Bel-Air opens third London Site at The Cheesegrater – Leadenhall Building
Bel-Air, Feel Good Fast Food opens a third branch in London’s iconic Leadenhall Building, aka ‘the Cheesegrater’.
Bringing a slice of Californian sunshine to The City, Bel-Air aspires to be London’s favourite takeout joint with expert baristas, locally roasted Ozone coffee and in-house juices served alongside Bel-Air’s fresh seasonal breakfast & lunches.
After a stint living in LA, Founder Andrew Bredon returned to the UK with the ambition of bringing a slice of the Californian way of life to London, and the idea for Bel-Air was born.
“LA is my kind of town, embodying everything I love, sun, surf, fresh food underpinned by phenomenal produce. At Bel-Air we’re about everything in moderation, including moderation, and we’re very excited to be bringing a new concept into the heart of The City.”
This mantra is obvious from the abundant salad displays facing customers as they enter the store. Huge bowls overflowing with this season’s salads like “The Summer Baller” (Orzo, parmesan, peas, champagne truffle dressing, chervil, baby spinach, pea shoots) and “The Asian Rainbow” (Cabbage, carrots, pak choi, spring onions, peanuts, raisins, ginger soy dressing) sit amongst appetising displays of grilled meat and fish. Salad boxes can also be ‘pimped’ with veggie and vegan options including Roasted Aubergine with Tahini, Tamari & Mint or Oregano Baked Feta. Generous salads are accompanied by a selection of dishes “From the Kitchen” The Beef Taco Bowl on a bed of green rice with lime soya yoghurt, crushed avo and pink onions is a highlight not to be missed. Open from 7am, customers looking for the perfect way to kick start their day can pick from a range of ‘Bel-Air Cali Open Toasts,’ Porridges, or a ‘Bacon Avo Bowl,’ two Burford Brown poached eggs, smoked streaky bacon, hemp hash brown & harissa yoghurt.
With Bel-Air’s third London store they introduce ‘Palm Life’. Palm Life takes Bel-Air from fresh breakfasts and sunny salads to sundowners and sharing plates. Cocktails and craft beer are complimented by classic Californian snacks – available from 5pm. The cocktail menu is developed in collaboration with East London Liquor Company and Bel-Air Head Chef Emilie Fuller riffs off the laid back Cali vibe with cocktails like “The Rye-Fresher” Sonoma Rye, Akashi Tai Yuzu Sake, Ginger Ale or “The Black Branca” with Rum, Black Currant Jam, Guava & Lime Juice, Fernet Branca and Soda. All cocktails are available at £9 or less and craft beers on tap are £4 for a schooner. The food in the evening sees Bel-Air elevating classic LA street food favourites Tacos & “Dogs” such as the Bel-Air Beef Hot Dog with Gochujang, Spring Onion, Cucumbers, Kimchi and Crispy Bacon and the ‘Vegan Frank’ with Avocado Chipotle Ketchup, Chili Corn & Pink Pickled Onions. The whole venue, including the ‘Palm Life’ cocktail bar is available for private events, evenings and weekends for up to 150 people.
Set over two floors, this is the most ambitious project so far for Bel-Air, which was launched from a converted sandwich shop in Shoreditch in 2015 and opened it’s second store, in Farringdon, January earlier this year. Bel-Air is all about sunshine, with its Californian inspired all-day menu, packed with flavour and the best seasonal whole foods and produce. Bel-Air’s clean aesthetic mixes laid back LA style with modern international eating. Whether sitting-in or grabbing a quick bite on-the-go, Bel-Air stays true to its Feel Good Fast Food tagline.