Jewellery Quarter move for restaurant

A WELL-known Nepalese restaurant is to close its Birmingham city centre base and move to the Jewellery Quarter next month.

JoJolapa will be closing its longstanding Newhall Street base and moving to premises on Frederick Street in the Jewellery Quarter.

The award-winning venue will replace the old Portofino restaurant which has been lying empty for over a year.

JoJolapa owner Sanju Shrestha said: “We’ve been at Newhall Street for 12 years and very proud of that. It’s always been a difficult location but the quality of our food has meant we have had a great regular trade.

“When we heard the Portofino lease was up, we had a look around and immediately fell in love of the interior.

“The location is still close enough for our regulars but we can also welcome new people.

“The new site has a truly beautiful interior with lots of exposed brickwork and high exposed ceiling. And it’s a similar size to our old restaurant”

Mr Shrestha has taken over the family business from his father Ganesh a chef who first opened JoJolapa in 2006 to rave reviews.

Mr Shrestha revealed the new restaurant will boast a “100 per cent authentic Nepalese menu”.

He said: “Nepalese food is much more delicately spiced than Indian food. Although the two cuisines have some similar dishes we want to focus on the Nepalese flavours which also have Chinese influences.”

The menu will include JoJolapa favourite, traditional Nepalese momos – a Tibetan style dumpling with Nepalese spices – filled with chicken, pork as well as vegetarian options. There are also noodles and Nepalese style hot chicken chow mein.