Bocconi — Restaurant in Brussels

My recent solo dining experience at Bocconi in Brussels was an exquisite culinary journey that left an indelible mark on my palate. Arriving around 1pm, I found myself ensconced on their serene terrace, where a gentle breeze danced through and afforded me an unobtrusive view of passersby, creating a harmonious ambience that was both cool and tranquil.

Embarking on this culinary voyage, I initiated proceedings with the steak tartare, a meticulously crafted composition of flavors and textures that showcased the culinary prowess of the establishment. The interplay of the velvety, fresh meat with the nuanced mayonnaise and balsamic drizzle was a masterful symphony that resonated with each exquisite bite.

As the main course unfurled, the veal chops emerged as a culinary triumph. Tender, succulent, and replete with a sublime depth of flavor, they were nothing short of a gastronomic revelation. Accompanying this opulent dish were sides of impeccably prepared fresh legumes and artichokes, testaments to the culinary finesse that defines Bocconi.

The crescendo of this culinary concerto reached its zenith with the presentation of the tiramisu. A pinnacle of dessert craftsmanship, it unveiled a harmonious equilibrium of flavors, artfully restrained sweetness, and an unabashedly robust coffee essence that lingered, tantalizing the senses.

Completing this gastronomic sojourn was the espresso, a fitting denouement that showcased the establishment's attention to detail. The seamless balance between acidity and sweetness culminated in an experience that was not just coffee, but an embodiment of refined taste.

Throughout the meal, the staff, led by the affable Maître d', Madel, demonstrated an exemplary level of attentiveness and hospitality, further enhancing the overall experience. Their genuine warmth and commitment to ensuring a truly welcoming atmosphere guaranteed a level of service that was not only impeccable but also emotionally resonant.

Bocconi unquestionably stands as a veritable gem in the Brussels dining landscape, a culinary oasis where impeccable cuisine, attentive service, and an inviting milieu coalesce. My culinary voyage at Bocconi has been etched into memory, a testament to its rightful place among the ranks of the finest establishments. I eagerly anticipate the prospect of revisiting this culinary haven and anticipate with relish the prospect of indulging in their famed...

Ristorante Bocconi at the Hotel Amigo has a beautiful interior with a warm, inviting ambiance. The finishes are elegant, and while some of the paintings are slightly eccentric, they fit nicely with the Belgian surrealist style that complements the hotel’s artistic character. The atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed, and the staff are kind and welcoming — even if service can occasionally be a bit slow.

During my visit, the kitchen seemed to be experiencing some issues, resulting in delays of around 30–45 minutes. To their credit, the staff were apologetic and handled it professionally, removing some items from the bill. Pricing is reasonable for the setting and the hotel’s standing.

The ingredients and overall seasoning were very good — the only issue was the excessive use of salt. Unfortunately, several dishes were so salty that they were almost inedible, particularly the risotto and sea bass. The calamari starter was pleasant if not particularly memorable, and ironically, the bread and tomatoes became the highlight simply because they weren’t oversalted.

Overall, Bocconi has great potential — a beautiful setting, quality ingredients, and genuinely kind staff — but the kitchen urgently needs to reduce the salt levels. I like the ambiance enough to return occasionally, hoping it achieves the level of excellence it’s...

Prenotazione del Pranzo di Natale... una barzelletta!!! Una prenotazione del “pranzo di Natale” fatta con più di un mese in anticipo, soddisfatta nelle richieste di prenotazione. Fin qui (sembra) tutto bene. Ci rechiamo il 25/12 a pranzo, una volta annunciata la nostra prenotazione, ci lasciano ai margini del ristorante, in un angolo, dicendo che vi erano stati dei problemi con la nostra prenotazione. Una volta fatto accomodare tutti i commensali, dopo 10 minuti o forse più di attesa. Ci accolgono riferendoci di averci mandato “5/6 mail” e aver fatto “diverse chiamate” perché la carta di credito (data per il fermo menù) non era stata accettata. Ci scusiamo e rimandiamo il tutto fornendo un’altra carta, la risposta è stata “mi spiace ma non abbiamo tenuto il tavolo.” Chiediamo come sia potuto accadere, mail non ce ne sono arrivate (nemmeno negli spam o altro) chiamate tanto meno. E saremo stati attenti al tutto, visto che essendo il giorno di Natale, premeva non aver problemi, soprattutto in un paese straniero. Ma nulla, siamo stati resegati così. Alla fine, andandoci indispettiti, il cameriere ha esordito (in italiano, dopo un’intera discussione in inglese) con: “se ci lasciate il numero dopo vi chiamo.” Lasciare il numero?! Ma mica avevano già provato a chiamare?! A prescindere da tutto, il luogo era ben arredato, i pasti a buffet sembravano ben presentati. Ma per un posto del genere, nonostante le problematiche riscontrate, avrei tenuto quel tavolo per 3 persone, non perdendosi così in un bicchier d’acqua. Nessun cliente vale meno dell’altro, essere nelle guide Michelin vuol dire aver un occhio di riguardo, per chiunque.

Auguro a tutto lo staff Buon Natale. ◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇ Booking of Christmas Lunch ... a joke !!! A reservation of the "Christmas lunch" made more than a month in advance, satisfied in the booking requests. So far (it seems) all right. We go on 25/12 for lunch, once our reservation has been announced, they leave us at the edge of the restaurant, in a corner, saying that there were problems with our reservation. Once you have made all the diners sit, after 10 minutes or maybe more waiting. They welcome us by referring to having sent us "5/6 mail" and having made "several calls" because the credit card (given for the menu stop) had not been accepted. We apologize and postpone everything by providing another card, the answer was "I'm sorry but we didn't keep the table." We ask how it could have happened, e-mails did not arrive (not even in spam or other), much less calls. And we would have been attentive to everything, since being Christmas day, he was pressing to have no problems, especially in a foreign country. But nothing, we have been relegated to this. In the end, going annoyed, the waiter made his debut (in Italian, after an entire discussion in English) with: "if you leave us the number, I'll call you." Leave the number ?! But mica had already tried to call ?! Regardless, the place was well appointed, the buffet meals seemed well presented. But for such a place, despite the problems encountered, I would have kept that table for 3 people, not getting lost in a glass of water. No customer is worth less than the other, being in the Michelin guides means having an eye for everyone. I wish all the staff a...