The Belvedere (W8)
Belvedere Restaurant
Off Abbotsbury Road
Holland Park
London W8 6LU
020 7610 4382
www.belvedererestaurant.co.uk
Off Abbotsbury Road
Holland Park
London W8 6LU
020 7610 4382
www.belvedererestaurant.co.uk
Ambience
Cuisine
Cuisine
Service
Value for Money
Value for Money
"The Belvedere is a very sophisticated place to eat and it's now my favourite restaurant" Not my words but straight out of the mouth of the Finnette, now fifteen (going on twenty).
And she's right, it is a proper grown up restaurant for grown up diners. Her Mum and I wanted to take her somewhere to enjoy her birthday and I thought she was now old enough to appreciate the charm and professionalism of this Marco Pierre White restaurant right in the middle of Holland Park.
Surrounded by lawns, beautiful flower gardens and a very pretty ornamental fountain, the restaurant occupies what was then the Summer Ballroom of 17th century Holland House. However, while the surroundings and views will enchant, it's the interior that sets the tone for one of London's loveliest dining experiences. The Belvedere is actually two restaurants in one. The upper floor has the best views of the gardens and somehow has a more formal feel, while the ground floor is buzzy and perhaps a little more relaxed.
But it's the food that keeps the demanding clients coming back and Executive Chef Billy Reid and his kitchen brigade produce some truly exceptional dishes. There's an extensive menu which should satisfy the palate of both regulars and newcomers and you get the feeling that this is the one restaurant that MPW wants to ensure is perfect.
On the birthday evening the Finn started with a delicate scallop salad with potato purée while the Finnette had asparagus with probably the best hollandaise sauce I've tasted for a long time (so often hollandaise is sour or too buttery). I kicked off with Snails Bourguignon. For mains I had Ballontine of Guinea Fowl with tarragon while Finn number one had Monkfish in a red wine and shallot jus and Finn number two had Bream with ratatouille.
For puddings we shared a Pear and Cinnamon Crumble with ice cream and an Amaretto Parfait. All in all a lovely civilized place to eat but, as you would expect, reasonably expensive. Count on around at least £50 per head with wine.
Exceptional value is the weekend lunch menu at £25 per head for three courses. Same high standard but with all the add-ons around £40 per head and, not surprisingly, a favourite with the Kensington set.
Are there any downsides? Well, a certain Mr Winner lives close by and is said to treat the Belvedere as his local snack bar. Apart from that; nothing.
Surrounded by lawns, beautiful flower gardens and a very pretty ornamental fountain, the restaurant occupies what was then the Summer Ballroom of 17th century Holland House. However, while the surroundings and views will enchant, it's the interior that sets the tone for one of London's loveliest dining experiences. The Belvedere is actually two restaurants in one. The upper floor has the best views of the gardens and somehow has a more formal feel, while the ground floor is buzzy and perhaps a little more relaxed.
But it's the food that keeps the demanding clients coming back and Executive Chef Billy Reid and his kitchen brigade produce some truly exceptional dishes. There's an extensive menu which should satisfy the palate of both regulars and newcomers and you get the feeling that this is the one restaurant that MPW wants to ensure is perfect.
On the birthday evening the Finn started with a delicate scallop salad with potato purée while the Finnette had asparagus with probably the best hollandaise sauce I've tasted for a long time (so often hollandaise is sour or too buttery). I kicked off with Snails Bourguignon. For mains I had Ballontine of Guinea Fowl with tarragon while Finn number one had Monkfish in a red wine and shallot jus and Finn number two had Bream with ratatouille.
For puddings we shared a Pear and Cinnamon Crumble with ice cream and an Amaretto Parfait. All in all a lovely civilized place to eat but, as you would expect, reasonably expensive. Count on around at least £50 per head with wine.
Exceptional value is the weekend lunch menu at £25 per head for three courses. Same high standard but with all the add-ons around £40 per head and, not surprisingly, a favourite with the Kensington set.
Are there any downsides? Well, a certain Mr Winner lives close by and is said to treat the Belvedere as his local snack bar. Apart from that; nothing.
Here Is The Writer : Richard Tobias
Richard Tobias brings a much needed dose of good behavior to HITC Life. His extensive career in tourism brought him an OBE in 1998. Richard is an experienced writer, lecturer and broadcaster, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, the Tourism Society and the Institute of Travel & Tourism as well as non-executive chairman of World Media Publishing. His Who's Who entry lists golf, good food and Chelsea Football Club amongst his passions. His favourite dining companion is The Finn, and sometimes her daughter, The Finnette.
view more articles by Richard Tobias
