No idea about the food. We reserved a table for 2 (days in advance) at 20h30. We arrived a bit early, around 19h45. The waiter said he would have our table ready 45 mins later, so we went for a drink at Botlo down the street. (Botlo is highly recommended by the way.) But when we returned at 20h30, he guided us to a dark corner inside the restaurant, and said that was the only place where we could sit. I then noticed there were still 3 free tables outside. It had rained a bit earlier, and the tables were still wet, but I was confident that the weather would remain dry, and so I asked if we could simply wipe one of those tables dry such that we could still eat outside. What happened next was unimagineable: the owner became very agitated all of a sudden. He said he had moved some people inside earlier due to the rain, and so we couldn't use one of those tables outside, because otherwise the people which he moved inside would complain. So he yelled that even if he would dry up those tables, the people inside would get 'priority' over us for some reason. Even though we reserved days in advance? It's clear that this douchebag simply overbooked his capacity and was at fault, yet he started shouting at us (in front of everyone who was eating there) as if we were criminals. We will never ever go there again !! Basic manners and respect for your guests are a must in every restaurant. So we went to Juan Luis, where an extremely friendly waiter immediately wiped a table dry and asked if we wanted to sit outside. We then had a perfect meal (with a great wine) at Juan Luis, enjoying the friendliness of the owner and his staff. If you want to eat tapas in Hasselt, definitely go to Juan Luis instead of...
Read moreUw Zuster is a gem right in the heart of Hasselt! The central location makes it incredibly convenient, and stepping inside reveals a wonderfully cool, contemporary ambiance that sets the perfect tone for an evening out. What makes this place special is their approach to Belgian cuisine with traditional flavors reimagined as tapas-style sharing plates. Every dish we tried was expertly crafted and bursting with flavor, making it perfect for exploring different tastes with friends. The sharing concept creates such a fun, social experience. The staff deserves special mention: they were not only kind and welcoming but also efficient, ensuring our Sunday lunch flowed seamlessly. This is exactly the kind of place that makes Hasselt’s food...
Read moreEen ronduit teleurstellende ervaring.
Ik had ruim op voorhand gereserveerd voor een groep van zestien personen, en duidelijk gemaakt dat ik dit ernstig en zorgvuldig organiseerde. Naarmate de datum naderde, werd ik tot tweemaal toe gecontacteerd met de waarschuwing dat elke afwijking van het aantal deelnemers extra in rekening zou worden gebracht. Dat alleen al getuigt van een benepen ingesteldheid voor een huis dat zich gastvrij en professioneel zou moeten noemen.
Uiteindelijk waren wij met twaalf. Twaalf gasten die gegeten hebben, gedronken, aperitieven besteld — zonder enige gierigheid. Mag men niet verwachten dat een restaurant van enig niveau zonder moeite twaalf eters kan bedienen, zelfs spontaan, zonder dit soort kleinzielige rekenkunde?
Bij het betalen merkte de zogenaamde “verantwoordelijke” kil op dat hij mij, als “gunst”, veertien in plaats van zestien couverts aanrekende. Een gunst? Een wel heel vreemde interpretatie van gastvrijheid. Wij waren met twaalf, wij hebben ruim geconsumeerd en correct betaald, en toch wist men het moment te vergallen met bekrompenheid en gebrek aan grootmoedigheid.
Geen glimlach, geen warmte, geen spoor van generositeit. Alleen het gevoel dat hier alles draait om centen tellen, en dat men van echte gastvrijheid niets begrepen heeft.
Ik zou volgende week opnieuw terugkomen, maar ik ben nu al op zoek naar een ander adres. Voor mij nooit meer. En wie waarde hecht aan echte convivialiteit en gastvrijheid, doet er goed aan dit restaurant links te...
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