Barely a year old, Bellazul restaurant and bar on Blandford Street is a great new addition to the many eateries in the Marylebone neighbourhood.
Decor is warm with a calming mix of blue walls, white and light wood, made ever so cosy by the hues of lantern lights. There are traditional tables, and some high tables too on the ground floor and on one floor done, there is a larger restaurant in the same colour scheme.
The menu has plenty to offer, a range of tapas, some flat breads, pizzas and pasta, all freshly made on the premises. These are flavours you might find in Italy, Spain or Greece.
We got there early one heady spring evening, a tad too early so we propped up the bar for a glass of Ferrari Maximum Blanc de Blanc, a lively Italian sparkling wine, and a flavoursome Margarita cocktail expertly made by Lazarus, the manager.
Soon after we made our way to our table and were served with a basket full of a various homemade breads, olive oil and a bowl of olives which we nibbled on waiting for our three starters.
We chose the Tzatziki and dipped pitta into its soft creaminess, tartare di Tonno, a tangy and juicy bites of soft yellowfin tuna tartare on avocado, flavoured with lime, and a mushroom arancini, a set of four golden brown balls, which had super crispy coatings with gorgeous mozzarella and bechamel sauce inside.
My main course was the flavoursome grilled chicken Paillard – the chicken is pounded flat and flashifried in a sauté pan – topped with tomatoes, rocket and shaved parmesan. This is a classic Italian dish perfect for spring or summertime dining.
Chicken Paillard
My partner enjoyed a soft and juicy beef fillet with s green peppercorn sauce and veal jus paired with a glass of a tasty ruby red Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Gran Sasso from Italy offering blueberry and subtle herb flavours.
beef fillet with s green peppercorn sauce and veal jus
43 Blandford St, W1U 7HF