Absolutely fabulous 3-hour lunch…read more
This is the only Michelin 1-star restaurant we visited during our week's holiday in Flanders and Holland. Our last European 1-star experience was quite disappointing. This was the opposite - it was perfect. It was what one should expect from such a well regarded restaurant.
It started with the excellent and welcoming service. Not everyone could help us in English, but whenever it was an issue someone showed up who could help. The meal was never rushed, but never slow. We expected it to take a while, and it did. The portions on the tasting menu were all generous enough so that we could have more than the one sample-size bite I dislike in many tasting menu restaurants. And the wine ordered as pairing with the food kept getting refilled! That was great, although I had to slow them down since I was driving yet that afternoon.
I won't cover the whole menu, but rather give a sampling. A restaurant this good doesn't need my oohs and aahs about every course. We started with a mint bread with a cheesy and nutty pate. An early course was white Belgian asparagus with peas and small boiled egg yolks. Paired with a great white Bordeaux. One of the main courses was plaice, a North Sea fish which needs to be served fresh to be tasty. That it was, as tender and tasty as a Dover sole. Finishing with lots of desserts to pick from as well as a tray of Belgian chocolates.
The décor was very modern and open, with tables well spaced. Again everything was perfect. We drove most of an hour just to get to this restaurant. I would recommend everyone consider this a destination restaurant, worthy of a long drive.
