Belly will open on May 8th at 157 Kentish Town Road – blending modern Filipino and European flavours, it will be a bistro centred around wood fired cooking with great food and ambience at its core.
An experienced operator, Omar Shah and family have been running restaurants for over two decades. Brought up in Kentish Town and of Filipino and Bangladeshi descent, all of Omar’s venues reflect his love of world food with Asia at their core. Be it Ramo Ramen, in Soho which is centred on Filipino style Ramen, or Mamasons Dirty (Filipino) ice cream in both China Town and Kentish Town, or his co-founded Modern Filipino restaurant, Donia in Soho, there is no doubt that Omar is behind some of London’s most innovative eating experiences and with the imminent opening of Belly, he is showing no sign of slowing down.
Never one to standstill, Omar wanted Belly to be a new kind of Bistro where brave cooking and a bold blend of seasonal ingredients creates a menu that is both simple and unique. All dishes have been tailored to pair with Belly’s handpicked and growing selection of global wines, available by the glass or bottle, and the team at Bellyhas made it their mission to re-introduce bistro charm to Kentish Town.
To start, French classics such as Steak Tartar are given an Asian twist courtesy of Cured Yolk and Nori Seasoned Crisps. Alternatively, for those craving something fishy eclectic options include Diver Scallops cured and warmed through with a Malt Vinegar & Fermented Shrimp Coconut Sauce or Pandesal Cod Tempura Slider with Ikura Tartar (freshly baked in Belly’s neighbouring bakery and sister Cafe Mama & Sons). Main courses centred around wood fired specialties include Wood Fired Wagyu Picanha with Peppercorn & Liver Sauce, Oak-Smoked Tinola Chicken with Caper, Ginger and Coriander Salsa Verde and Filipino inspired Beurre Blanc as well as Wood Smoked Sticky Tamarind Lamb Ribs. Likewise, sides including Kombu Butter and Coconut Vinegar Wood-Fired Potatos or Beef Fat Fries with a house made Sriracha Th0usand Island dipping sauce ensure all the classics are covered – albeit with a dash of Belly Zing. An eclectic finish includes Frozen Custard Profiterole with Fish Sauce Caramel as well as Coconut Pie with Chantilly Cream.
An intimate 35-seater room, Belly is a genial space where bistro style tables dressed in clean white tablecloths are surrounded with bent wood chairs. A sheer curtained window gives way to plenty of natural light, and as the day darkens, candlelight provides a quintessential bistro ambience.
A bistro like no other, like all of Omar’s restaurants, Belly leads where others may follow – cleverly combining the atmosphere and welcome of an ultimate neighborhood restaurant with the excitement and surprise of a menu that will leave you wanting more.
