Charismatic Peter Van den Driesschen’s unstuffy, yet elegant welcome will instantly win you over as he ushers you into his smart, fashionably pared-back restaurant, hung with works of art and overlooking a lovely garden. The scene is set, and the rest of the team pursues Peter’s goal of making every aspect of your meal as perfect as possible. Seafood is cast in the lead roles, but the chef does allow red meat to play the odd guest-star appearance. He aims to highlight each ingredient’s purity in recipes free of unnecessary frills or gimmicks. The emphasis is on allowing the produce to speak plainly rather than shrouding it in mystery. The chef’s immense know-how and mastery of the ins and outs of classical cuisine shine through in recipes such as exquisitely pearly scallops cooked in butter in the shell, to which he gives a kick with a gutsy roe sauce and a subtle accompaniment of slightly bitter leaf chicory. Remember to save room for afters, because the cheese trolley and bites served with coffee are to die for! Kelderman is a culinary landmark in Alost and in the region and has been for many years – all of which is more than justified!