Review on Aqua Blackheath
Formerly the Bella Vista Cucina Italiana, it has now morphed into the Aqua Mediterranean Bar & Grill, part of a small group of restaurants with siblings in Croydon, Banstead, Surrey and Bromley, Kent. Occupying a smart glass double frontage building on bustling Montpelier Vale in Blackheath, it is proving to be a welcome culinary addition to the village serving Greek, Italian and modern Mediterranean dishes. The walls are lined with chic cream leather banquette seating and dark wood tables are set on modern flooring. The concept is the the brainchild of Dasos Charalambous and Dario Nardo, who have both trained and worked in some of London's top hotels.
There's an extensive menu that is sure to please all-comers with starters in the shape of deep fried calamari served with mixed leaves and tartare sauce or Cypriot meatballs with a tomato chilli, basil sauce and herb crostini. Amongst the main courses you could choose spaghetti with Alaskan King crab, spring onions, garlic, chilli, cherry tomatoes and olive oil or meat lovers will enjoy the sirloin steak cooked over the open flame grill served with chunky chips, roasted vine cherry tomatoes, rocket and béarnaise sauce. Elewhere there's house specialities such as slow braised pork belly with balsamic roasted peppers, roasted new potato and port jus or the chargrilled mixed fish platter is a popular choice with a selection of sea bass, salmon, tiger prawns, sardine and swordfish paired with vegetable rice and mixed leaf salad. When it comes to desserts there's a traditional English sticky date and toffee pudding or you might opt for Baklava, a Greek pastry filled with pistachio and honey.
The wine list offers a selection of fine Italian labels alongside new world wines and established favourites, together with a tasty cocktail menu.
Cuisine
Mediterranean
Chef
Dasos Charalambos
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 5.00pm
Dinner: 5.30 - 10.30pm
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card