Traditional Belgian/Flemmish fare is necessary to understand the flavours behind the country. However all good adventures need a modern take of these classics. It invariably sends the price point up a bit (or a lot) and in Brussels this was Henri for me. As you walk north-west of the city centre towards the river, Henri stands quietly amongst a few other louder and more social options.
After the complimentary olives, bread and scallop amuse bouche came my selection of a la carte:
- Marbré de boeuf & foie gras au tartufata - a visually spectacular dish (albeit perhaps unappealing to the masses) of soft raw beef rolled with foie gras mixed with black truffles. The truffle flavour was quite mild, but the foie and beef stood out. An unsual dish of texture, flavour and only for the true foodies;
- Roasted seafood casserole with escargots;
- Fruit crumble with vanilla ice-cream.
The food is a large step in sophistication from the brasseries but I'm not sure the flavours in themselves are worth the extra money. But the experience of modern cuisine makes it worth at least one try.