Amantia

The name Amantia means a lot to the owners of this Spanish and Mediterranean passion project in the heart of Birmingham’s Ladywood. First of all, it’s the name of an ancient Greek polis, the ruins of which can be found near one half of this restaurateur-duo Andrea Tragaj’s birthplace. Commanding an important position overlooking the Strait of Otranto that divides the Balkan peninsula from the heel of Italy, to those of us in search of good food it signifies Mediterranean. It is also the initials of Tragaj and Marta Retenaga’s children, and we’d like to introduce you to their most bold and mature offspring: their Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant along Bennetts Hill.

In Birmingham, Amantia have already made a name for themselves whipping up some of Ladywood and Birmingham’s best tapas. These days it seems like every foodie is in search of a default location for the Spanish small plates, and it certainly looks like a good number have decided to call Birmingham’s Amantia, up Bennetts Hill, their home when it comes to this popular, shareable pastime. Amantia also do a selection of pan-Mediterranean crepes, taking in influences from France, naturally, but also some further-flung flavours reminiscent of Italy and the Levant. A considered main menu is strongly Spanish and Iberian, divided evenly between heavenly meat and chicken dishes and seafood. Fine old world wines, Spanish beers available by the bottle or on tap, plus a resident mixologist preparing classic and contemporary cocktails, rounds off a superlative Spanish and Mediterranean offering in central Birmingham.