De Pepermolen (The Peppermill) was an unexpected splurge for us after our train back to Brussels got stuck and returned to Bruges, and then the restaurant where we were looking to dine was closed. Your options start at 28 euro for just a main; far more efficient to add on a starter for 36 euro total. Although prices are steep, the ingredients used are luxurious, from duck to Iberico ham.
When we showed up around 7 pm on a weeknight, we were the only guests; by the time we left an hour and a bit later, there were five or six other tables of diners, middle aged or older. The decor is inoffensively nice, with white tablecloths and good lighting. Service was good, as was pacing.
Among our group, I don't think we had a single bad dish-- the meats were all handled well. My salmon tartare was cool and refreshing with a yogurt sauce; the duck paired well with cooked peaches. Plating was contemporary but not wild.
It was a like, not a love, as nothing here was super original, but no big complaints on the execution. Just not exciting to me as a jaded New Yorker. However, if you're looking for an upscale meal in Bruges, this will certainly fit the bill. read more