change after a number of great experiences at local Italian delights in the Midlands. After reading Dave C. and Lizzi H's reviews, I felt it would be a good bet as somewhere new to try. We were greeted straight away on entry and asked where we would like to sit (this was a lunch sitting, at around 1:30pm). There were a few diners, but it wasn't so busy that it felt bustling. We chose a table by the window and were presented with menus. There is a LOT of choice! You get the usual (pasta, pizza and salad etc), but many of the dishes came with an unexpected twist or slightly different ingredients which I found to be really interesting. I decided to go for a seafood salad and my partner in dining opted for the pasta. The dish was Much bigger than I expected and came loaded with crab meat, salmon and pretty huge prawns served on a bed of leaves, tomatoes and some kind of crispy dish. For £11.95, I definitely felt this was worth the money. Everything was fresh and tasty and it seemed to be a great choice for a hearty (but healthy-ish) lunch. We both had a soft drink to go with our meal and ended up being in the venue for around maybe... an hour and a half? We weren't rushed (but were checked on) and felt like we were looked after over our visit. I can't comment on the final bill (Adam very kindly paid) but I would imagine it would have been around the £30 mark. I would certainly recommend a visit to this venue. I can only speak for my lunch experience, but we had great food, attentive service all in a lovely location.

Stress in this area as there are a few Italian restaurants that are right next to each other, i…read moredon't want no gang war. So which flag do i wave? This one by far, almost by default as the others are just plain bad. All the staff seem nice, even though i have Italian blood i cant speak the lingo but its nice to see them trying to speak english rather than me trying to speak italian. The prices for the evening can be quite pricey, upwards of £15.00+ so i tend to drop in for the lunch time deal, a set menu is £12.00 a head with lots of options. I can never remember what i eat, but its always good. The quality of food is good enough here to take risks and try new things, if all else fails there are quite a few bottles of wine at the lower end of the price scale.

Really superb little place!!! Absolutely recommend it. The food is good, the place itself is…read morefriendly, very nicely set up and gives you a real summery feeling but also a little romantic. The staff are very friendly and we sometimes got a glass of wine as a thank you after a meal, how sweet is that?! I always felt that the place is special and that it deserves more attention. The guys are open to customising dishes which doesn't seem to be standard anymore and the pizzas and salads in there are yum! Then have a lovely terrace outside which is really nice in the summer. You can sit outside and be part of the street life, look at St. Paul's square or watch what's happening in the actress and bishop. We have spent many dinners here and always liked it. Do try it!

My colleague chose this restaurant for her maternity leaving do, there were eight of us in total…read moreand we were given a table in the corner. You get packets of breadsticks which are lovely and they make you wanting more!! Might have to look for some to buy!!! We shared garlic bread pizzas which were thin and crispy. Really nice! For main I had the crab ravioli which had clams in the sauce. It was nice but not a big dish,. As you only get a couple of big ravioli. I was still lil hungry after but decided not to have dessert. It is a nice restaurant with lovely staff but it was noisy, I found it hard to hear my colleagues talking. I think I would choose a different dish next time. It all looked great.

Came here last night as part of a dear friend's celebrations. As is often the case when someone…read moreelse organises it, an Italian is booked. This is where I usually mildly dread things, and politely keep my mouth shut about my aversion to Italian food. We were a large party so ordered ahead on the set menu which was actually a really good choice. Over fifty percent of the people on our table ordered the beef stroganoff, which was apparently amazing (and it did smell good). Nearly all of us had three courses, I had the whitebait to start, which smelt quite fishy, but didn't taste it. I think they were probably slightly overdone, but they still tasted good. Salmon for main, and it was a huge portion, with some of the best seasoned potatoes i've had on the little side of veggies that came with it. The chocolate cake was chocolate cake, and the semifreddo was gorgeous. The service was lovely, and attentive, with the little things like replacing a knife without having to ask. All for £25 with coffee or tea I'd say it's pretty good value. Expect to pay upwards of £18 for a bottle of wine. It wasn't perfect, but it was a lovely setting- and everyone left happy and full.

Piccolino is one of the most authentic Italian restaurants I have been to in Birmingham. Slightly…read morehidden around one of the quieter squares in Brindley place a few people I have spoken to about it don't know this place exists....they really need to! Upon arrival at the restaurant for a friends birthday we were quickly welcomed by two very happy waiters who quickly took our coats and asked us if we would like to get a drink in the bar area while we wait for our other guests. Within seconds our drink orders had been taken and we were taken to a booth to sit down and relax. As soon as our other guests arrived we were taken around to our table which had been beautifully laid out with everything you could need and more, our drinks were brought over for us and we were offered a look at the menu. The menu is pretty much what you would expect from an Italian restaurant with a whole host of pastas, salads and pizzas all with mouth watering descriptions which instantly mades you want to eat everything! I went for the spinach and ricotta tortellini which was fantastic! It was beautifully crafted and presented with rich and tasty dressing over the pasta shells. After such a good main meal we decided to go all out and order a desert......I went for the tiramisu. This was also very well prepared and again I could not fault it. This is somewhere I would really only go for a treat as it is slightly more expensive than some of the other restaurants in the area but what a treat it is. The staff are some of the best and most helpful I have ever come across and the food is spot on.

Piccolino, has to be a role model for that great dining out experience…read more Meeting a friend here for a quick brunch last week, the place doesn't disappoint, and you'll want to come again. We sat outside in the gorgeous sunshine, although the seating inside is elegant with bright red sofas, you feel you want to dress for the occasion and make a full day of it, it's so nice. Quieter in the day than the evenings, the Italian food is delightful. We tried the grilled asparagus with poached eggs, and shared a Margherita pizza for our mains. The ingredients they use in their meals are fine, and the options form part of their spring menu. A nice light lunch, washed down with Rose, at a decent price too. They ideal place to go for top quality exquisite food within an elegant and well designed restaurant. The waiters make you feel very relaxed and advise you on what's best to try if you've not visited before. They also have a Royal Ascot ladies lunch, available from the 21st June 2012, if your after something special.

I popped in for lunch this friend to catch up with a friend (and I had 25%off!). Luckily I had…read morebooked, because the place was full! Sadly my friend cancelled last minute, but I decided to stay anyway. I ordered a mint and lemon spritz almost straightaway, but waited nearly 25 minutes for it to arrive and when it did, it wasn't the right drink! So had to wait another ten minutes for it to arrive, I was parched!;) In the meantime they had taken my food order-belly pork, but after seeing people who had arrived after me get served earlier I was starting to get anxious. A waiter came and said my food was on its way, which either means they forgot or messed up my order. When it did arrive is was really tasty and just what I wanted. I like them venue and the staff seem very nice but it seems they do have a few things to iron out, so I'll give them another chance.

Was lucky enough to be on the guest list for free tasting of their menu.. and it was brilliant! Our…read moreserver kitti was really knowledgeable about all the drinks and food as all of the staff have tasted every item on the menu! The decor is lovely and all of the staff are really friendly. This is definitely going to be the hardest place to get a table for a while. I had the prawn starter (I also tried the ribs) and they were delicious and for main I had fillet steak which was cooked brilliantly. My other favourite dish from my table was the pork wrapped in Parma ham (saltimbocca) it was a massive portion and really tasty! I need to go back to try the puddings as these look fab but I was too stuffed for a lunch. Speaking of which they have a great value lunch menu!

What the hell? First…read moreoff i saw the owner fall down some stairs during one of him many "trips" from the restaurant to the kitchen, im sorry to say he deserved it. The guy made me buy a starter so i could redeem a 241 offer on main courses. This was not in the terms and conditions at all but we sat down anyway as my girlfriend liked the menu. We ordered drinks and i got the terms of the offer up on my phone to show the manager. When he saw them he insisted that they have contacted voucher cloud and are trying to get it changed, and people who want to redeem that voucher are not given a table. We ordered the starter, 7 quid for some flat bread and dips, enough for 2 to share. For mains I ordered the meatballs and my girlfriend got the chicken. Both of the meals sucked in my eye, the chicken and meatballs were tasteless, the fires that came with the food were microwaved and flat. They brought some extra potatoes out for my girlfriends dish five minuets after our food came, tried one and it tasted horrid but im not sure what it was supposed to taste like. The decor looks like a mustard jar, they need to paint the radiator i was sitting by to match the rest of the yellow surroundings. Also when we got there no staff appeared for five minuets, i guess they dont want to be there either.

I began with a Mozzarella Melt. Mushrooms, tomatoes and garlic. My guest had the Calamari and…read morereported a melt in the mouth texture. Seasoned lamb in a red wine and rosemary sauce, served with spinach and potatoes was my choice for main course. The lamb fell apart on the plate such was the tenderness. I couldn't resist my fork wondering across the table to my guest's plate on which was a juicy pile of Meatballs and Halloumi in an Aubergine sauce. Delicious. There was much room for dessert but one glance of the Tiramisu I suddenly found space. Tiramisu translates as "pick me up", this whole experience has picked me up. Definitely worth a visit.

Without question the best Italian trattoria in all of the Midlands. The food is fabulous…read more Atmosphere is great. Staff is discerning, yet willingly accommodating. I have requested dishes they've made and they put together a great meal. The staff thanked us for giving them ideas. One dish became known as "Pasta Americana" in our honor. Great wine list! Located off Banker's Square.

Everything was amazing, thank you so much to all the staff at San Carlo especially our waiter ,…read moreOsama. He made our night extra special. A big thank you to him. We will definitely be back again. x

Fantastic Italian restaurant which is getting more and more…read morepopular since a lot of rave reviews in local newspapers. The exterior does not do the restaurant justice! the quaint interior is very inviting and the food is top quality. The menu is very large and boasts the great Italian dishes but all for a fantastic price. Very very very highly recommended!

Awesome service! The kissogram was amazing, one of the best I have seen and all the girls had a…read morefantastic night. Highly recommend.

Great food and the service is impeccable with a cool vibe in the restaurant. Would definitely come…read moreback

The pros - great location outside on a record breaking day for UK temperatures, the service, the…read morebeer, the pizzas (calzone and regular). The cons - their fryer was not working so none of the regular apps available (calamari etc). Will be back.