The 59th Michelin Guide 2015 Belgium and Luxembourg was released today with ten restaurants in Belgium and one in Luxembourg receiving a star for the first time, bringing the total in the region to 117.
Michael Ellis, International Director of the
Michelin Guides, commented on the trends noticed in the region. He said: “Chefs are continuing to focus on simplicity in order to offer their guests a tastier, more authentic cuisine that is deeply inspired by local and seasonal products. Chefs are inventive and intrigued by the idea of mixing traditional cuisine with exotic flavors, while keeping an eye on prices to deliver an affordable dining experience.”
No new restaurants have been awarded two or three stars this year, with the Guide’s three-star establishments - De Karmeliet in Bruges, Hof van Cleve in Kruishoutem and Hertog Jan in Zedelgem, all of which are in Belgium, having received top marks again for 2015. All 17 two-star restaurants are also located in Belgium.
Of the restaurants being newly awarded one star, three were in the Brussels region: Le Pigeon Noir in Uccle, which offers traditional cuisine that mixes simplicity with original flavors; Le Monde est Petit in Etterbeek, whose chef combines local specialties with more exotic ingredients and Da Mimmo in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, an authentic Italian eatery.
Four won a star in Wallonia, including Héliport Brasserie in Liège, which offers generous and tasty fare, and Aux Petits Oignons in Jodoigne, where guests are treated to subtle, contemporary cuisine. The two others – Philippe Meyers in Braine l’Alleud and Les Pieds dans le Plat in Marenne – were both previously Bib Gourmand establishments before being promoted.
Of the remaining newly-starred establishments, three were in Flanders, two of which are located in the Ghent area: D’Oude Pastorie in Lochristi and Publiek, a new establishment whose chef Olly Ceulenaere offers particularly succulent dishes at moderate prices. The third, The Jane, is in Antwerp. It’s located in a converted chapel and headed by Dutch chefs Sergio Herman and Nick Bril, who were both formerly with Oud Sluis, a three-star restaurant in the Netherlands that closed in 2013.
The final new one star, in the city of Luxembourg, is La Cristallerie. This handsome establishment showcases traditional cuisine with tasty dishes and a refined palette of flavors.
In total, this year’s Michelin Guide 2015 Belgium and Luxembourg features 3 three-star restaurants, 17 two-star restaurants and 117 one-star restaurants. It also includes 159 Bib Gourmand restaurants being recognised for their quality food at an affordable price, with 34 new additions.
Summary
Retained three stars:
- De Karmeliet
- Hof van Cleve
- Hertog Jan
Retained two stars:
- Bon-Bon
- Le Chalet de la Forêt
- Comme Chez Soi
- Sea Grill
- ‘t Zilte
- De Jonkman
- Nuance
- Aan Tafel BIJ Luc Bellings
- Hostellerie St-Nicolas
- La Durée
- Bartholomeus
- Slagmolen
- Hostellerie Le Fox
- Pastorale
- Château du Mylord
- L’Air du Temps
- L'Eau Vive
New one stars:
- Le Pigeon Noir
- Le Monde est Petit
- Da Mimmo
- Héliport Brasserie
- Aux Petits Oignons
- Philippe Meyers
- Les Pieds dans le Plat
- D’Oude Pastorie
- Publiek
- The Jane
- La Cristallerie
