Parisian style comes to Islington
Inspired by the original Alsatian brasseries of Paris, Bellanger, in Islington Green, London, is a classic Brasserie has just opened.
This relaxed, all-day, traditional French restaurant has been created by celebrated restaurateurs Chris Corbin and Jeremy King – the team behind The Wolseley and Brasserie Zédel.
Main contractors for the project to create the new venue were WFC Contractors.
Bellanger is open seven days a week, mid-morning until late, whether for breakfast, a simple cup of coffee with cake or a ‘grand repas’ of escargots a l’Alsacienne, tartes flambées, choucroute garni and Gugelhupf ice-cream.
Corbin and King’s first restaurant outside of central London, the 200-seater venue is named after 1920s French car manufacturer Société des Automobiles Bellanger Frères.
Designed by Shayne Brady of Brady Williams, the restaurant incorporates three architecturally resolved rooms, all in a light, handsome, Belle Époque style.
The Front Room features large, fold-back windows looking out onto the Green. A long bar, with high bar stool seating and standing room, leads to the intimate, carpeted Upper Room.
Warm, glossy wood panelling, bevelled mirror detailing, specifically sourced antique wall lamps and chandeliers, ornate plaster work with customised motif and beading figure throughout, with woven blue banquettes and traditional rush-backed seating.
The venue can accommodate 195 inside plus 24 on the outside terrace. There is also a semi-private dining table set within an alcove for up to eight people
Seating includes booths all down one side, plus 10 seats for counter dining and a large dining room towards the rear of the interior.
Led by head chef Lee Ward, the restaurant is principally French-based, with a focus on the wines of North Eastern France and the border region with Germany. Typical dishes include, choucroute, baeckoff, coq au Riesling, soups, salads, seafood, plats du jour and a number of sharing dishes.
A notable selection of wines by the glass is served, as well as traditional dark and blonde Alsace-Lorraine beers on tap, including a range of monastic beers.
Chris Corbin and Jeremy King have been partners in business for over 30 years. During that time they have created some of London’s most iconic and best-loved restaurants and have contributed a significant chapter to London’s restaurant history.
Corbin & KIng (formerly Rex Restaurant Associates until January 2014) was created to manage the future expansion of the company’s interests and to focus on new opportunities in London and abroad, as well as manage the existing portfolio.
This includes The Delaunay in London’s Aldwych (December 2011), Brasserie Zédel in Sherwood Street (June 2012), Colbert on Sloane Square (October 2012), Fischer’s on Marylebone High Street (Spring 2014), their first hotel, The Beaumont in Mayfair (September 2014) and finally the new Bellanger in Islington (spring 2016).
Noble Russell
One of Noble Russell’s latest projects ‘Bellanger’ opened last year on Islington Green. Designed by BradyWilliams, for acclaimed restaurateurs Corbin & King this has been a fantastic project for Noble Russell to have been involved in. Bellanger continues Noble Russell’s ongoing association with Corbin & King having previously worked on Fischer’s, Cafe Colbert, The Wolseley and Brasserie Zedel.
Inspired by the original Alsatian brasseries of Paris, Shayne Brady of BradyWilliams has designed a beautiful yet relaxed all-day, traditional French restaurant which is an excellent addition to Corbin & King’s list of iconic London restaurants.
Noble Russell developed and manufactured over fifty bespoke tables for this project. Table tops were provided in a mixture of oval, horseshoe and rectangular shapes, and are finished with a bespoke laminate central panel, they have been stained and high gloss lacquered with a solid sapele edge lipping, they all stand on cast metal continental bases. In addition to the tables, ten upholstered bar stools with brass details were specially adapted for the counter dining area.
The completed Noble Russell furniture truly complements this stylish new restaurant designed by BradyWilliams and is destined to be the next place to be seen in Islington.
More information on Noble Russell can be seen on their website: noblerussell.co.uk.
