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2015-01-07
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I have been looking for some weeks now for my favourite Italian-inspired eatery in Wan Chai. This week I decided to try Bellaria, as I have seen it during the day and thought it looked promising. It was around 7pm on a Tuesday so I didn't expect to have to wait for a table and true enough, I was ushered straight in and offered a table, not right in the window and not right at the back by the washrooms, which was nice. The waiter was very friendly and attentive. When choosing an accompanying beer
It was around 7pm on a Tuesday so I didn't expect to have to wait for a table and true enough, I was ushered straight in and offered a table, not right in the window and not right at the back by the washrooms, which was nice.
The waiter was very friendly and attentive. When choosing an accompanying beer (yes, I am that classy) he recommended a couple from their small but unusual and interesting selection. When I asked if his first choice was strong he chuckled and said that it was pretty punchy. I decided on a boring, lower ABV bottled lager, which I won't name for fear of shaming myself and losing any credence I may have as a food and drink reviewer.
I went for a classic 70's starter of prosciutto ham and melon. I'm not too snobbish to admit that I have always loved this plate and nothing this evening swayed me from this way of thinking.
We must all agree that few things in life can turn a nice evening into a Dante-esque picture of Hell faster than under ripe melon with your starter. I am delighted to say that the melon was beautifully ripe and full of musky juiciness and the ham was fine but unremarkable. (My persuasion is towards Spanish hams as a rule of thumb, sorry.)
For my main course I went for Penne Al Salmone. Penne pasta with salmon, baby asparagus and a light tomato sauce with a hint of cream. I dont like my pasta dishes to be too heavily sauced and this was, for me, just right. The tomatoes had a nice acidity which was cut through with the hint of cream. Basil perfumed the whole plate subtlely and the salmon was a mix of small flakes and larger pieces, all of which were soft, moist and well flavoured. The baby asaragus was largely made up of the stems, I guess the spears were being held back for another dish, but they were fine and cooked with still a little bite to them.
I steered clear of dessert for no other reason than it is early January and I am still at that, must try to look after myself a little better phase.
The bill came to $270 and change. I thought that $88 was a tad steep for six pieces of melon and prosciutto with a small dressed salad, but hey, this is Wan Chai.
So, is this my new favourite Italian in Wan Chai? Maybe not, but that shouldn't disuade you from trying it. I liked it, perhaps you will too.
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