Renowned restaurateur, Des McDonald is set to shake up the Birmingham dining scene with his latest venture Rofuto, a restaurant set high in the City skyline at over 141 f
eet in the sky with incredible 360 degree views. Opening on 26^th April with a £3 million investment, Rofuto will offer an izakayastyle restaurant, serving a high quality modern Japanese menu of world class dishes. The restaurant will sit alongside the stunning cocktail lounge and sake bar, Kurabu, from its unique rooftop position at the new Park Regis Hotel.

Located high above the City centre, the restaurant and cocktail lounge sits on the 16^th floor of Park Regis, the new 4 four star modern luxury hotel located in the heart of Birmingham. Rofuto is a direct translation of the word ‘loft’ in Japanese and the interiors reflect this inspiration. With a large central bar, an open Japanese style kitchen and an eclectic mix of furnishings, unique hand painted murals and design, Rofuto is a truly theatrical dining space. Kurabu, with its panoramic views of the city skyline, world class DJs and a backlit bar is perfect for more intimate drinking and dining.

The vision for the restaurant and cocktail lounge has been created by one of the UK’s most respected restaurateurs, Des McDonald. With over 20 years’ experience running some of the world’s most high profile establishments including Le Caprice, Scott’s, Soho House and Annabel’s. Early in his career, Des was Head Chef at the world famous Ivy restaurant, before moving from the kitchen into the boardroom to become CEO of Caprice Holdings.   Des was inspired to open Rofuto following visits to Tokyo and Singapore; he has developed every aspect of the concept, design and menu to bring a new izakaya-style restaurant to Birmingham’s thriving dining scene.

Des McDonald says: “I am delighted to be opening my first modern Japanese restaurant Rofuto, with my partners at Park Regis Birmingham. I love rooftop spaces, having opened four successful restaurants on the roof of Selfridges in London. I fell in love with the unparalleled dramatic views from the 16^th floor, Birmingham is a great, vibrant city and I’m excited to become part of it’s dynamic and diverse dining scene.”

Rofuto will be open for lunch and dinner on Tuesday to Saturday and Sunday for lunch. The restaurant will serve modern Japanese cuisine, made using world-class fresh ingredients, from traditional sushi to yakitori from the grill. The menu is divided into six sections: Sushi and Sashimi, Tempura, Robata Grill, Mains, Sides and Desserts.
Signature dishes include Foie gras nashi pear gunkan Chinese truffle; Confit duck andraspberry sunomono; Saffron gindara with razor clams, Chinese sausage, kohlrabi puree and sea herbs; Sesame tuna tataki and soft shell crab with wasabi puree and black garlic crumble and Miyazaki Wagyu beef served with gobo crisps, avocado puree, garlic ponzu and truffle salt. Desserts feature twists on European classics such as Matcha tiramisu and wasabi macaroon and Cardamom and coconut panna cotta with passion fruit.
Kurabu Cocktail Lounge will offer an array of wines, beers and soft drinks, along with a bespoke cocktail list and unique sake offering to perfectly compliment the Japanese cuisine. Fresh Sake from Takashimizu Brewery in Northern Japan will be on offer, alongside Koshua aged Sake from Shiraki Brewery in central Japan. The cocktail list includes highlights such as the Red Lotus which combines Shochu, Tequila, Cranberry and Lychee Sorbet and Kietsu which is an exotic combination of infused Raspberry Sake, Passionfruit liqueur, Apple and Pineapple. Rofuto’s wine showcases some more unusual varieties such as Pecorino, Gewurtztraminer and Pinot Blanc in the whites and a particular focus on low alcohol, low tannin reds.

The restaurant’s interior, designed by Tibbatts Abel (Interior Designer for Jinjuu Soho and Buddah Bar) is a fusion of urban, industrial and warehouse design inspiration alongside a fun and vibrant cocktail lounge style. Warm rustic timber is used throughout, with industrial tones and a palette of neutrals, warm taupe’s, greys and blacks.

Des McDonald honed his culinary skills and built up his knowledge cooking in 5-star hotels including The Ritz in London. In 1992 he got his big break with Caprice Holdings working as head chef at the legendary Ivy Restaurant. After a very successful 20 years with the Caprice Group – which saw Des move from the kitchen to the boardroom working for the last 12 years as Managing Director and Group CEO – also running the Soho House Group and the Birley Group, he decided to set up his own restaurant business. In May 2013 Des opened his first solo venture, the critically acclaimed Fish & Chip Shop on Upper Street, N1. Following its success, in February 2014 he launched Holborn Dining Room, a classic British brasserie at London’s five star hotel, Rosewood London. A new barbeque restaurant concept: Q Grill Chalk Farm followed and Des also had the opportunity to launch On the Roof with Q, a pop-up roof top restaurant at Selfridges that summer. In 2015 Des rebranded his restaurants on Upper Street & Liverpool Street to Vintage Salt, following the success of his third Selfridges rooftop pop-up of the same name. A fourth  Selfridges rooftop pop-up, Forest Restaurant & Cabin Bar with has a ‘foraging and foresting to fork’ menu concept launched in October 2015. Next Des ventured further afield to open The Printing Press Bar & Kitchen and Burr & Co on George Street, Edinburgh and The Refectory Kitchen & Terrace at The Royal York Hotel.

Park Regis Birmingham opens on Tuesday 29^th March 2016 and boasts 253 deluxe bedrooms, two junior suites, the largest presidential suite in the city, an executive level complete with conference and meeting space, and a business lounge with executive check-in facilities. The £50 million hotel is the brand’s first Park Regis in Europe and has created over 200 jobs for the region.

Telephone Number:      0121 369 8888

Website:             Rofuto.co.uk

Reservations:   reservations@rofuto.co.uk