You might not be familiar with ‘The Flemish Foodies,’ but in Belgium they are ‘The Beatles’ of the culinary industry. Three young chefs, brought together by talented photographer Piet De Kersgieter on a mission to transform the Belgian foodie landscape.
Apart from being young, gifted and surprisingly approachable, each of the chefs have their own distinctive persona. The result is a trio of exciting restaurants in Ghent: the previously posted Volta, De Vitrine & J.e.f.
Today, I eat @ ‘De Vitrine.’ Translated it means ‘window.’ A playful allude to its unique location: the city’s red light district. Chef Kobe Desramaults challenges tradition, and when it comes to restaurant location, he introduces a new ‘trendy.’ Lunch starts at 12:00, and dinner is organized in 2 shifts: 18:30 or 21:00. Best if you arrive a little early so you can enjoy a glass of wine in the retro-looking transformed butcher store.
On the tunes of Jimi Hendrix, I eat with a group of funky-looking diners: tweed jackets, cuffed pants and Wayfarer Black Frame glasses. From the dining room you are entertained by the serene action in the open kitchen. Only rarely will you spot Kobe behind the furnace. His ‘right hand’ Matthias Speybrouck and team are carefully executing his dishes.
First to arrive: poached oysters, whelks, whey-sauce, yarrow and common winter cress. A curious and wonderful adventure! Next up is woodpigeon with barley, pumpkin and chickweed herb. Apart from being a visual feast, all the components are cooked to perfection and full with flavor. Kobe breaks boundaries, and his fearless attitude translates into his food: atypical ingredients and unexpected pairings. Rock & Roll indeed!
The Vitrine: Brabantdam 134, 9000 Ghent, Belgium, tel +32 (0)9 3362808.
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An Vande Velde 2 January 2012
Wow, dit staat zeker op mijn ‘to-do-list’ voor 2012!!!!
Sid Frisjes 3 January 2012
Schoon verslagske en mooie foto’s. Ik krijg er al zin in.
The Curious Eater 4 January 2012
Thanks Sid! Next up is J.e.f
Kathelyne lippens 30 January 2012
J.E.F, Volta and the Brasserie of the museum of arts [Mub'art]: the places to be in the vibrant city of Ghent
Regula @ foodwise 18 June 2012
I just found you blog through the blog of my friend Giulia from Juls Kitchen, love it!
I am Belgian, also a food blogger.
This restaurant is still on my “to visit” list, I can’t wait to go as I live so close to Gent.
Sofie Delauw 19 June 2012
Let me know your experience
!
Regula @ Miss foodwise 3 March 2013
Hi Sofie, I wanted to look for your post about Volta and remembered this one. I visited Vitrine last summer, not long after my comment here.
I was looking forward to it very much. Sadly there was no music this time but the food was very good, some of the best I’ve ever tasted in Belgium. I don’t like spending hundreds of euros on a meal and in this restaurant the prices are still affordable. I liked seeing local and Belgian/Dutch produce used in the dishes. The restaurant looks lovely, like sitting in a ‘beenhouwer’. All round a great place I will return to! x