Taking a bite of the “Big Apple” has never been more appetising than at Manhattn’s.
For the uninitiated, Manhattn’s is a very popular burger joint in Belgium, named after New York, nicknamed Big Apple.
From relatively humble roots, this particular “Big Apple” has flourished and grown to the extent that it’s now even crossing borders.
A new branch has just opened in Place St Michel, Paris, the third in the French capital and just the latest in what is a fast growing “chain.”
This fantastic Belgian culinary/business success story all started, though, in Brussels.
The launch came way back in October 2014 at Avenue Louise, the chic shopping street in the Belgian capital.
The business was started by two go ahead Belgian brothers Jerome and Philippe Vandermeule.
Jerome recalls, “It felt like Manhattan’s energy had found a new home. And from that day on, every burger we serve has carried that same promise: bold, unapologetic, and unmistakably New York, done our way.”
Other venues soon followed in other parts of the city, including the Bourse, Merode and Ixelles with others located in Fox Food Market, Watermael-Boitsfort and Wijnegem shopping centre. You will also find Manhattn’s in other parts of the country now, including Antwerp, Gent, Bruges and Leuven.
In a relatively short space of time Jerome and Philippe have very cleverly turned what is a fairly basic concept – serving burgers – into something of an art form.
The Avenue Louise venue, where it all started, remains as popular as ever and that is partly down to the sort of very friendly and welcoming staff there (as at the other branches of Manhattn’s).
Charly, the manager at Avenue Louise, relocated from his home in Paris three years ago and explains one of the secrets of the Vandermeule success story.
He says, “When you are selling burgers you must do something a bit different to others.
“The difference you will find at Manhattn’s is the friendliness of the teams.”
That includes Charly’s welcoming and cheerful young colleagues like Ines whose friendly demeanour should be copied by some of the surly staff you find at other eateries in Belgium.
It is their Unique Selling Point but, so too, is something else that rather matters – the quality of the burgers.
They are, imaginatively, named after famous landmarks in the Big Apple (New York) such as Rockefeller Burger (one of the best selling ones); Empire Cheeseburger; Brooklyn Falafel Burger; Central Park Kids’ Burger and Harlem Chicken Burger.
The décor is decidedly inspired by the famous American city. The design blends New York-inspired elements like art deco, subway style, and industrial metal with bright taxi-cab yellow and comic-style illustrations.
All this, in essence, started in 2011 when Jerome went to work for a spell in New York City with “nothing but ambition and a Belgian waffle iron.”
For two years he baked waffles on the streets of Manhattan, soaking up the city’s hustle, its flavours, its rhythm.
Returning to Belgium, he and his brother set out to reinvent the Big Apple ambience in their home country.
The theme even extends to the loos where you will find large artwork invoking the United States’ great Gatsby era.
It is, as they say, all “bold, unapologetic, and unmistakably New York but done our way.”
The menu itself is pretty much standard at all Manhattn’s: there’s a choice of brilliant burgers, including four classics like the Gotham Burge,plus a couple of flame-grilled chicken options; a veggie burger; Madison chicken salad.
Look out for the choice of toppings, such as grilled bacon and pickled cucumbers, plus the rather special homemade sauces (including “smokey BBQ sauce, smoke aioli and one, slightly mysteriously called a “secret sauce”).
Sides include fresh, Belgian fries, spicy mix fries and parmesan truffle fries.
The card remains constant throughout the year but what does change, seasonally, are the “Broadway specials” which, currently, featured a “Butcher’s Bearnaise Burger” and “Sweet Potatoe Parmesan Truffle Fries.”
One important notable feature about this and with all Manhattn’s is that they use 100 percent grass fed Irish Angus beef.
They NEVER use frozen meat because, as the card itself says, “great burgers start long before they hit the grill.”
The Manhattn’s method is to “seal in the juice” (of the meat) so that it lands on the plate “exactly how it should: rich and honest.”
The same attention goes to the fries which, again, are always freshly and hand cooked. Stage one cooks for the fluff, the second cooks for the crunch and the third and last phase ensures they are golden on the outside and soft on the insider.
“Exactly,” the card states, “how it is supposed to be.”
That is but one reason why the Avenue Louise branch – the original Manhattn’s – is frequented by so many regulars, some of whom love the burgers so much they visit 2 to 3 times per week.
The portions are generous and if you still have room for more you can get your sweet fix by sampling a lovely homemade chocolate chip seasalt cookie, served with coffee or Madagascar vanilla ice cream.
Some really great grub can be washed down by a great choice of drinks, including “Manhattn’s Margarita” or “Homemade Arnold Palmer,” two signature cocktails, those famous Belgian beers like Brugge Tripel, Steenbrugge and a tasty IPA from the Brussels Beer Project.
It is all very reasonably priced – the burgers start from a mere €12.90 for instance – and the whole Manhattn’s concept reflects very well on a couple of enterprising Belgian blokes and their very hard working and bubbly staff. Open daily from 11.30am to 10.30pm.
Manhattn’s
164 Av. Louise, Brussels
https://www.manhattns.com/
t 02 649 8595
