Karel de Stoute — Restaurant in Ghent

Karel de Stoute was the last Duke of Bourgondy, a dynasty that not only grouped more or less for the first time different regions in what is now the Netherlands and Belgium but it also gave flemish people the connotation of being 'bourgondiers' (meaning people who enjoy excellent food and drinks). However,'stoute' can be wrongly translated as 'bad'...so I do was wondering how I would enjoy the evening here, given also that some reviews only gave 4 stars. There is no doubt for me that the food is of excellent quality and the whines each time combined as it should be. The presentation, ingredients, and taste are worth without any doubt the 15 rating of Gault Millault. But... I can understand some of the reviews on the service, and we experienced some small mistakes, but they rather influenced my feelings in a positive way. Some of the sous-chefs I assume are doing their traineeship here, and hence, they still need to reach perfection. Investing time as a chef in these new talents is also important for me. But even more importantly, their enthusiasm about the dishes created and the proud way they present it to you makes it clear that they love what they are doing, and that makes you feel privileged to be enjoying what they created. And even if the small mistakes in the service were for me a non-event, we did get the tea on the house. So the whole concept matches with the name of the restaurant...as the correct translation of 'stoute' is not 'bad': it is the bold, the brave. For me, there is no doubt that a 5 star rating is the only...

Service here was super friendly, very correct and with an honest smile, you can tell. When I compare it to other fine dining experiences I noticed a bit of a distance between personnel and guests, but I think that might be the classical way of doing it, of which I'm not a fan.

Now, the food was extremely well made. I loved the dishes. They were real pieces of art. Choices of meat/fish were a bit classical, but the preparations were definitely not. The kitchen showed some true creativity and skills here. Quality products were used and presented expertly.

One downside for me perhaps is that I lacked a non-alcoholic version of the wine pairing option. And I wasn't buying the "it's too difficult to pair with our food". You all showed me that you have excellent skills in the kitchen, you got this.

As a tea sommelier I was pretty disappointed in the quality of the tea. You can tell it already if the leaves unfold and they're broken leaves. I know it happens often in Belgium, but still, a jasmine tea shouldn't have a brown liquid and only faintly smell of jasmine. Which was actually sad because on the other hand the madeleines that came with it were, hands down, the BEST ones we EVER HAD. Like, amazingly good. I mean 'I would give your patissier a raise' type of good.

So all in all, really lovely service, lovely food and lovely...

The food was amazing. Unfortunately, the service from Lien was not. Today I wrote them with the motive of my reservation being my boyfriend‘s 50 birthday celebration. I asked them if they could bring something as a surprise with the dessert, so my boyfriend could at least blow a candle. They answered, and I copy literally the reply: „Yes, we can do that for you.“ After waiting and waiting, it never arrived. Moreover, making the table ready for one of the dishes, Lien threw my glass of wine (which you need to pay extra with the menu, since it is not included). The normal thing that you expect as a customer (if it was her fault) is that she will bring you a new glass and refill it. Well, it did not happen. Definititely not a good experience. Pity for the cooks, who are...