Belvedere

Tucked away in Holland Park, Belvedere fits right in with the glamour of its west London location. There’s a clandestine nature to arriving at the gates of the park after hours, an eerie quiet with nothing but streetlamps to guide your way. It’s a complete parallel to the restaurant that sits at its heart. 

A cosy entrance welcomes you into the building, easing us in before we’re engulfed in the dining room, a large open space that exudes warmth (and not just because of the roaring fire). Terracotta walls and an abundance of foliage give the impression of an evening on a Tuscan terrace. It’s grand and lavish, offering elegance that’s perfectly balanced with charming Italian hospitality. We feel right at home.   

Lello Favuzzi’s creative Mediterranean a la carte is pure excellence from start to finish - we can hardly fault it. Oysters with raspberry granita, make a playful, fruity start. A black fig salad might not sound like much, but it’s packed full of nuts and crumbled smoky ricotta, and we can’t stop eating. 

Beetroot ravioli was a tad chewy, which seems like a rather pedantic gripe for these perfect half-moon pillows that come stuffed with burrata and topped with an extra cheesy parmesan hit. But it’s the chef’s recommendation of added balsamico that brings the dish to life. Desserts take everything up a notch, if it’s even possible at this point with a decadent blueberry and almond tart has us scraping the plate clean.   

An impressive collection of drinks is on offer, and we’re kept in full supply throughout the evening, sampling cocktails, Champagne and perfectly paired wines. Head sommelier, Joseph Pelosi knows exactly what to recommend.  

Prices match the site’s unique location, but if you’re looking to splurge then this one is worth every penny. Attentive service, impeccable cuisine and a buzzing atmosphere are just a few of the reasons we’re already planning to return to Belvedere. 

Located in the heart of Holland Park, Belvedere has recently undergone a bit of a change, with the introduction of a new head chef, Antonio 'Lello' Favuzzi, who was formerly of The Wolseley, Mortimer House and L'Anima. Favuzzi brings with him the beautiful flavours of Italy to the gardens of West London, and celebrates seasonal cooking with great produce at its heart. Ingredients are sourced from villages across Italy, and although you'll be between the leafy trees of Holland Park, you will feel as though you've been whisked away to Tuscany with the stunning interiors and equally magnificent food.

Your food options include starters of bluefin tuna ventresca salad with artisan Apulian burrata and sturgeon black caviar. Next up, you can enjoy raw dishes of wild sea bass ceviche and Scottish langoustine or the Japanese kingfish carpaccio. Pasta, and lots of it, is served at Belvedere – of course it is, it’s an Italian restaurant. Try the beetroot ravioli with smoked burrata, hazelnuts and balsamico, a beef tortello and red wine reduction pairing, or the paccheri with white fish and saffron. Other main dishes include the wild turbot steak with clams and saffron sauce, a delicious Italian spiced corn fed chicken with charcoal hispi cabbage and charcoal cauliflower with tahini, yoghurt and chilli sauce. Order some pizza for the table, like the pear, gorgonzola and pecan option, or truffle pizza, or, order a selection of sides. There are plenty to choose from, including hand cut chips, purple broccoli and a winter tomato salad.

The blueberry and almond tart is an exquisite dessert, as is the classic Italian tiramisu topped with sanded hazelnuts. Enjoy your meal with a selection of cocktails, like the Capri Sour made with Gin Mare Capri, grapefruit and lemon verbena, along with amalfi lemon and white peach.