Sutton Park's Bracebridge restaurant defends menu change - ‘if it doesn’t work for someone that’s cool’

The venue restaurant in Sutton Coldfield beauty spot has rejigged its menu offering a simpler, streamlined approach

An enviably-placed restaurant in Sutton Coldfield which has launched a new streamlined menu has defended the changes after facing criticism on social media. The Bracebridge, which sits by a pool of the same name in Sutton Park, has relaunched its offer, meaning the main and terrace menus have been replaced with one all-encompassing offer.

The recently-burgled restaurant announced the change on Tuesday, October 1 and said: “Our new menu is designed for social sharing and enjoyment among the table. Bookings are open.

“We are so excited for you to try this new menu and we hope to see you dine with us soon.” The changes have been made to counter increasing costs and in a bid to make the venue sustainable going forward.

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Gone are ‘terrace’ dishes like burgers with tomato jam and fish finger sandwiches with tartar sauce – both with fries (which were £15 each), and in comes a one-page menu with individual dishes – think starters, including crispy potato skins with sour cream and chive. Or BBQ olives cheddar cheese. Both £7. Or breaded cauliflower crispy onions and cheddar sauce or spiced corn ribs and lime. Both £3.

There are small dishes including wild mushroom arancini, celeriac and truffle or lasagne slice, cheese and tomato for £14. Or halloumi fries, honey and chilli for £12.

Large dishes range from BBQ hispi cabbage, almond puree and smoked chilli for £16, baked potato, cheese custard, sour cream and garlic for £18. To Creedy Carver duck, orange glaze and burnt orange and srincha monkfish tail and spiced carrot for £36. Or aged dairy cow ribeye steak with garlic butter for £48.

The new menu has a Social Sundays section with lamb, pork or beef roasts with trimmings – a modern social take on Sunday lunch’ for £28. Sides called ‘compliments’ include crispy potatoes, chilli sauce and onion or truffle and parmesan potatoes. Both £7.

A range of flatbreads – garlic for £12 or gorgonzola and apple, parmesan and truffle or roasted bone marrow and garlic – all £14. While desserts include classic Italian favourite, tiramisu, a blackberry frangipane tart or salted caramel crème brulee – all £9. Or deep fried brioe and honey for £12.

The restaurant has hit back at criticism on its Facebook post – where Mark Bennett quipped ‘when were you awarded your second star?’ He added: “I was comparing the prices with the two Michelin star restaurants I ate in last month.” And Simon Steggles said: “The view is great, but it’s like they don’t want to make it work. £9 for spuds?”

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Sutton Coldfield-based food writer Bab about Town defended the venue and said: “I dined there last night, and I can say the £9 price tag for the potatoes is more than justified. Everything is homemade – not the mass-produced, microwaved stuff you might find elsewhere. The quality is exceptional, and the food was fantastic.

“Cost of ingredients and suppliers has risen significantly over the past couple of years. In fact, wholesale food prices in the UK increased by around 20 per cent in 2023 alone, affecting everything from dairy to fresh produce. So, naturally, this reflects in the price of dishes.

“The restaurant’s new dining system is also a huge improvement. We went as a group of five, and it worked seamlessly. Overall, we all thought it was a great experience and a step in the right direction.”

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The Bracebridge responded and said: “Price is depicted by the cost of produce staff and central overhead, stars don’t change any of those principals the model of operation depicts the price. A badge has no relevance to that position which is why often a fine dining restaurant with no star is similir to that of one with one. Our owners own eight restaurants all of which are recognised by Michelin and those sites cost less to operate then the Bracebridge.

“The menu you see is similar to another site they own in north wales and they have no issue. What we would say is this our menu is there for all to see.

“If it doesn’t work for someone that’s cool. They don’t have to come, we don’t set up to cater for everyone as, to put it simply, no restaurant can

“It’s a choice. You can come, not come. There is no hard feelings if someone feels it’s not for them. What I would say is that restaurants on average earn sub five per cent margin, so no-one is making a fortune from the £1m investment into the site and the further investment needed to maintain it.”

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Vegan, Yvonne Moore, bemoaned a dish of ‘years ago’ missing- a ‘lovely asparagus risotto’ then chef used to make. Adding: “Vegan-friendly restaurants are few.”

Two ‘individual’ dishes, one small dish, a large dish and a compliment are listed as vegan. But no desserts. Although the menu will change ‘regularly’, it said.

The Bracebridge said vegan diners were ‘only 1.6 per cent of the market’, adding: “If the market was bigger then the current position it’s likely we would be able to offer more.”