One of Birmingham's newest eateries is leading the field with a hat-trick of nominations for prestigious restaurant awards to be handed out next month.
Opus has been shortlisted in the best wine list, best restaurant and rising star categories in Birmingham Bites Restaurants Awards 2007.
Michelin-starred Simpsons, in Edgbaston, and Rajdoot, in Hockley, will also be giving the new kid on the business block in Cornwall Road a run for its money.
Awards for best newcomer, best out of town restaurant and outstanding contribution will also be handed out during a VIP reception at the Taste of Birmingham festival, in Cannon Hill Park, on July 5.
The ceremony will be hosted by chef Anthony Worrall-Thompson, along with Ed James and Sarah-Jane Mee of Heart FM.
The shortlist was drawn up by a panel of judges including Neil Rami, of Marketing Birmingham; Glenn Sturley, of Lloyds TSB CarSelect; Karren Brady, managing director of Birmingham City FC; Jade Koch, sommelier at Rex Whistler Restaurant at Tate Britain; Peter Lippitt of website askmario.co.uk, and Paul Fulford, the Birmingham Mail food critic.
Mr Rami, chief executive of Marketing Birmingham, said: "It was certainly a difficult process deciding the shortlist for the Birmingham Bites Restaurant Awards.
"Birmingham's culinary scene is going from strength to strength and it has recently been named one of the top 10 food hot spots in the UK.
"I think the shortlisted restaurants and gourmet stars reflect the quality and variety on offer in the city, and I look forward to congratulating the winners on the night."
Public nominations for the three remaining categories - best service, best business lunch and best family restaurant - can be made online until June 22. People can vote for the awards at www.icbirmingham.co.uk/restaurantawards, and one reader will win a pair of VIP tickets to Taste of Birmingham, which runs from July 5-8.
* For ticket details and more information on Taste of Birmingham go to www.channel4.com/tastefestivals or book on 0870 060 3785.
The shortlisted nominees are:
Best Newcomer: Asha's, Kinnaree, The White Swan.
Best Out of Town Restaurant: The Rose and Crown, Mallory Court, The Boot Inn.
Best Wine List: Hotel du Vin, Opus, Wongs.
Best Restaurant of 2007: Opus, Simpsons, Rajdoot
Rising Star: Craig Gent (Opus), Remi Faveau (Maison), Mayci Claire Hutchings (Simpsons)
Outstanding contribution: Ann Tonks, Eddie McIntyre, Paul Salisbury.
