One of the most seen tourist sights in Brussels is the Grand Place. You are taken by its majestic view and as you walk away from it, you may run into one of these small alleys with annoying hosts trying to get naïve tourists into their restaurants. If you walk ten minutes towards Place Saint Catherine, you will discover the culinary oasis that is Rue de Flandre. On my recent trip to Brussels, I was able to discover a new restaurant in the popular foodie street: The Gramm Restaurant.
The Scene: I met my friends for a catch up dinner at The Gramm Restaurant. The restaurant is simple, with clean lines and very little décor. However, the little details you do see capture the theme of the restaurant oh so perfectly. The creative neon sign of the restaurant logo, a glass bar cart where tableside cocktails are made, and an open kitchen. The dining room is long and narrow and there are a few outdoor tables.
About the Chef: Chef Erwan Kenzo Nakata is a young Franco-Japanese chef from the south of France. His menu reflects his upbringing between France and Japan. You’ll see those influences in the miso glazed fish or the smoked salmon garnished with edamame. Chef Nakata and his young, energetic staff also focus on sustainability, sourcing their produce from local farms and adding organic wines to their list. We spent hours eating, drinking and talking and had the opportunity to chat with the chef as they were wrapping up in the kitchen. We loved listening to him talk about his passion for food and what inspired him to create his menus.
The Food: The Gramm Restaurant Brussels does not have a fixed menu but rather a tasting menu which changes daily depending on the availability of ingredients. The six course tasting menu is 42 Euros. We started the evening with the restaurant signature drink: a gin and tonic of gin distilled in Flanders. Although I don’t remember the name of the gin, I sure remember the warm, herbal flavor of the drink.
The dishes arrived in creatively concocted plates. The portions were small but packed in flavors. We started with smoked salmon with thinly sliced black radish and edamame. We continued on with a poached egg with a pulverized bacon garnish. The heavier dishes consisted of a fish topped with black roe and a succulent cut of duck breast. We concluded the meal with a rhubarb sorbet with cream. The dishes were light yet satisfying.
The Service: Brussels has a reputation for bad service, especially in restaurants. My friends who live in Brussels and I, a six year expat veteran of the city were amazingly pleased with the service of the restaurant. We heard our server talking to patrons in English, French, and Dutch. When my friend said she did not eat pork, the server immediately provided her with an alternative dish of mushrooms. What we appreciated the most is that he thoroughly described each dish that was presented to us.
The Verdict: Whether you are local or visiting the Brussels, The Gramm Brussels is definitely a Dining Traveler pick for a unique dinner away from the madness of the Grand Place area yet walking distance to the city center. Between the tasting menu, cocktail, and two bottles of wine, our check came to 75 Euros per person (4 people). Very reasonable for the superb quality of food and excellent service.
