I recently visited Bottarga - the newest restaurant opening from the popular Pachamama group. They now have 4 restaurants - Pachamama in Marylebone inspired by Peruvian cuisine, Pachamama East in Shoreditch which explores the Asian flavours in Peruvian cuisine, Zephyr in Notting Hill which offers casual Greek-inspired dining, and Bottarga - where I went - in Chelsea. They also used to have Chicama in Chelsea but that's now closed, and they've got "Naked & Famous" Agave Bar which is a cocktail bar situtated under Zephyr on Portobello Road
If you recognise the word "Bottarga" it's because it's actually an Italian pasta dish, made with salted, pressed and dried fish roe. In keeping with it's name, Bottarga is a Mediterranean restaurant, inspired especially by the Aegean islands. Their website mentions Bottarga having an emphasis on "indulging in dessert" - so of course, that suits me down to the ground!
When we went the restaurant was candle lit, and the staff really stood out as being so nice. They serve small mezze plates which are great for sharing, and delicious grilled fish dishes such as the whole grilled sea bass. Many of the savoury dishes were served on ornate silver platters, with the candles in traditional silver candlesticks, and we were sat to a marble counter looking into the kitchen.
Sitting to the counter was actually really lovely as I could see the chefs cooking and grilling, and the bartender mixing amazing cocktails.
My favourite dishes included the pita bread, the spicy feta and red pepper spread, the bottarga orzo, whole grilled sea bass - and of course, the salted caramel tart. You can read the star reviews I gave these and other dishes on my Instagram reel.
I really enjoyed my visit to Bottarga, and even though the food didn't blow me away I'd go again because of the great atmosphere and lovely staff.
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