Excitement is building in Sutton Coldfield as plans emerge for a new tapas restaurant that promises to bring a genuine taste of Barcelona to the West Midlands. The award-winning Baresca chain has set its sights on the former Bistrot Pierre location at Mulberry Walk in Mere Green, aiming to transform the vacant unit into a vibrant Spanish dining destination.
From Nottingham to Sutton Coldfield
Baresca Tapas Limited has formally applied for a premises licence for the site at 2 Mere Green Road, which previously operated as Bistrot Pierre before closing last summer. The company proposes ambitious opening hours from 8am until 12.30am daily, along with permissions to sell alcohol, play recorded music, and extend operations beyond the standard 11pm closing time.
The restaurant group already operates two highly successful venues in Nottingham - the original Baresca in Byard Lane and Escabeche in the affluent West Bridgford area. Both establishments have earned considerable acclaim, including recognition from Muddy Stilettos and a nomination in The Good Food Guide 2025 for Escabeche.
A Barcelona Experience in the Midlands
According to the company's website, the new Sutton Coldfield venue will aim to recreate "our own little slice of Barcelona" through meticulous attention to detail. The restaurant promises to incorporate subtle nods to Antoni Gaudí's distinctive architecture alongside authentic furnishings reminiscent of traditional Catalan backstreet bars.
"Soak in the atmosphere - every detail has been obsessed over," the website declares, inviting diners to "knock back a couple of cerveszas and take it all in." The emphasis appears to be on creating an immersive Spanish experience rather than simply serving Spanish food.
Critical Acclaim and Customer Praise
Baresca's existing restaurants have generated considerable buzz among food critics and local diners. Nottingham food bloggers Guys Who Dine famously described the city centre venue as "the next best thing to going to Barcelona," while numerous Tripadvisor reviews praise both the quality of food and the welcoming atmosphere.
One five-star review particularly highlighted the generous portion sizes, fresh cooking, and friendly, unrushed service. Another reviewer celebrated the £18 set menu offering excellent value with a starter, two tapas selections, and a side dish. The West Bridgford location, Escabeche, maintains a 'very good' rating on Tripadvisor, ranking as the sixth best among 37 eateries in that Nottingham suburb.
Licensing and Location Details
The licensing application currently awaits manager approval at Birmingham City Council, with Jonathan Charles Perkins named as the proposed designated premises supervisor. The chosen location occupies a prominent position within Mulberry Walk, the relatively new shopping and hospitality development at the heart of Four Oaks.
Interestingly, Mulberry Walk is owned by Nottingham City Centre, which may explain the connection between the Nottingham-based restaurant group and this particular Sutton Coldfield location. The site previously operated as Bistrot Pierre before being rebranded as Pierre's café bar last September - a change that ultimately proved insufficient to save the venue from closure.
What Diners Can Expect
Based on the existing Baresca restaurants, Sutton Coldfield diners can anticipate a menu featuring classic Spanish tapas with creative twists. Popular dishes at the Nottingham locations include garlic and chilli prawns, crispy fried squid, salmon tikka, cod tacos, Catalan broccoli, and patatas bravas, often followed by coffee and churros for dessert.
While most reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, some customers have noted a 10% service charge that wasn't explicitly mentioned - a detail potential diners may wish to bear in mind. BirminghamLive has approached Baresca for comment regarding their Sutton Coldfield expansion but has yet to receive a response at the time of writing.
The arrival of Baresca represents another significant development for Sutton Coldfield's dining scene, bringing authentic Spanish flavours and Barcelona-inspired ambiance to an area already known for its vibrant hospitality offerings. As the licensing process continues, local food enthusiasts eagerly await further details about opening dates and menu specifics for this exciting new addition to the region's culinary landscape.
