Les Deux Sil is everything I have been looking for in a local Italian restaurant. Of course, the quality of the food and drinks is excellent. This goes without saying and should be a minimum for anyone who is looking for a good meal.
However, what distinguishes Les Deux Sil for me is the genuine friendliness exuded by everyone at the restaurant. The owners are a truly lovely couple who treat everyone like they're being welcomed into their home (which in fact, you are, since they live above the restaurant). But their team do their work with real smiles on their faces. It feels like the waiters enjoy what they are doing and who they are working for very much. There is no saccharin-sweet artifices in this restaurant.
For regulars and friends, you are greeted with a kiss at the door and seated quickly. For new visitors, you're still welcomed warmly, but not yet with a kiss on the cheek! Daily specials are handwritten on personal chalkboards that are delivered to your table along with real Italian breadsticks. After your order is taken, you can expect typical European speed of service. You're not rushed at all and there is no push for you to finish quickly in order to cede your table to the next customers. The table is yours for the duration of the meal service (lunch or dinner), so you're welcomed to stay as long as you want. Of course, the varied options on the menu encourage this with delicious starters, main courses and desserts for food and aperitifs, wine coffees and digestifs for drinks.
Again, please do not confuse the speed of service with a lack of attention. This is not the Olive Garden (US) or Pizza Express (UK), but if you need to eat quickly to catch a movie or get home for the babysitter, be sure to let the staff know.
Speaking of the team, you will undoubtedly by greeted later at your table by the chef/owner in his tablier. Again, it's kisses and warm handshakes for the regulars and friends and a introduction and personal check on the quality of the food and service for the new visitors. The lunch clientele is very varied with retired couples taking advantage of the attractive lunch specials and the fact that they have no schedule to adhere to, businessmen and women on an extended lunch break with colleagues, groups of stay-at-home Moms out for a nice lunch together and even people alone on a lunch break.
If you come when it's nice weather, there is outdoor seating in the back garden of the restaurant including a play area for the children. This is typically Belgian to allow parents to enjoy their meal and drinks while letting the children run loose in the back when they can no longer sit still at the table. Families are very welcome at Les Deux Sils.
If you're only in Waterloo to visit the Battlefield and other monuments, you will find the restaurant less than a 5 minute walk from the Visitors Center (on the same road). Most people won't spend a full day at the Lion's Mound and Waterloo museum, but if you combine your visit with a meal at Les Deux Sils (lunch or dinner), you will have made your trip to Waterloo well-worth the time and effort. If you don't speak French or Italian, the owners and waiters speak enough English (and Dutch) to help you through the meal and feel just as welcome.
The restaurant is the epitome of what a small town Italian restaurant should be. It's warm, it's familiar, it's delicious and if you live here, they will make you want to become a regular! read more
