Team Eat

Team EAT (our group of 6 food friends) got out to Un Jour à Peyrassol in Brussels in January… although we were only 5 of the original group of 6.

source: their website

Situated just off Place Chatelain in Ixelles & offering Valet parking – it really can’t be missed.

What I would describe as a French inspired Italian restaurant… I know… 2 different countries, right? But the menu is definitely Mediterranean on the Italian front – with southern specialties (i.e. lemon Veal/ escalope au citron) along with homemade pastas (linguine with seafood, gnocchi, etc) – plus they have a whole section of the menu dedicated to truffles (which was a bit “rich” for my blood… even though I adore truffles – I really can’t justify 40€ for a truffle risotto).

While the decor is just a bit on the “french bistro” side (in my opinion) and of course, we started the evening off with house wine from their estate (yes – they have an estate in Provence (ah, France! go figure!) … with wines, olives & …. their truffles)… which was truly delicious. But definitely did not fall into the House wine price category at 38€ a bottle.

Nibbles were placed on the table while we reviewed the menu to make our choices – thinly sliced toasted bread either topped with a tuna/tomato paté or with aubergine caviar – both were very tasty….

We arrived just after 8pm to a “half-full’ restaurant – and placed our orders for both starters & mains by 8.30pm latest… but waited over an hour for the food to finally arrive. I had even commented while we were placing the orders that the fact that the waiters placed the orders directly onto a hand-held palm pilot type of device meant that the kitchen got the orders instantly – *sigh* this must have jinxed it! Plus our poor waitress was in a complete panic – rushing from kitchen to tables to bar area in a rush… while her fellow staff members all stood around the bar chatting.

Originally 3 of us ordered the Tempura stuffed courgette flowers – but one of the waiters appeared about 10min later to tell us that there was only 1 portion left… so G changed his order to “mussels” while I ordered the Calamari (with garlic, olive oil & red peppers), Angela & Mr Draper both had opted for the Mille Feuilles of aubergine, smoked provola & red tomatoes.

All starters were excellent (when they arrived after 9.30pm) except maybe the tempura stuffed courgette flowers… and ranged in price from 14-17€ (somewhat pricey perhaps…)

For mains – Mr Draper & I both went for the Escalope au citron (18€) served with a bowl of spaghetti – really & truly excellent flavours… the perfect amount of lemon… truly & utterly delicious (I have no more words….)

While Sas & Angela both ordered the Bar fish (Bass) which was done with salt & herbs of Provence (18€) – looked & tasted great – but had a fair amount of bones which they both spent a good portion of the evening removing from their mouth!

Would I return? Good question… the food is out of this world in terms of excellence – but reflecting back on the evening – it worked out to about 70€ each – wine, water, starter & main course – and although the food really was out of this world, it was still simple & for that sort of pricing… a bit on the steep side. If the pricing was a bit more reasonable – I would definitely return.

Un Jour à Peyrassol

address: 76, rue de l’Aqueduc, Ixelles, 1050, Brussels, BELGIUM

telephone: +32 2 539 3299

website: http://www.unjourapeyrassol.com

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 12h00 – 19h00 & Sunday from 11h00 to 16h00

A few years ago – we had a supper club on a Sunday night… meeting & eating at 5/6pm at each others homes… Sadly, this died as people’s lives changed & getting a regular sunday night get together into our diaries became a bit difficult (especially when someone actually had to spend most of the day in the kitchen whipping something together)

Recently – we started a new “supper club” which we have aptly named “TEAM EAT“…. with 6 of us trying out NEW (for us) restaurants in Brussels. Our first get together was for a birthday – at SOUL, which is a bio restaurant (and promised no cream or butter – be still my heart!!!!!!) – and we had so much fun, that the concept was “re-born”.

This time – we all clapped our hands in glee to try out the well-known “Mushroom” restaurant called Cafe Des Spores!

Situated in Saint-Gilles near the beautiful commune building (and very near the Lombardie stop for tram 81 users – like me :)) – it falls into the “easy to access” category for me (an Ixelles dweller).

A small, cosy feel inside with a direct line of sight into the kitchen, (and trust me when I tell you that I love being able to see into a Kitchen…) it also offers more intimate dining space upstairs (mezzanine balcony space that overlooks the centre of the restaurant) – but we sat at a table of 6 directly opposite the open-kitchen.

Amazingly friendly staff – really…..

The concept is pretty simple – there are 4 courses (Entrée; Main/Plat; Cheese/Fromage & Dessert) and depending on the combination you choose, determines the price

Entrée & Main or Entrée & Dessert = 25€
Main & Cheese = 27€
Entrée, Main & Dessert = 30€
Entrée, Main & Cheese = 32€
All 4 = 37€

Now, thankfully you don’t need to decide straight away how many courses you plan to eat… as they come around between each course to see how many people are ordering the next offering…. (obviously entrée & main courses are placed at the start). Another important note to remember is that the menu changes based on seasonality, etc… and what was seen on their website did not reflect the menu on the actual night.

Once the drinks have been ordered (without trying to sound negative – I do want to point out that their drinks list is on the expensive side – with the most reasonably priced decent red wine costing 44€ a bottle) & our entrée/main courses documented… we were served a little amuse bouche (taster)… DELICIOUS (but was also served without any information about it…. so I am unable to explain the contents… other than mushrooms 🙂 with a creamy type froth)

Entrée choices included “Pieds de moutons, gnocchi & brocoli” or “Chanterelles, oeuf, salsifis et huile de truffe blanche” – I opted for the first choice – which uses “Pieds de moutons” mushrooms or “muttons foot” / “hedgehog mushroom” served with gnocchi & a broccoli purée… YUM!

Main/Plat choices included “Pleurotes, saumon, céleri et cresson” or “Shiitake, coucou de Maline, créme de butternut” or “Poêlée de champignons, lentilles vertes, petits légumes” – I went for the 3rd option – Green lentils with mini veggies & stir fried mix of mushrooms…. which was the really & truly AMAZING!

my lentils….

Salmon main…

Cheese/Fromage only had 1 choice: “Pecorino sarde á la truffe noire, pruneaux au thé fumé” – and let’s be honest… they had me at the word “truffe” (truffle)…. this was probably the highlight dish around the table – as the black truffle strong flavour in the pecorino cheese is softened but also enhanced by the prune jam… *sigh*

Dessert choices were “Trompettes de la mort, clémentines & panna cota” or “Le cheesecépe”… at which point we were all pretty full…. we decided that we would only get 1 dessert and many spoons. The waitron informed us that the Cheesecépe is on the menu all year round but the clementine option was seasonal – so that sealed the deal & we went for the “limited” time only offer. Sadly – the flavours did not work for me at all – the panna cota was more cheesy than sweet & the “Trompettes de la mort” (black chanterelle) a bit bitter.

Overall – a restaurant that I would really recommend & definitely return to! Menu pricing is very reasonable, portion sizes are perfect and the taste combinations are phenomenal!

Cafe des Spores

address: Chaussee d’Alsemberg 103, 1060, Saint-Gilles, Brussels, BELGIUM

telephone: +32 2 534 13 03