Bellota dinner party showcases an extraordinary private wine cellar

You’d forgive Bellota for resting on its laurels. For the food being an afterthought, when the wine list extends to thousands of bottles courtesy of neighbouring Prince Wine Store. But while this is food made for drinking, these plates are no postscript.

Duck rillettes are juicy and meaty, balanced on crisp crostini with sweet quince and pickled radish for contrast. Grilled rainbow trout flakes apart, doused in a thick tarragon butter punctuated with salty capers. Chocolate cake is a study in fudgy bitterness, paired with syrupy grapefruit and thick mascarpone.

Staff are warm and knowledgeable, happy to chat through more obscure grapes or refill bread baskets when sauces are in need of a vehicle. Make like a local and settle into this spacious terrace building for another glass.

Good to know: BYO is a steal at $15.

Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant can’t pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.

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