25. July 2014: Restaurace Bellevue

I already liked Prague a lot when I have been there the first time last year and found a couple of good restaurants – when I was done dining at the Restaurace Bellevue, Prague had climbed the ladder even more. I went for the “Tasting Menu” (1’990 CZK, approx. CHF 86.35) with the respective “Czech Wine Pairing” (1’090 CZK, approx. CHF 47.30) and I did not regret my decision.

It started off with crispy bread with butter and a bit of salt – nothing special yet. But before the actual dinner started a cold towel was brought to the table so you could wipe your hands and start clean into the dinner.

The kitchen decided to send a small “amuse bouche” which was consisting of “avocado mousse, prawns and gazpacho from strawberry and cherry tomato”. The combination was very interesting but the strawberry flaovur was overwhelmed by the cherry tomato flavour.

The first course of the menu was accompanied by the Czech wine “Pálava 2013, Petr Mokrusa” which had a nice sweetness – and fit perfeclty to the “foie gras terrine with seasonal berries, elder flower and brioche”. I love foie gras anyway but the combination with the berries and especially the elder flower jelly was absolutely amazing.

The next course was a “pan-fried sea scallop, sweet corn purée, Shiitake mushrooms, grapes, Cardinal sauce” accompanied by a “Chardonnay, 2012, Milan Sukal”. The scallop was not as good as the one I recently enjoyed in Porto at Restaurant O Paparico but it was tasty – and the Cardinal sauce was so rich I had to dip my bread into and wipe the plate clean.

The “Atlantic wild cod, saffron spaghetti, vongole, fava beans and chervil” accompanied by “Pinot Grigio, 2013, Vinarstvi Soman” was very tender and flavourful – but frankly speaking the spaghetti were somehow disappointing. My mom does better saffron spaghetti (she really does).

One more course was served accompanied by a “Merlot, 2010, Springer” which fit very well with the “roasted fillet of veal, white root vegetable purée, potato fondant, forest mushroom sauce”. The sauce was very flavourful and veal was aromatic – simply seasoned with a bit of salt.

The next course was a little inbetweener – “apple sorbet with celery, purée” which was somehow surprising because it had the very basic taste of celery while having the sweetness of an apple sorbet – definitely a good break before dessert.

I am definitely not a chocolate person – but the “Valrhona “Araquani” chocolate Cremeux, caramel, banana ice cream, sweet popcorn” accompanied by “Lokus Cerveny, 2011, Vinarsky Dvur” was definitely rich. I generally do not even like popcorn but the taste was very decent and fit very well with the chocolate.

Frankly, the food was absolutely delicious – I can recommend you to go to the Restaurant Bellevue for the food. But not only that, also the view on the castle in Prague is exquisite and when I asked the waiter (Martin) for a white port (which I had overhead at the table behind me) (CZK 100, approx. CHF 4.35) I was brought it and he explained that they were created to draw young people to port which I have not been able to confirm. But not only Martin did a good job, also Karel who was responsible for the white wines was passionate about his job. Only in the very end when I had spent already more than two hours at the premise I had to refill my water glass (0,75L water, 140 CZK, approx. CHF 6.10) by my own.

However, there were a couple of flaws – and some of them quite major. I had booked the table for two originally, but then went by myself. As the reception lady realized that I will be alone I was placed at a table which was basically facing a wall. I understand that you have couples to which you want to provide a great view but a table facing a wall? Really? Secondly, throughout the dinner I asked one of the waiters (none of the above) if he could figure out where the restaurant bought the cutlery (Gelo Inox), respectively if they had bought it locally. He promised to clarify and get back to me – which he did not. And when I was looking for him he was gone. Not really customer-oriented.

Besides that the place is lovely – not only from the (in my case theoretical) view but also from the interior.

Overall, dining at the Restaurace Bellevue is definitely something recommendable – make sure you book for two at least and ask for a table on the balcony (in summer), then you will not be disappointed. The food is great, the service is – mostly – great, and the prices are very fair.

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Contact Details:

Restaurace Bellevue

Smetanovo Nábřeží 329/18

110 00 Prague (CZ)

Tel.: +420 222 221 443

Fax: +420 227 077 972

E-Mail: bellevue@zatisigroup.cz

Homepage: http://www.bellevuerestaurant.cz

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.