City News

Loves Restaurant triumph with three AA Rosettes

The AA has announced the latest additions to its restaurant awards, with Birmingham’s newest fine dining restaurant winning three AA rosettes after just being open four months.

Steve and Claire Love, formerly of Cotswold House in Chipping Campden, picked up three rosettes for their latest venture, Loves Restaurant in Birmingham.

Steve Love said that he was surprised to have been given the award so quickly, “we have had a long affiliation with the AA and I am really pleased that they have openly supported us so soon after opening.” 

Steve won the coveted National Chef of the Year for Great Britain in 2004, an award shared by only 22 chefs including Gordon Ramsey. With Steve also winning The Roux Scholarship in 1997, he is one of only 2 people in the country to hold both national awards.

Giovanna Grossi, the AA's hotel services group area manager, said she was delighted to see both new ventures and established restaurants gaining three rosettes.

"Restaurants serving food of a three-rosette standard are worthy of recognition from well beyond their local area…I am glad these 12 very deserving restaurants have been acknowledged for their efforts."

Grossi added: "It is wonderful that restaurants throughout the UK continue to challenge themselves and hone their skills, from emerging talent to established names that have moved on to pastures new."

Claire Love says, “This latest accolade is a fantastic coup for us. It’s completely unbelievable and rare for a restaurant that is so new to gain an entry at three rosette level. It’s a real testament to how hard we have all worked as a team since opening in September."

Steve and Claire opened their first restaurant in Leamington Spa in 2001, calling it Loves Restaurant and enjoyed much success including “Best Restaurant in Warwickshire” with the Good Food Guide.

Neil Rami, Chief Executive of Marketing Birmingham says: “We’re delighted that Love’s restaurant has received this national acclaim. The restaurant is a new addition to Birmingham’s thriving culinary scene and is certainly proving one to watch. Love’s now joins a number of restaurants in the city who boast a selection of awards and recognition on a national and international scale.”

The AA reported that “The thriving Birmingham dining scene has been enriched further by the arrival of Steve and Claire Love's eponymous restaurant. With a good measure of experience between them - Steve a sure hand in the kitchen and Claire a measured and calm presence front of house - the Loves have created a fine-dining venue of considerable class.” 

What a lovely start to the New Year.