Bellita, Bristol restaurant review

It’s pretty early to have decided on my New Year’s resolution for 2016. But, my mind is made up.

I’m not going to lose half a stone or run a 10k - I’m going to eat more food at restaurants in Bristol.

The number of places I want to visit in Brizzle is now so out of control that it’s time to take action.

A couple of weeks ago, I managed to tick Bellita of the list.

The recently opened younger sibling of the legendary Bell’s Diner serves a menu of small plates inspired by Spain and North Africa amongst other influences.

Huge meaty gordal olives (£3) and a pair of cockle warming aperitifs kicked us off. 

 
In each drink, the punch of booze was tempered by the presence of a homemade fruit syrup - The Bellita (£6) with Chase Seville orange gin and raspberry, thyme and black pepper cordial and The Greengage and Irish (£5) with whiskey and greengage and ginger syrup. 

 
Golden potato and parmesan fritters (£3) were filled with a supremely light and smooth potato filling and topped with shavings of savoury cheese. 

Artichoke, chicory, pear and manchego salad (£6.50) was flecked with crisp almonds. The top drawer ingredients were however muted by the overpowering flavour of truffle oil. 

Golden mackerel fillets (£6.50) were topped with shavings of warming horseradish. They were accompanied by a dill fragranced slaw which balanced the richness of the oily fish. 

A delightfully smokey flame-licked chicken pincho (£6) was accompanied by an awesome duo - spicy harissa and soothing yoghurt. 

Rolled lamb breast (£10) was the standout of the evening - crisp, fatty, deep-flavoured lamb was paired with cavalo nero coated in immensely savoury anchovy butter. I licked the plate clean. 

Next up was a pretty dish of pork cheeks (£12) served with the aromatic funk of wild fungi, fragrant deep-fried sage leaves, silky cauliflower puree and a sticky, meaty pedro ximinez sauce. The only minor drawback was the meat itself which lacked a little in tenderness. 

Cubes of fried potato (£2.50) were hyper crisp, hyper fluffy and hyper delicious. They were joined by potent aioli and herby mojo verde sauce.

For dessert, a scoop of creamy homemade ice cream (£2.50) skilfully balanced the intense flavours of rosewater and cardamom. 

A slice of rich and gooey chocolate torte (£6.50) was paired with salted caramel sauce and a dollop of mascarpone. 

Dinner at Bellita was lovely - it’s exactly the kind of place where I could while away an evening boozing and snacking. Here's to a lot more Bristol eating in 2016. 

The Details:

Address - Bellita, 34 Cotham Hill, Bristol BS6 6LA
Web - bellita.co.uk

Telephone - (0117) 923 8755