Restaurants

Three years passed before I first set foot in Au Boeuf Qui Rit. I don’t know why, but perhaps it is because you cannot really look inside and see what’s going on what held me back to take a peek.

But now I have… my my, did I get blown away. The grill is integrated into the restaurant, so you see (and smell!) your meal being prepared right in front of you. There is one French lady running all this, which is quite amazing.

Next to the usual steaks I preferred a scampi brochette the first time with the sauce à la boeuf, a real winner. I don’t know whether reservations are in order here, but you can try just walking in like I did and eat some boeuf.

Now I only eat the meat there, but the sauce has stayed. And everybody’s loves it. If you want to impress your guests with some restaurant know how, go here.

One of the most charming restaurants I have been to in Ghent. At De Avonden there is no fancy fusion kitchen or delicious spare ribs, but just some nice home made cooking. Real simple plates like hutspot, beans and other stuff you can choose from on the big blackboard on the wall.

One of the first times I went there, me and a friend both ordered some oysters and we got like a giant silver plate which scared us of what to come. The portions are really generous, there was not one table that could finish everything.

Besides all that food, you have to beware that they only have their own stock and when that is finished, you have to order something else. As they don’t have a large menu to choose from, you may have to compromise, like we did with our wine. But it is entirely forgiven! Making reservations is a must!

Hanging around in the Mosquito Coast always feels like travelling at the same time. Not just the decorating, but the whole atmosphere breathes: I am not at home! In Hoogpoort you will find this bare necessity of mine, next to the Connections store. You know, when you are all in the mood to go, you just walk in and buy your ticket. Not good for the wallet though.

Mosquito has two floors and two terraces for that matter. A lot of room to let people eat, yes, but do not be fooled. It can get quite busy and reservations are a must sometimes. But for a cheap glass of white wine in the afternoon sun I am sure you will be able to pick a spot.

Next to a lot of drinks, from cocktails, beers and coffees to absinth, there is a very good kitchen that I urge you to try. They have small plates like a modest croque monsieur, but also real delicacies like kangaroo or ostrich steak!

Talking about that kangaroo or ostrich. some people are offended when i say mmm that is delicious, but put a piece of meat in their mouth and see what happens My last dinner guest was like WAW, oh my god! That’s soooo good So, yeah, duh

It is an American concept, the all you can eat. Luckily for De Gekroonde Hoofden, most Belgians don’t eat that much. Next to the Gravensteen, they serve a variety on food, but 90 percent of the customers only come for one thing: their famous all you can eat ribs.

For starters I get a very thick piece, spiced up and I can choose among four sauce varieties. The sweet and sour is to die for! Afterwards you can order halves too if you want and try every sauce for example. I think four and a half is my personal best. The service is quick and friendly and a lot of them work there already for a long time.

Just one tip: if you really want to go for the all you can eat, I would suggest you do not touch the bread Although very tasteful with the garlic butter and other sauces that are there and free for you, you will be full too soon to fully enjoy all the ribs you want to eat.

For dessert I can recommend the chocolate mousse, if you have any room left in your stomach that is.

Feeling exotic and want to eat in a kitschy, though delicious place? In De Orchidee I found a place where I could fill a plate with all the vegetables I wanted for my Thai wok and I could take as much as I wanted. The only condition is that it kept sticking to my plate.

So I started building a tower of vegetables with nothing falling off. If you can manage that: hoorah for you! With mushrooms, carrots and other vegetables I can choose among chicken, beef, porc, tofu, scampi or squid. I can even pick two different varieties, but then you pay extra too.

To finish there are five different sauces like Thai, curry or oyster. And this for a very good price! Normally there are enough seats, but sometimes reservations can come in handy. Writing of which: time to go!