Marylebone's Most Delectable Hidden Gem

Bellazul merits a visit if you are in the affluent neighborhood.

Mushroom tagliatelle at Bellazul

The charming streets of Marylebone consistently hide culinary treasures for its affluent residents. During the summer, the region is particularly vibrant with al fresco dining terraces and elegantly adorned rooftop cocktails; yet, the postcode entails the typical central London drawback: exorbitant prices for cuisine that is often underwhelming. We were pleased to discover Bellazul, one of the younger establishments, offering a combination of moderate prices and a menu of substantial Mediterranean cuisine. Was it delivered?

Bellazul, Marylebone

Indeed, Bellazul is a discovery you will wish to keep confidential. This small independent Mediterranean restaurant offers substantial, sun-kissed cuisine at moderate rates for London (mezze starting at £9, pasta from £16, mains from £19).

However, the eatery is well-known among the informed; it is bustling during my midweek visit in early summer. The terrace of the blue-fronted restaurant is lively beneath its meticulously striped awning. A man traversing from table to table engages the gathering with amiable and authentic charm, subsequently revealed to be the proprietor. A waiter effortlessly removes my coat and positions me by the large, arched windows to observe passersby while I await a companion. It is the ideal housewarming event.

The interior design at Bellazul

The furnishings are simple and minimalistic, avoiding greige tones: including yellow banquettes, bar seating, and a selection of gallery-lit artworks. There is no superficial interpretation of the trattoria style, nor any intention to provide as material for Instagram. It appears, like to its proprietor, exceedingly authentic.

There exists a thread of propriety and tradition simultaneously. The wine list has producers such as Ferrari, who prefer traditional winemaking techniques, and it is unlikely to include pet nat, focusing instead on established grape varieties. However, there are elements of play within this. The effervescent also includes fresh strawberries, for example. In instances when there is a strong emphasis on Italian cuisine—particularly pizza and primi, which constitute a significant chunk of the menu—it diverges to include a wider array of Mediterranean meals, such as its fluffy homemade pittas infused with spices and herbs, alongside a piquant baba ganoush. These excursions succeed due to the immaculate execution and rigorous consideration of the fundamentals.

The culinary execution is meticulous as well. Nonetheless, it is remarkable: a chicken paillard, flattened to the thickness of a pancake, is presented flawlessly cooked. Truffle and mushroom tagliatelle is opulent, velvety, and perfectly al dente. The kitchen exhibits a creative flair; the aubergine parmigiana achieves its delightfully crunchy topping by a brief completion in the wood-fired pizza oven. The team's warmth facilitates a candid glimpse behind the scenes, as the cooks openly discuss their techniques.

The pricing is favorable considering the portion sizes. Dessert may initially seem the least appealing aspect of the menu, until it is presented — colossal in size. A towering lemon meringue pastry (£12) sways enticingly, eliciting envious remarks from a nearby table that had contemplated abstaining from the dessert. I observe that they alter their decision when the server presents the dessert menu.

Bellazul proficiently masters the fundamentals while successfully diverging within its Mediterranean offerings. Particularly competitively priced for its location.

RESERVE NOW at  bellazul.co.uk 43 Blandford Street, London W1U 7HF