Great British tradition goes down a treat at two Belgian venues

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It is a great British tradition that is much-missed by those who choose to lead their lives outside of the UK.

Largely unavailable in Belgium, the traditional Sunday roast dinner has been a staple diet of life in the UK for generations.

The good news is that it is now going to be available every Sunday at one highly popular venue in Brussels.

In fact, the Black Sheep, close to Place Flagey, has decided that the good old fashioned Sunday Roast is worth going on the menu not just every Sunday but on Saturdays too.

That will, surely, be music to the ears of those who miss the weekly culinary feast.

The Sunday roast, lest it be forgotten, dates all the way back to the reign of King Henry VII in 1485. Every Sunday, after church, his royal guards would enjoy a ritual of freshly roasted beef, this is where the affectionate term “Beefeaters” came from.

It has even featured in the arts: The Roast Beef of Old England,” an English patriotic ballad, was written by Henry Fielding for his play “The Grub-Street Opera,” first performed in 1731

Many Brits still very much hold up this tradition today but the problem has been that there are very outlets in Belgium actually serving it.

In fact, it is not just The Black Sheep that aims to correct that but another venue in the same stable,called “Dish”, an informal café in Waterloo, just off the Brussels Ring.

The Roast beef dinner both will be serving every weekend from noon to 4pm consists of the following: slow-roasted beef, beef fat potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, creamy mash, braised red cabbage, herb stuffing, honey-glazed root veg and homemade gravy.

Considering the size and quality of the dish the price, €22.50pp, is very reasonable indeed.

The roast is,in fact, part of the weekend brunch menu at both venues. Other things on the same card include breakfast dishes, an all-day brunch and a kids breakfast.

Again, the prices are very affordable with some items costing as little as €11.50.

The new roast was launched at the weekend (1-2 February) and will continue throughout the year. A totally separate menu, featuring burgers, fish, chicken and other dishes, is still available during the week. 

The idea is to give both British expats and anyone else the chance to sample something that has been enjoyed since the 15th century.

The version being offered at both The Black Sheep and Dish is excellent (as is the service) and highly recommended. You could even try it at one place on a Saturday, then again at the other the next day…..

Full credit to Declan in the kitchen who is responsible for “dishing” up such lovely, wholesome food and his fellow Irish-born colleagues James and Conor.

With the help and hard work of their staff they are the reason why The Black Sheep has become a “must visit” venue in the ever-bustling  area around Place Flagey.

Worth noting, too, that the weekend brunch menu boasts lots of other great offerings as well as the Roast.

These include what is called  “The Full Monty” ( a very full English Breakfast), a slightly smaller version called the “light breakfast”, plus a classic omelette, truffled mushrooms on toast, ricotta scramble on muffin, American style pancakes, Avo toast and French toast.

The prices range from €11.50 for a bowl of crunchy granola with seasonal fruits served on Greek yogurt to €18.90 for the Full Monty which is also available all day.

The all-day brunch comprises a choice of either eggs benedict, eggs Hemingway and eggs Florentine. Each of these are priced €15.

A big range of supplements are also available including smoked bacon, smoked salmon, avocado, sausage, poached egg, hash browns and toast.

Do not forget that the place also features a DJ and live music at weekends which only serves to add to its appeal.

Whatever you opt for, it can all be washed down by a fantastic choice of Belgian and international beers, some on draught.

Just as popular is Dish, located on a busy shopping complex at Waterloo,  which is the latest addition to the same company’s stable. The aim here is to offer a dish from an assortment of places.

So, you’ll find, for instance, a Thai green curry on the menu alongside Mexican-inspired chilli and even a good old traditional full “English” breakfast. Much of the produce is sourced from Ireland which, again, is appropriate as the go-ahead owners are of Irish origin.

One feature of this lovely eatery is the emphasis placed on sourcing most if not everything from local producers and suppliers.

Whichever venue you visit, you are sure of both a great welcome and some very tasty, nourishing food.

Further info:

The Black Sheep,

Chaussée de Boondael 8 (Ixelles)

02 644 3803

https://www.theblacksheepbrussels.be/

Dish

Dreve Richelle 24, Waterloo

0472 942 530

Bienvenue chez Dish Waterloo

 

Bienvenue chez Dish Waterloo