BELVEDERE HOLLAND PARK

Holland Park restaurant, Belvedere, is delighted to announce the appointment of Antonio ‘Lello’ Favuzzi as Head Chef. Lello will bring a touch of Italy to the green gardens of West London, where he will showcase his love for provenance and seasonal cooking with produce at its heart.

DINING AND DRINKING

With an exceptional culinary background, Lello’s appointment comes after an informed career spent in some of the capital’s most prominent restaurants, from The Wolseley with Corbin & King to Guy Ivesha’s Mortimer House and L’Anima. Before moving to Belvedere, Lello was Executive Chef at Macellaio, overseeing the Italian restaurant’s all six kitchens.

Favuzzi brings his wealth of experience and the vibrant cuisine of his hometown, Sassari, to the famed building in Holland Park – a testament to the rich heritage and timeless elegance that defines the restaurant.

Working with small-scale suppliers, Lello’s menu celebrates seasonality with premium produce sourced from villages across Italy, including black winter tomatoes from Sicily, radicchio tardivo from Veneto and earthy porcini mushrooms from Umbria.

With a focus on seafood, flavours of Italy and the Mediterranean are threaded throughout Lello’s new menu in dishes such as Vitello tonnato; Beetroot ravioli with smoked burrata; and Wild turbot steak with clams and saffron. A dedicated raw selection using the highest-quality fish includes Langoustine carpaccio; Wild sea bass ceviche; and Bluefin tuna tartare.

Favuzzi also makes use of Belvedere’s historic wood-fired oven to prepare thin-crusted pizzas, topped with fine Italian produce. Freshly made dough with Porcini and taleggio; Truffle; and Pear, gorgonzola and pecan are cooked over flames and served directly to the table. Desserts are modern takes on classics including Tiramisu; the Belvedere cannoli; or Blueberry and almond tart, with the option of sweet wine pairing with golden Sauternes and Passito on pour.

For a pre-dinner aperitivo or a casual afternoon drink, guests can head to the striking cocktail bar, which sits at the heart of the restaurant. The menu is a masterclass in modern classics, with a series of handcrafted cocktails that reflect the elegant surroundings. Signature and seasonal drinks include Capri Sour, made with Gin Mare Capri, grapefruit, lemon verbena, Amalfi lemon and white peach; and the Tierra Fresca. A vibrant and spicy blend of Volcan Blanco Tequila, Jalapeño, Cucumber, Elderflower and Yuzu Soda.

With a distinguished career in the wine industry, Head Sommelier Joseph Pelosi showcases his knowledge and passion for uncovering hidden gems and premium pours from small estate producers and esteemed vineyards. Always thinking far beyond Italian grapes, from the rolling hills of Tuscany to the sun-kissed vineyards of Bordeaux - Pelosi’s wine list is niche and considered. Great care has been taken to ensure an innovative collection is available by the glass, carafe and bottle.

AN ILLUSTRIOUS PAST

A sanctuary in Holland Park, guests entering through the gates will spot Belvedere nestled between leafy trees and seasonal foliage. With floor-to-ceiling windows providing a cascade of natural light, the space is decked with plants and chandeliers, reminiscent of its glamorous past.

Dating back to 1638, Belvedere was originally a coach house and stables, designed by the architects behind the Covent Garden Piazza, Inigo Jones and Isaac de Caus, before being transformed into a glamorous ballroom in the 19th century. The venue drew in some of the era’s most prominent figures including Charles Dickens and William Wordsworth. Prior to becoming largely destroyed by the Blitz in 1939, the venue hosted a debutante ball inviting King George VI and Queen Elizabeth.

Fortunately, the ballroom survived and was later converted into a restaurant called ‘Belvedere’ – beautiful view in Italian – paying homage to the unique location with expansive views over Holland Park. With grand, Tuscan interiors, the space was officially relaunched in 2022 by George Bukhov-Weinstein and Ilya Demichev co-founders of Goodman, Wild Tavern, Wild and Wild Corner. Whilst remaining true to Belvedere’s centuries-old spirit of entertaining, George and Ilya created an all-day restaurant with warm hospitality and impeccably sourced and premium produce.

Working with esteemed architect studio, Archer Humphryes, the team designed a contemporary restaurant with an ethos of heritage at its core. Adopting a stripped-back approach, the designers removed some of the building’s previous finishes and fittings to reveal the beauty of the original brickwork. The team then formed a dramatic two-story dining room colonnade opening onto Holland Park to highlight its unique park location, before filling it with bespoke furniture, designed by the architect, and manufactured by family-run, Fratelli Boffi.

EVENTS AT BELVEDERE

Since the restaurant opened, the magic of the historical venue – with tall ceilings, remarkable architecture and its private Holland Park location – has made it a sought-after destination for weddings, events and parties alike.

Belvedere offers a multitude of versatile spaces throughout the restaurant. From the beautiful mezzanine, to the large balcony overlooking the park, and stylish main dining room with a cosy fireplace, the restaurant provides enough room to accommodate up to 120 guests standing and 70 seated to celebrate all important occasions.

Perfect for intimate gatherings, The Loggia is the private dining room overlooking the main restaurant through its Roman arches. The space is decked with paintings hung on terracotta walls, rustic wicker chairs and arabesque chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Torrino is located on the mezzanine, housing an exposed brick fireplace and a dedicated cocktail bar – the ideal setting for private cocktail parties and celebrations alike.

The full Belvedere events brochure can be found here.

For more information please contact melis@gemmabellandcompany.com