Winery
When a wine bar masters the kitchen, beautiful things happen. This little discovery at Place Brugmann today was one of those happy marriages between years of wine knowledge and creative chefs.
Winery - La Cave à Manger, in Ixelles, was created in 2004 by Frédéric de Thibault. The first to combine a wine store and wine bar in one establishment. They dared to introduce their love of the Loire, Languedoc and Roussillon regions, which were slightly under the radar in Belgium at the time.
Since then, they have expanded with two new addresses. Winery Comptoir, in Brussels center, near Antoine Dansaert, where you can have a lovely glass of wine with mainly sharing boards of cheeses and cold cuts. And the second, also established in 2004, Winery Boitsfort, in Watermael-Boitsfort, where you can have both warm and cold sharing dishes. From what i read, the also boast a great kitchen and I’d love to try it as well!
Two years ago, renovations started at their Ixelles location to install a fully functioning kitchen and hired a two chef team, Clara and Paul. And so began a new chapter for Winery.
The interior as well as the staff are very welcoming. High tables are nicely decorated with fresh flowers and the walls are filled with wine bottles that can either be purchased to go or to drink in house. A selection of wines per glass and locally brewed beers are also available.
Their new lunch concept is very flexible. A choice of two starters, a main dish and desert is on offer. You can pick from a two, three of four course meal. The prices range from 24 to 38 euros and it is worth every penny! My curiosity got the best in me, so we ordered the full 4 course meal. And for 38 euros, we were very well served. The lunch started with a radicchio salad, torched red tuna and blackberries. A delicate preparation with a touch of toasted sesame seeds. Followed by one of their classics, a large shrimp croquette with a flavorful bisque and fried parsley. The main star of the show was the cockerel (coquelet). Nicely braised skin and juicy meat, served with a quinoa taboulé packed with fine herbs, roasted eggplant, pickled cucumber slices, a red cabbage purée and a creamy dill sauce. Simply gorgeous! The desert had just as much attention to detail. A fig cake was presented with blackcurrant crème, fresh figs and a corn ice cream.
What? Corn ice cream?
Yes, corn ice cream. It works and it is delicious!
We had a look at their evening menu and found the prices very reasonable for their selection. I look forward to trying those as well, maybe not all in one go this time! They also served yummy snacks in the afternoon and proudly list the artisans on the menu. They’re open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 23:00. Perfect for apéro, whenever apéro might be!
Winery is a great place at any moment of the day. This laid back wine bar has everything in place to enjoy a quick drink or all afternoon on the terrace.
Winery - La Cave à Manger
Place Georges-Brugmann 18
1050 Ixelles
Call at 02 895 77 71
Open from Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 23:00
