A husband and wife duo have opened a relaxed fine dining chef’s table in Bury St Edmunds. The pair want their new venture, Bellota, to foster open conversations, curiosity about food and an interactive experience.
Head chef Ruben Aguilar Bel and his wife Gabi Fogarasi, who takes on the role of pastry chef, specialise in refined, elevated cuisine. With guests seated around an open kitchen, there’s no room for hiding and that’s exactly what Ruben and Gabi want. The back kitchen is deliberately on full display to show guests the behind-the-scenes. They have also removed service charges and tipping policies to reinforce their belief that hospitality is weaved into everything they do. Belotta is more than a restaurant, it’s an experience where guests are encouraged to ask questions and share stories. In return, the service, which is provided by Ruben and Gabi themselves, is personal, natural and welcoming.
Belotta’s menu is split across a range of set menus, with four courses costing £55, six costing £72 and eight costing £85. A vegetarian menu is also available with forty-eight hours notice. The tasting menus are the way to go for the full experience but guests can also opt for a selection of small plates from the a la carte menu. These include homemade sourdough bread and butter which comes wrapped in a brown linen cloth as well as hand carved Iberian ham, potato salad and Suffolk coast brown crab toast. Over on the tasting menu, guests can expect charcoal grilled rabbit with giroles and wild bass with romesco sauce and green asparagus. If you choose the long tasting menu, dessert is split across three courses including a passion fruit brûlée and a black olive bonbon.
For fine dining with genuine hospitality, reserve a spot at Bellota’s counter.