Restaurant Terborght in Huizingen

Looking for a gastronomical Sunday brunch? To welcome the spring, we decided to try Restaurant Terborght in Huizingen, which holds one Michelin star and received a score of 15 in the Gault & Millau Belux 2012 edition.

Located in the province of Flemish Brabant, about half an hour's drive from central Brussels and close to exit 20 of the E19 highway, the restaurant is set in a renovated building.

A small stream runs next to the kitchen.

The lady who owns and manages the restaurant welcomed us by the door with a smile. Our jackets were promptly taken away and we were led to our table.

The designers have decided to retain some of the old charm inside with the rough brick walls.

The mises en bouche were served. Here's a 'group picture'

And now one by one - starting with twists and dips 

Three delicious bouchées en dégustation

Mussels. The small green macaron accompanied the mussels brilliantly

Then came the breads (from left to right: seaweed, brioché, wholewheat, white) accompanied with olive oil and butter (which was a tad too cold and hard). Also, for a Michelin starred restaurant, I would have expected a waiter to ask later during the meal if we wanted to have some extra (or warm) bread.

Hot and cold eel. Here's the cold version:

and the hot version underneath

There was another appetizer: poached quail egg, écrevisses and spinach mousseline. It looked so good that I forgot to take a picture and just grabbed my spoon :-)

Entrée 1: Tuna carpaccio & tartare - langoustine – encre de seiche – avocat – radis – soja – sésame

Beautiful presentation which up close looks like this. Besides the presentation, the tuna was neither fresh nor of the best quality.

Entrée 2 served in a sphere: Potage de coquillages & crustacées, tomate,  parfum d'anis étoilé

and underneath the potage some king crab

The main dish: Jeune pigeon d' Anjou - topinambour – potiron – oignon – jus de curry rouge (unfortunately the jus was not a good match for the pigeon). On the side (outside the picture), they offered a spicy fried pigeon drumstick (cuisse & maïs – PX – piment).

Then began the surprise desserts en dégustation. We were expecting a couple of small portions to sample. Instead, we received a full desert: white chocolate ice cream & pina colada. Delicious!

To our surprise, a second dessert was brought: panna cotta, banana and chocolate.

And of course, some mignardises to finish off the meal.

Service was good. We were welcomed with a big smile by the lady owner/manager. The waiters were trying their best. However, some of the younger staff seemed a bit apprehensive of serving non-Flemish speaking customers.

Overall, a great Sunday lunch, which at € 44 for the 4-courses menu (and many extras) offered good value. Definitely recommended! 

Restaurant Terborght
Huizingen, Flemish Brabant
http://www.terborght.be