I had the pleasure of dining at Belvedere Restaurant recently, and I must say it was an impeccable experience from start to finish. From the moment we arrived on time, we were greeted with warm and attentive hospitality that set the tone for a memorable evening.
Our culinary journey began with the antipasti, where the Truffle Asparagus stole the show. It was an absolute must-try, combining the earthy richness of truffles with perfectly cooked asparagus. The Calamari was also delightful, demonstrating the chef's skill in creating a crispy, tender, and flavorful dish.
What further enhanced our experience was the outstanding wine selection that was introduced to us. The sommelier's expertise was evident in the perfectly paired wines that complemented each course.
Moving on to the primi courses, we indulged in the Crab Linguini and Artichoke Ravioli. Both dishes were exceptional, but the Artichoke Ravioli was a revelation. Its original and bold flavor profile made it a standout choice for those willing to explore new taste sensations. It's definitely a must-try for those looking for a daring culinary adventure.
For the secondi, the Lamb was nothing short of spectacular. It was prepared to perfection, tender, and bursting with flavor. The Cauliflower Grill, on the other hand, was a testament to the restaurant's innovative approach to cooking. This dish was not only delicious but showcased a level of creativity that deserves a permanent place on the menu since it can be nice addition to vegetarian options.
To conclude our culinary journey, we savored the White Chocolate Mousse for dessert. It was a heavenly and indulgent finale to a perfect meal.
Overall, our dining experience at Belvedere Restaurant was exceptional in every way. The combination of warm and attentive service, innovative dishes, and an overall ambiance that promotes an unforgettable experience made for a truly delightful evening. The outstanding wine selection, expertly paired with our meal, elevated the experience to new heights. We can't wait to return and explore more of what this remarkable restaurant has to offer. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a memorable...
Read moreWe visited for dinner on a Saturday. It was quite convenient to be able to use the Holland Park car park, which is available exclusively to Belvedere guests during the evenings, and just a few metres from the restaurant.
It is a beautiful venue with high ceilings and earthy decor. Certainly has that wow factor. We were a family of 2 adults and 2 young kids and were given a table which could easily fit 6 people, which was a refreshing change versus being crammed into a tiny space, which is a far too regular occurrence nowadays!
We ordered the bread, calamari fritti, langoustine carpaccio, a truffle pizza, a large (850g) sirloin steak on the bone, with some fries and broccoli on the side. A few kids options were on offer, and we ordered a plate of spaghetti for our younger child. For dessert we had the blueberry almond tart, white chocolate mousse and a couple of scoops of their homemade ice cream. The food was really good. Everything was prepared to a high standard. Highlights were the truffle pizza, the steak, the almond tart and a very decadent chocolate ice cream.
Service was very friendly and attentive, while food was delivered at a quick pace, which is our preference. The only hiccup on the night was from the hostess who seemed to be all over the place, even leaving me a voicemail when we were mid-meal asking why we hadn’t showed up yet!
The bill for our meal came to £410, of which £90 was spent on drinks. While we did very much enjoy our meal at Belvedere, the pricing did seem a bit excessive and left a bit of a sour note. Funnily enough I had a similar experience at sister restaurant Wild Tavern a couple of years ago, which was also deceivingly expensive. I would point out Pollini at Ladbroke Hall as a good reference point in the area, offering Italian food of a similarly high standard in a similarly grand setting, and on a recent visit here the bill for my family was closer to £300, which seemed more acceptable. That said, I wouldn’t rule out a return to Belvedere, but will probably save it up for a special occasion, or for when someone else is...
Read moreWe visited The Belvedere last night to celebrate our 15-year wedding anniversary, having chosen it based on a strong recommendation from my sister, who’s a regular. Unfortunately, the experience didn’t live up to expectations.
We arrived just after our 8:00pm reservation and were told there wasn’t time for a pre-dinner drink at the bar due to the two-hour table limit. That set the tone for what ended up feeling like a very rushed evening.
By 8:15, we had already placed our food order, and while the starters arrived quickly, the wine we ordered did not. I asked the waiter if we could have a pause before the main course to slow the pace a little — this was meant to be a relaxed, special evening. But within minutes, our mains were brought out (at 8:35), and the starter plates were cleared. When I mentioned our request again, I was told it was already with the kitchen and couldn’t be delayed.
To make things worse, our wine didn’t arrive until around 8:50 — just as we were finishing our mains. The senior waiter did acknowledge things felt rushed and offered us two glasses of house wine as a gesture, which we appreciated. But by 9:15, we were done and heading home — a £200 dinner that barely lasted an hour and left us both underwhelmed.
What disappointed us most wasn’t just the pace but the lack of any personal touch for what we had mentioned was a special occasion. A small acknowledgment of our anniversary — even just a kind word — would have meant a lot.
The food below average , but the overall experience didn’t reflect the care or atmosphere we had hoped for on such an important evening. I’m sharing this in the hope it helps the team improve the experience for others celebrating special moments. I did write a personal email to the manager, but I've not received...
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