A year on since its opening in 2024 Bellazul in Marylebone has got its feet firmly under the table after just two months under new management. It oozes charm, the atmosphere is convivial and the place is packed, including all the tables on the street.
Lazarus, who runs the place, shrugs it off as simply their Mediterranean buzz. A Greek Cypriot himself, he has mostly worked in upmarket Italian restaurants and he brought his team with him. They all, incidentally, contribute to Bellazul’s considerable charm and offer just the right amount of advice.
As Gem and I arrived, they were preparing our table so we were offered a drink at the bar. We could have had cocktails but when Lazarus suggested bubbles, special bubbles, well, how could we refuse? This is not a Prosecco kind of place and instead we had Ferrari Blanc de Blanc which was lovely and just one of 10 superior kinds of fizz.
The Med feel is everywhere from the sunny yellows and sea-deep blues of the decor to – most importantly – the menu. So, there were some very nice sounding pastas and a couple of pizzas representing the Italian side of the Med, but there was paella and lamb tagine, too. In the end, though, we decided to go instead for a mixture (“Tapas and Cicchetti”). But how many dishes? This is often a problem with tapas and meze given how differently sized portions can be between restaurants. Lazarus suggested we make some selections and he’d just tell us when to stop. Which is exactly what we did.
There was a Parmigiana aubergine dish that oozed mozzarella and tomato. The Mushroom Arancini were deliciously light on rice with lots of mushroom and Gem declared them the best she’d ever had (I think the bechamel sauce could have contributed here). The Gambas al Ajillo were delicately cooked and full of flavour while the tzatziki sang with lemon juice.
Best of all was the Tartare di Tonno (yellowfin tuna tartare with avocado and lime). There were many more dishes I’d love to try (scallops, seabream carpaccio, baba ganoush) but this was more than enough and they’ll just have to wait for the next time.
We had gone our separate ways over the wine – Gem had opted for white and had a truly delicious Sancerre (the wonderfully named L’Indiscrete from the Loire) while Lazarus had recommended for me a Primitivo (one of my favourites, he’s clearly a mind reader). In this case, it was Imprint Primitivo Appassito and lived up to my expectations. The wine list is, incidentally, very well chosen.
Just as we thought the evening was over, a dessert was suggested. No, no, we said but, of course, succumbed to the chocolate fondant that oozed chocolate sauce. We shared one between us but, despite demurring, devoured it. Utterly delicious.
Did I say next time? Bellazul is about to launch its new summer menu and I, for one, can’t wait.
Bellazul, 43 Blandford Street, London W4U 7HF. For more information, and for bookings, please visit www.bellazul.co.uk.
