It’s the land of food lovers but, even so, finding a nice place to eat on the Sabbath can often prove a real challenge in Belgium.
The reason is that many restos choose to close their doors on Sundays while, welcome news to resto workers, is not so great for anyone looking to finish the weekend with a nice meal.
The good news is that, right at the heart of Brussels, is one terrific resto that not only opens on Sunday but serves a particular great Sunday tradition: the brunch.
It is called “Bocconi” and if you have not tried the brunch you really should try soon.
Centrepiece of this lavish occasion is the risotto being cooked “live” in front of patrons in the middle of the restaurant. The risotto is tweaked every Sunday so as to offer the best possible selection and may comprise, for example, asparagus and truffle or pumpkin and truffle.
Resembling something of a culinary “show”, the idea is to demonstrate how what is top-notch risotto should be cooked.
If the risotto is the “star dish” of the weekly brunch, the big star performer is the famous and highly-regarded Italian chef Fulvio Pierangelini who, time and a very busy schedule permitting, actually does the cooking himself from time to time (as he did recently).
Known as the “Godfather” of Italian cooking, Fulvio shot to fame for his award-winning restaurant in Italy and he has tried (successfully) to replicate the same standards and quality.
“We have selected the best ingredients to offer a fresh perspective on timeless Italian classics,” he notes.
The idea of the weekly brunch is to encourage folk to come together on the last day of the week and enjoy a family meal together. But, of course, is it not just families who can enjoy the brunch here as everyone is welcome.
The important thing to remember, though, is that this brunch is rather superior to those which may be found elsewhere. You will certainly find lots of pasta, fresh fish and seafood, salads being served, including hot starters, homemade lasagne and cold cuts supplied by Dierendonck, the famous Belgian outlet. An aperitif (or a detox juice and drink for kids) is included in the price which, considering the sheer quality and choice, is a very reasonable €85pp (it is even less, just €42, for kids aged from 4-12 and free for those under three).
The brunch dishes are served in an enclave which you enter via two large sliding doors, decorated with exquisite Italian artwork and alongside intricately designed porcelain plates.
The resto has guests who regularly visit just for the brunch, called “ll Pranzo della Domenica”, which makes for a lovely way to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or wedding anniversary. It is also a great way to celebrate Italian cuisine at its finest.
But if the brunch, all carefully curated by Chef Pierangelini, is brilliant the same can be said of the business lunch, served Monday to Friday.
The choice changes weekly and you are free to have just one course or up to four, depending on your preference. Starters may include monkfish while the first course could be risotto while the main course may comprise a choice of sea bass or pork cheek, with a dessert to follow.
Prices range from €25 (one course) to a very affordable and reasonable €52 (for four courses).
As with all else, these lovely dishes are supervised by a couple of talented chefs,Giorgio Scainelli and Vincenzio Munno who, as with all the friendly and authoritative staff (all immaculately turned out) here, are Italian born, the idea being to maximise authenticity not just with the fabulous food but the people who serve it.
Of course, there a la carte selection, served in the evenings, is equally terrific. The menu changes seasonally with the next rotation due around the middle of this month (March) when seasonal things like asparagus are likely to find their way onto the card.
Currently, the carefully-selected menu comprises an excellent balance of fish and meat, with customer favourites, according to maitre d’hotel Vittorio Baldassarre, including tuna tataki and tuna sauce (starter) along with the traditional lasagne and ravioli alla carbonara ( pasta) and, for mains, turbot with mashed potatoes and artichokes and the Roman-style artichokes. Delicious desserts include cheeses, waffle and chocolate fondant. Again, considering the quality, the prices are quite reasonable.
Some wonderful dining (very well complimented by tremendous wines) all takes place in a serene and peaceful setting (it can seat up to 90 people), with the tables nicely distanced, affording privacy, and against a calming and tasteful interior décor.
Before or after a memorable meal, be it brunch, lunch or in the evening, you can take a stroll around what is, like this restaurant, another Brussels icon, the Grand Place which is a stone’s throw away.
As the welcoming Vittorio points out, this place makes for a great visit any time of the week and that very much includes “locals” as well as international guests staying at the adjacent Hotel Amigo.
Highly recommended.
Bocconi, Rue De L’Amigo 1, Brussels
02 547 4747
ristorantebocconi@roccoforetehotels.com
www.roccofortehotels.com/hotel-amigo
