One of Waterford’s finest restaurants turns 20 years old; Bellissimo Restaurant on the Dunmore Road is celebrating 20 years serving the people of Waterford and beyond this week.
Proprietor Tony McMahon says business today is a lot different to the year that we originally opened in the year 2000. The restaurant has grown and evolved through the years from the initial restaurant location in the courtyard at the Dunmore Road Business Centre to move to the corner unit to add additional space to having a custom-built New York style loft restaurant built in the perfect location at the epi-centre of Ardkeen. Now two decades on Tony has grown his team and a loyal customer base over these years and is very grateful to both.
Tony says, “We are delighted to celebrate 20 years in business when we first opened in the year 2000 business was certainly very different to how we are operating today. Certain elements have remained steadfast, these include our commitment to local suppliers, celebrating great seasonal ingredients and excellent customer service. However operating a restaurant through lunch, dinner and a click and collect service is certainly being done differently right now. We have put all of the measures required in place and have gone above and beyond in aspects and achieved out Failte Ireland COVID Safety Charter.”
“We are very lucky to have built a very loyal customer base over the last 20 years and we are always thrilled to keep that strong following by refreshing our menus each season and endeavouring to keep up with the constant changes and developments in the food world. We are constantly looking for improvements, trying to ensure that a great dining experience is the end result of each and every customer visit. So it’s so far so good and it always brings a smile to our faces when we see customers that were once children arriving into our restaurant some years back, bringing their own kids in now.”
As far as the future goes, Tony says “We are certainly chartering unprecedented waters right now but we have worked through many challenges over the years including the last recession and we are hopeful for the future.”
Tony is also very proud to celebrate the huge growth in the food supplier offering in Waterford over the last two decades, saying, “We really have some incredible local food producers on our doorstep and Waterford in certainly making a name for itself as a food destination, we are very proud of this and are delighted to be part of the Deise culinary scene.”
To celebrate 20 years in business Bellissimo is holding a customer appreciation week at the restaurant from August 25th to 31st with customer tables being randomly rewarded on a lucky dip basis – from Kids Eat for Free, a 10% voucher for your next online order and even enjoy a Free Blue Butterfly Coffee on Bellissimo over the weekend (29th & 30th) by just dropping by and saying ‘hello’. To all of the loyal customers who enjoy Bellissimo@Home, they can enjoy 5% off orders up to €60 online and 10% off orders over €60 online. For details and for reservations call 051 879 178 or see https://www.bellissimo-waterford.com/
Local suppliers:
Bellissimo is proud to work with a host of local suppliers with local produce featuring throughout each menu; from billy Burke Seafood to Ballbeg Geens and Tom Cleary Veg to Duncannon Smokehouse, Dawn Pork and Bacon, CJ O’Loughlin and Gubeen Meats.
Menu details:
On the Evening Menu: Starters range from €6 to €10 with a choice of 8 starters including:
Risotto, Porcini Mushroom, Parmesan Cheese, Truffle Oil (V) 8
Chicken Liver Pâté, Onion Compote, Toasted Brioche 9
Black Pudding, Celeriac Rémoulade, kohlrabi, Apple Compote 7
Soup du Jour 6
Bruschetta | Ciabatta, Basil Pesto, Tomatoes, Red Onion Mozzarella Cheese (V) 6
Beetroot Carpaccio, Seasonal Green Leaves and a Horseradish Cream (V) 8
Duncannon Smoked Haddock Fishcakes, Lemon & Saffron Aioli, Pickled Rainbow Carrots 9
Salt & Pepper Calamari, Courgette Frito, Lemon Aioli 10
Mains range from €20 to €30
Panfried Hake, Cauliflower Puree, Market Vegetables, Herb Salad, Fennel Veloute 27
Jacobs Ladder – Slow Cooked Short Rib of Irish Beef, Celeriac Puree, Leeks, Parsley, Caper, & Shallot garnish, Red Wine Jus 28
Chargrilled Pork Fillet Bacon and Honey Croquette Potatoes, Cauliflower, Apple & Petit Pois puree, Crisped Apple, Pork Jus 26
Lamb Shank, Braised with Port & Rosemary, Broccoli, Beetroot Bonbon, Creamed Potato, Lamb Jus 27
10oz Sirloin Steak Certified Hereford, Confit Shallot, Mushroom Duxelle, Flat Mushroom Peppered Cream Sauce 30
Sweet Potato Rosti, Kale, Butternut Squash, Feta Cheese, Red Onion Marmalade, Basil Pesto, , Courgette Fritters, Watercress salad Ⓥ 22
Linguini Pasta Smoked Haddock, Prawns, Dill, Shallots, Lemon Cream 21
Pollo alla Parmigiana –Tagliatelle Pasta in a Basil Cream Sauce, chargrilled Chicken Fillet, garlic, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, Red Onion and Mushroom. 20
Arrabiata con Pollo – Tagliatelle Pasta, Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables, Mild Spicy Tomato sauce, Chargrilled Chicken Fillet 20
Buffallo – Mozzarella, Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables, Basil Pesto, Blackened Chicken Breast with house Mozzarella Cheese and Tomato topping 20
Terroso – Smoked Scamorza Cheese, Roasted Datterini Tomato, Aubergine, Basil Pesto, Olives, Herbs (V) 20
The Dessert selection ranges in price from €7 to €10
White Chocolate Pannacotta, Pistachio & Orange Veloute, Pistachio Biscotti 9
Chocolate Fondant ~ Blackcurrant Puree, Vanilla Ice-Cream & Hazelnut Crumb 10
Orange & Cinnamon Cheesecake, Citrus Teuille 8
Classic Crème Brulee and Sable Biscuit 7
Warm Chocolate Cake ~ Butterscotch Sauce, Vanilla Ice-Cream 7
Selection of Artisan Ice-Cream 7
Image:
Proprietor Tony McMahon celebrates 20 years of Bellissimo Restaurant on the Dunmore Road in Waterford City.