Surrounded by the manicured lawns of West London’s ever-sophisticated Holland Park, the Belvedere offers fine food in an exquisite ballroom that even the snobbiest Kensington resident couldn’t resist.

The Venue
Holland Park stands as one of the key reminders of why West London is still such a desirable area. Nothing to do with the abnormal quantity of tiny dogs with perfectly matching outfits, or the pretentious boutiques with overpriced wares. Instead, the beautiful park in the midst of the expensive Kensington suburb remains quaint and chic, which makes the ideal location for a restaurant. The Belvedere resides in the former ballroom of Holland Hall, harking back to the 1920s, where high ceilings, oriental floral wallpaper and chandeliers were du jour. A refreshing injection of modernity has also been added with bold contemporary pieces of work from the likes of Warhol and Hirst, contrasting with the delicate ornamentation. The brightness of the park seems to stream in, lifting the high ceilings even higher, and illuminating the overall grandness of the ballroom.

The Atmosphere
Tucked away in a secluded park ensures that the restaurant itself has a very serene ambience. The best of the old school West London bunch regularly dine at the Belvedere, so expect to see Lords and the like looking proper. Sunday lunch is when the families come out in their droves, but of course, they're very well-heeled families who rarely venture anywhere outside of a W postcode. The conversation is friendly yet well mannered, keeping the tone hushed and allowing all to enjoy the gentle sophistication of the venue.

The Food
With a menu that offers a variety of classic French and British dishes, the customers cannot expect anything particularly avant-garde, but what the Belvedere does, it does well. The smoked salmon starter is relatively self-explanatory, but the thick cuts of smoked fish have a delicate, delicious flavor and lemon vinaigrette adds the perfect amount of freshness. For mains, the seabass is very well cooked, delivering light, pearly fish accompanied by tasty earthy lentils that give some strength to the dish. For dessert the crème brulee has a delectable flavor and the smell of vanilla really lifts the dish.

The Drink
Suiting the dishes impeccably, the wine list is extensive, and although it's on the expensive side, there’s a good selection to please most wine aficionados. Ranging from £19.50 for half a bottle of Beaujolais to £420 for Grand Cru Classé, Pessac Leognan, the wine list reflects the clientele effectively.

The Last Word
A beautiful venue, good food and even better wine, it's no wonder the Belvedere has maintained its reputation in an area with very high standards.

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