Filini Restaurant

What a treat. Found Filini on this site yesterday and read a very favourable review. A couple of our friends had also enjoyed the food early one evening with their 11 year old son.

We set out excited as we don't get out much with the promise of food to the standard of Opus, but with better atmosphere.

The greating was warm and the waiter extremely helpful. The menu is interesting- the starters (anti pasti) are the star turn. And before we tucked into our orders the olives- large and succulent some of the best and the homemade breads were a welcome to the feast for two hungry diners. We opted for the coopted house red - Masi Modello Delle Venezie- which was easy drinking and smooth- not too heavy just as my wife likes it. I was impressed and have sourced some tonight on the internet £7:49 per bottle from advintage.

The decor works as the front of the Radisson overlooks a busy roundabout so the blue curtains over a full glass frontage give the impression of space without the reality of the traffic. Unlike the previous reviewer the restraunt was full. The food was not rushed and we enjoyed the antipasta which was to a high standard going for the 'shareable' with a variety of cold meats and the buffallo mozzeralla.

My wife usually, slow to decide on her choices plumbed straight for the 'well kept' veal and was not disappointed she found it to be excellent. I deliberated and rembering a memorable steak at Opus went for the ribeye. Sadly, I was left wishing I'd gone for the lamb or plaice- well next time perhaps. The rib eye was a little cold and rather chewy- a curates egg- good in parts. The bed of 'greens' it came on seemed slightly over done and looked like my lawn (mown today!). The veggies were great, clean green beans, brocolli and spincach and rosemary roasties are to be recommended.

We settled to good conversation even though the ambient noise was a little high to hear each other easily. We ordered pud to share at 9:50 but sadly I can't tell you about it as by 10:20 it had not arrived and we had to leave to collect our daughter - so we cancelled it. Perhaps the number of diners was more than usual and the choc pud slipped the net. Shame. Our waiter could not have been more apologetic

The decor is great- love the wine rack feature and the pizza oven and the boys loo is worth a visit for the rackishly angled strip lights over the urinals! The seats are stylish and not 'back friendly' so I was glad to take the pleasant walk to the gents.

Overall it was a grand night out.
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Phil
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Sunday, April 26, 2009

This was our first visit to Filini... and wasn't disapointed! We arrived about 30mins before or Table was Booked, just so We could Relax and have a quiet drink at the Filini Bar... We were welcomed by a very Friendly member of staff, who took us to the Bar seating area, took Our Drinks order and left Us to look through the Menu...

The Restaurant was very quite, even though it was a Saturday Night, with only about 20 people Dinning! The Soft Lighting and Quite Music really made it feel very cozy and romantic... The Service was Fantastic and the Food was wonderful...

It isn't the Cheapest of Places to Eat, but I can't fault the place, it was a lovely evening and You can't put a price on that.

The Filini and the Opus must be 2 of Birminghams best Restaurants, for those special nights out.
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G Davies
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Had a fantastic meal in lovely surroundings with very helpful and friendly staff. Im quite a demanding customer asking for my order to be very specific, it was no problem and it was simply the best meal I've had in B'ham. A little pricy but you certainly get what you pay for. Only gripe to be had is that the air con made it a little chilly, however it was turned off on request! Superb!
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AO & JG
Thursday, May 08, 2008

We booked at Filini using the Special Offer '2 for 1 on main meals' which we thought was very good value. The Restaurant itself is very swish, modern and elegant but the staff made us feel very relaxed. The service was very friendly and efficient. The food was delicious, we had pasta for our mains (crab linguine and prawn parpadelle). We felt we got stung on the bill slightly - my 'small glass of merlot' was £7.25! and they had charged us for both main courses, which we had to ask to be taken off using the special offer. And the 10% service charge was slapped on, which I hate - I know it's commonplace now and I can understand if it's for a large table, but when there is just two of you, I think it is nicer to leave it to the diner's discretion. Who know's they make even get more than 10%, but it just takes the pleasure out of leaving a tip for good service.
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Monday, February 18, 2008

I found Filini an enchanting restaurant, the service was fantastic and the food was extremely high quality, I would definitely recommend it.
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Friday, February 08, 2008

quality of food was outstanding - excellent sea bass and veal. Good mood with the lighting and friendly staff.
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Rachel Williams
Tuesday, December 11, 2007