Bel Canto French Restaurant, London UK – Review

Best Romantic Dining and Entertainment by Opera Singing Waiters

Jun 9, 2009

Rossini and Risotto, Penne and Pucinni, Beef with Bizet: brilliant young opera students perform a feast of the best loved arias in between delicious courses at Bel Canto.

Romantic dining and divine singing are on the menu of the unique French restaurant Bel Canto in the heart of London's city in Mark Lane off Fenchurch Street. Here gifted young music students sing best loved Arias, duets, quartets and choruses and serve fine French food. Bel Canto is not just for opera buffs It is for all those who seek a romantic and enthralling evening and a unique dining and entertainment experience. A perfect place for birthday celebrations, anniversaries, wedding receptions and popping the question!

London's Most Romantic City Restaurant

Finding an intimate and glamourous "opera dinner" restaurant like Bel Canto, a romantic hideaway nestling beneath London's great financial institutions is a rare treasure that would even touch the soul and melt the heart of the most hard-edged Midas merchant were they to experience the beautiful singing, sensual atmosphere and appetizing food of this charming place where golden notes and not bullion are the currency.

The restaurant's decor is red and gold Bel-Epoque with opera costumes displayed on tailors dummies, spaciously placed tables with crisp white linen and in the centre a grand piano, its black lacquered casing perfect and polished shines in the sensually dark room with just enough light to read the menu and to flatter faces.

Opera Singing at Bel Canto Restaurant

Tatiana an elegant Russian beauty graciously glides the guests to their tables while the ubiquitous patron Jean-Paul Maurel watches like a proud father as his young singers perform an appetizer of Delibes' Flower duet from Lakme. A dark haired attracive young woman's sweet pure soprano mixes a heady cocktail with her pretty melifluous mezzo counterpart; their beautiful voices floating through the room as the diners listen spellbound .

Young Singers Serve the Menu at Bel Canto

Like Cinderellas after the ball the two singers revert to serving hors d'oevres of tender juicy asparagus with a light lemony hollandaise sauce and a crispy piquant Opera salad with pine nuts, sundried tomatoes and vinagrette dressing.

Eating intervals of fifteen minutes allow the excellent accompanist to take centre stage playing Chopin, Bach and Motzart while the singers serve.The complicated orchestration seems to happen effortlessly.Taking orders, preparing food, serving, removing plates and singing all finely synchronised for the diners pleasure.

Fine Wine and French Food

The main course choice of a tender beef fillet served with a marble sweet potato and betroot, peppercorn sauce is simple and succulent and the chosen wine a full bodied, fruity Chateau Ricaud 1 ere from the Cote de Bordeaux the excellent vintage 2005.

With the arrival of glasses of Prosecco the diners have their chance to chorus their enjoyment by la la la-ing to Verdi's Libiamo from La Traviata and raising a glass to this magical evening, then time for dessert: hot chocolate Fondant crispy on the outside with a delicious rich creamy centre; in perfect harmony with the tiny pot of sweet violet ice cream.

Diners Toast Top Singing Talent

A last ensemble performance of Offenbach's Barcarolle from TheTales of Hoffman signals that this scintillating and enjoyable evening is drawing to an end. The delighted diners, all smiles show their appreciation for these sensational young singers with heartfelt applause and if they so wish, a monetary token of their satisfaction in the glass fish bowl descreetly placed on the piano. Well deserved as It must be said that these performers are serious contendors for the world's finest opera houses.

Book Bel Canto Artists for Parties and Events

Antonina Maurel Jean-Paul's wife is the rigorous musical director of Bel Canto and she personally auditions all of the young singers and pianists. The London based company has more than fifty international artists mostly from the Guldhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music and they are available for both private and corporate bookings in the UK and abroad.

The Maurels who have two other Bel Canto Restaurants already famous in Paris see these establishments not only as a culinary enterprise but their dedicated passion. Suite 101 looks forward to returning for another wonderful evening.

The copyright of the article Bel Canto French Restaurant, London UK – Review in European Culinary Travel is owned by Nina Saville. Permission to republish Bel Canto French Restaurant, London UK – Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.