Bistro Bruut — Restaurant in Bruges

`On a much antiquated trip to Bruges with my brother, aunt and mum we booked Bistro Bruut as our big weekend treat. We had been looking forward to visiting this well recommended culinary experience. On arrival we were shown to our seat by a rather stern looking waiter. We sat down, the excitement on our faces palpable. We sat patiently in our seats for 5 minutes...then 10 minutes until my aunt finally caught the waiters attention, in order to ask for some water and drink menus, at which point he very abruptly turned to her and coldly said 'sorry are you in a rush'. He then walked off. This threw my aunt and set the tone for the rest of the night. It turned out both the waiters were the co-owners and I think the fact the restaurant is Michelin recommended has got to their heads. They were both incredibly rude with a radiating air of arrogance. They spoke to us like in a patronising, 'why are you here' type of manor. It was as if at every opportunity they had to be polite and welcoming they were horrible, cold and rude.

For us, as a family on a special trip at a well researched and highly anticipated venue the reception and treatment, frankly ruined the whole evening.

The food was fantastic in parts, arrogant and pretentious in others. We were told not to eat or cut to much in to the pumpkin that one dish came in as the pumpkin was to be used for other diners. We were warned not to eat too many of the herbs in another dish as they were only there for aesthetic and not for taste. There were some yummy dishes and I won't belittle the owners of this but the way they made us all feel was not nice and as we paid in excess of €120 this added salt in our wounds.

I hope that other diners do not have the same experience in terms of service.

After spending so much time researching and mastering their menu it was bizarre the co-owners made such little effort smiling, welcoming and making our trip enjoyable.

It left a sour taste in our mouths that no amount of califlower risotto or natural orange wine...

Food and experience were amazing. Probably the best meal we have ever had, same goes with the experience as a whole, and those other top places were amazing (shout out to the former Staplehouse in Atlanta and Animo in Sonoma!).

Bruno was fantastic and so was our server. Very cute little place right next to a canal and small walking bridge. They seated only about eight tables per evening and the experience lasted all evening (about four hours) to fully enjoy all the dishes and the wine. Server did a great job talking through wine selections with us for the upcoming dishes (that each remained a surprise until we received them). He was also immediately on the spot for everything else the whole evening.

I won’t discuss specific dishes, both because of those surprises and I assume they are a little (or a lot!) different day to day. What I will say is that every single dish was a genuine treat. Very creative, full of tastes that complemented each other wonderfully. Bruno’s descriptions of each were fun and informative. He was working hard to make the experience great for each table so I tried not to bother him much, but the few times I asked about the creation of a specific dish he launched into a pleasurable and detailed description that felt like Hemingway explaining the ingredients, where they were growing, chemistry of the preparation, etc.

This is not an inexpensive meal and experience, but if you are wondering if it is worth it I can assure you it is. When we were leaving after four hours Bruno even walked us outside and waved goodbye. Thanks to everyone at Bistro Bruut for such a pleasurable and inspiring and even...

This is by far the best restaurant I have ever been to. First of all the atmosphere is amazing. The decor is beautiful and the view is great. Also the bathroom is very extraordinary.

The server is very very kind. We are from Germany and he made sure to explain every meal in German words. First of all the 5-course menu starts with great Amuse-Gueule’s. All the courses are special. The cook combines the ingredients well. His cooking is not a normal dinner, every meal is a piece of art, almost too beautiful to be eaten. He even uses special plates for every single meal. The sour-dough bread served to the meals is amazing. In between the meals you have enough time to communicate with your friends/partners, but not too much time so you would starve.

The cook visits your table in person to make sure the food tasted well for you. Once the course is done you won’t leave the restaurant awfully stuffed, just perfectly pleased.

All in all I’d always attend this place again. It has been by far the best evening I’ve had here. I’d highly recommend this place and I’d ALWAYS...