First of all you need to know that "Le Zoute" is like the Belgian version of Pebble Beach. Complete…read morewith classic car concours and rally, a beautiful golf course near the North Sea dunes, incredible real estate and Carmel like shopping. It never disappoints. And gastronomy is not missing out either. Take La Sapinière, a pearl in the town square of old town Le Zoute. Eef(je) van der Ven is the owner. Like every successful restaurant, if it's open, Eef is there. The food is Belgian, local of course with a touch of French. No nonsense high quality ingredients, honest and refined. No "nouvelle cuisine" (I hate). Mussels, lobster, white asperges, fresh North sea fish like Sole etc.
Please try the shrimp croquettes, please, please do! This place does not disappoint, ever, full stop.
You can sit inside in the "brown café" on nicely covered tables, at the cosy bar or in the Jardin (patio) outside. Whilst enjoying a glass of bubbles, a great G&T or a cool Rosé, Eef and his staff will entertain you, in spite of being very, very busy. They are not pretentious, they are cool, sweet and honest, like the place itself. Yelp is not yet so much used in Belgium, hence the lack of reviews but trust me, give it a try. In the evening the sun lights up the town square with Van Gogh like colors, take your drink outside and enjoy the sun set.
