When I am not studying (which I am serious, rarely happens) I try to make my way to some of the culinary establishments that A-Town so proudly boasts. Although I wish my list was more extensive, I do have a few recommendations for places to enjoy a nice meal.
- Pazzo- this restaurant and experience take "the cake" as one of my favorite dining experience in Antwerp. Everything from the intimate atmosphere, being poured an aperitief the moment you sit down, to the incredible table bread only pales in comparison to the items that come out from their specialized truffle menu. I ordered the truffle ravioli, which was so rich and only made more delectable by the mound of fresh shaved truffle applied at the table. I am not exaggerating when I say that I tasted exclusively truffles for four full hours after our meal... and I am not complaining.
- A Tavola- this find was actually a mistake and completely unplanned but turned out to be far from disappointing. I had planned to visit a food truck festival in the southern area of the city, a bit far from the center and my residence, however when I arrived I really was not overly excited by the environment and the offerings. We wandered down the street a bit and passed A Tavola, which looked to be a quaint little italian restaurant, with filled seats (always a good sign) and so we popped inside. There were only seats at the bar, which actually meant the open area that over looked the kitchen. For me, it is always a treat to watch the chefs work and gives me a greater appreciation for just how much of an art form cooking really is. This restaurant is not an Italian restaurant with a Flemish Chef... it is authentic and you can taste it in the al dente pappardelle al fungi. Just go and enjoy some carbs.
- Zao Wangs- one of my first meals out in the city, Zao Wangs is a wonderful end of summer place to enjoy good company and good sushi. A group of friends and I enjoyed the open air seating and the "sushi boat" which consisted of a myriad of rolls and individual pieces of your usual raw selection. The prices were fair and the fish was fresh, which is actually something of a rarity in Antwerp. If you are looking for a nice place to enjoy some sushi and time with your people, treat yourself here.
- InVincible- InVincible could be classified as one of the most Innovative restaurants that I have been to and undoubtedly one of the most delicious. The first tip is to make sure that you reserve at the bar seating, which wraps around the open kitchen. There are no servers and there is no menu. You are simply asked what type of wine you like: Red or white? Heavy or Light? and then the pairing is selected with regards to the ingredients that will eventually be on your plate. The chef will promptly appear in front of you and tell you what he has today and its not a question. He explains that he has some beautiful trumpet mushrooms that he would sauté in a brown butter sauce and serve it underneath a perfectly poached egg, should you wish. He has also acquired a filet of beef that comes from beneath the shoulder bone, which he is searing and placing atop a mound of brussel sprouts and those same trumpets, finished with a red wine glaze, if meat is what you fancy. You will shake your head yes, in a stupefied manner, drooling over the described imagery in your mind. Then your meal will arrive, after you have watched every single move made by the chef, counting out the seconds that your filet lightly sears in the pan before reaching the perfect level of rareness. I cannot do justice to how incredibly this experience was. Just please book a flight, make a reservation and bask in the beauty that is a culinary experience at InVincible. Did I mention that the lunch menu is 26 Euros? ... GO.
- Fiskebar- Antwerp is a port city, so as you can imagine, there are some hot spots with regards to Fish. Fiskebar is a highly recommended spot in the south of the city, with an adjacent oyster bar. The atmosphere is clean and the fish is perfectly prepared. I shared the seared scallop starter, but the star of the show was the grilled octopus tentacle, still tender and not overly chewy with a crisp, charred exterior. The housemade apple cider vinegar worked perfectly over the sweet, tender tentacle with the fennel and grapefruit slaw. As a main, I went with the special Sea Bass, served over roasted root vegetables and topped with the housemade anchovy butter... which I had to ask for more of (highly advisable move). The emphasis here is on well fresh sourced, well cooked seafood and they definitely delivery. It is in a really cool area of the city, with a lot of wine bars around and a generally great vibe.
- Lombardia- Tucked in the shopping streets around the Meir is Lombardia, with all its stickered walls and colored chairs and tables. This place is a Veggie and Vegan paradise but meat eaters will not be disappointed either. I came here for lunch and ordered the "Day Plate" which consisted of steamed seasonal veggies and a quinoa bean salad. This is a much welcomed escape from the often saucy, overly fried and heavy food that can become common in Belgian Cuisine. Also, order the Ginger Love tea, it was invented by the owner and is made with fresh orange juice and served with dried apricots, such a great treat!