Chef Nicolas Decloedt and the lady of the house and sommelière, Caroline Baerten, were championing plant-based cuisine long before it became trendy. Their sustainable ethos and creativity have been a source of inspiration for many, what’s more they publish a sustainability report that can be consulted online by all and sundry. We warrant that a meal in this stylish, street corner building adorned with frescoes of angels and gilded ceilings will be an unforgettable experience.
The micro-seasons are reverently respected thanks to their close collaboration with botanist-farmer Dries Delanote and other craftsmen and women. Light years from fads and fashions, zero waste is a state of mind here, leading to a bold, new, innovative look at gastronomy. A personal retake on the Paris-Brest dessert with matured celeriac, foaming quince, punchy horseradish and a celeriac and apple juice to coax all the flavours out of the vegetables. The sommelière deploys her immense talent in creations that may feature amazake, sake, milky oolong tea and vodka, in a bid to further exalt the chef’s exuberant recipes. Each dish triggers our curiosity and awakens our appetites. Humus x Hortense is in a class of its own.