Au Petit Grand BV — Restaurant in Bruges

We had dinner at Au Petit Grand BV for Christmas night, and while the food was nice, the overall experience left us a bit disappointed.

We booked the table about two weeks in advance, but the reservation process was more complicated than it needed to be. We initially emailed to reserve, but had some back-and-forth issues with the person handling reservations. They asked for a deposit on the 24th or 25th, right when we were set to arrive and wanted cash or card in person. When we explained we’d pay as soon as we got there, we got a confusing response about them thinking we were staying at a Bruges hotel. We didn’t really understand why that mattered, and honestly, it felt like more effort than it should’ve been just to confirm our spot. Eventually, we paid the deposit and secured the reservation.

When we arrived for dinner, we were seated right on time. The staff seemed rushed and a little stressed , except for one kind lady and the chef (who I think might have been the owner). They were both really friendly and welcoming, which was nice.

Unfortunately, the air inside the restaurant was really heavy with kitchen smells to the point that my wife asked if we could sit somewhere less affected. The smell lingered the whole time, and at moments it felt like food smoke filled the air. It started to make my wife feel nauseous, which took away from the experience.

The food itself was good , nothing groundbreaking, but well-prepared and enjoyable. One thing that stood out was a young guy handling orders. He was trying really hard, but it felt like he was rushing too much. He forgot our glasses at one point and accidentally broke one at the bar. Honestly, I just felt like telling him to slow down, there wasn’t a need to stress that much. I’ve been to busier restaurants where everything flowed more smoothly.

I get that Christmas night can be hectic, and I appreciate the effort. But I really wish they had mentioned the air circulation issues upfront. If we had known, we might’ve chosen somewhere else for such a special evening. Even a small apology at the end would’ve made a difference.

If you’re sensitive to strong kitchen smells or hoping for a relaxed dining experience, I’d recommend looking at other...

Exceptional dining experience in the heart of Bruges

Foodies, listen up! If you're exploring the enchanting city of Bruges, you absolutely must treat yourself to a meal at Au Petit Grand. Nestled in the heart of the old town, this cozy little restaurant is a true culinary treasure.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show: the food! Both my spouse and I opted for the chateaubriand, and oh my goodness, it was divine. Perfectly cooked and accompanied by a delightful side salad, it was a true masterpiece. I paired mine with a baked potato, while my better half went for the gratin – both were heavenly.

But wait, there's more! The starters were equally impressive. I had the scallops in white wine sauce, which were tender and bursting with flavor. My spouse's crispy calamari rings were a delightful surprise – who knew calamari could be so perfectly crispy?

And don't even get me started on dessert. The mousse au chocolat was rich, decadent, and everything a chocolate lover could dream of. But the real star was the crème brûlée. I'm telling you, it was the most brilliant crème brûlée I've ever had the pleasure of cracking into.

Now, you might be thinking, "Sure, the food's great, but what about the service?" Let me tell you, the lovely folks at Au Petit Grand went above and beyond. Despite being fully booked (and having a big birthday party to attend to!), they managed to squeeze us in and made us feel like VIPs.

In short, Au Petit Grand is an absolute must-visit for anyone who appreciates fantastic food, warm hospitality, and a charming atmosphere. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you. Just don't blame me if you find yourself daydreaming about that chateaubriand long after you've...

We came here for our anniversary meal and were a bit disappointed especially because we saw the good reviews and the menu looked fantastic!

The restaurant does have a smokey smell when you enter probably from the open grill. The service overall was slow. We were not asked about allergies and were given a crab dip as an offering which we could not eat.

The dauphinoise was tasty. The chateaubriand “italian way” was totally not what I was expecting. The plate was filled with arugula leaves and the meat was camouflaged underneath the salad. Although a little burnt as I asked for it well done, I still managed to enjoy my dish because I loved the quantity of salad I got. I would recommend some lemon or seasoning though as it did taste quite bland. However my partner’s side salad was unseasoned and bland and should definitely be improved.

Overall, with some small changes I believe this restaurant could be fantastic but I would not recommend here for a special dinner. I would recommend it for an every day chilled dinner, but for these prices I’m not sure if that would be sensible. To each their own.

I will say one thing though - the chef at the grill was also personally thanking and saying goodbyes to the customers when they were leaving so this was a very positive thing I observed. When we were leaving he did not do this but I think that is because...