Humus x Hortense — Restaurant in Ixelles - Elsene

Venturing into Humus x Hortense, I was introduced to an entirely new realm of vegan fine dining, and the experience was nothing short of astounding. As Belgium’s first of its kind, the restaurant presents a culinary adventure that is profoundly innovative and deeply rooted in an ethical and plant-based lifestyle.

The genius of Chef Nicolas Decloedt is evident in every dish. Trained in the renowned culinary institute Ter Duinen, his commitment to a plant-based lifestyle and botanical research shines through the exquisite, artful presentations on the plate. Each dish is a testament to his 25 years of ethical cooking, transforming seasonal ingredients into sublime creations.

The meal began with a local Belgian organic gin, setting the tone for the culinary journey ahead. The amuse-bouche intrigued and delighted, followed by an array of meticulously crafted courses. From the pickled turnip on a delicate crumble to the carrot dish accompanied by a vibrant ginger, apple, and carrot drink, each course was a revelation. The wild or wine mushrooms paired with roasted barley and chicory drink were especially memorable, as was the bread with smoky beetroot ketchup.

As the courses progressed, the roasted butternut and butternut gnocchi stood out for their comforting flavors, while the celery/celeriac-based meal demonstrated the power of simplicity and quality ingredients. The ama sake with smoked long black tea provided a rich, deep flavor that perfectly complemented the main course.

Desserts were a poetic conclusion to the meal, with poached pear and yellow beetroot with apple sorbet offering a refreshing, sweet end to the gastronomic experience. The accompanying drinks, especially the rhubarb and lemon, were the perfect pairing, enhancing the flavors of each dessert.

Dining at Humus x Hortense was more than a meal; it was an artistic and sensory journey, reflecting the passion and creativity of everyone involved, from the chefs to the sommeliers. The ambiance, coupled with the warm, attentive service, made for an unforgettable evening. I left feeling inspired and satisfied, eager to return and experience the ever-evolving menu. This restaurant is a true gem for anyone seeking an exceptional vegan...

Most of the food was really really delicious. It was all beautifully presented. The highlight for me throughout was the sauces. There was a pumpkin gnocci served with the most amazing bubbly white wine sauce, a brilliant burnt leek deep sauce, and an asian broth that was one of the nicest I've ever had. I loved the carrot stuffed with apricot mousse, and the apple cigar dish at the end was really exciting.

The beetroot dessert was a bit of a let down for me. There was a delicious mushroom tofu dish, but I wasn't keen on the accompanying mushroom cabbage dish.

The cocktails were great. The wine and beer pairings were not for me. Don't think my taste buds are refined enough to identify 19 lambic flavours!

Like another diner who posted recently, I did find a tiny caterpillar in my cabbage. Certainly didn't spoil my enjoyment of the food, it just shows that the food is fresh, no biggie, and the staff did apologise and carefully transported the little creature to the compost.

I booked several weeks ago as a solo diner, so initially I was really disappointed to be sat at the bar, and almost left. It wasn't the most comfortable seat and I did felt feel I was getting in the way a bit, but the staff were very welcoming and friendly and did their best to make me comfortable on their busy night, so in the end it worked out fine, and interesting to get a genuine insight into the workings of a commercial kitchen.

I definitely recommend this venue, the chef and staff, and overall had...

I really wanted to give them five stars, but unfortunately, the service didn’t meet my expectations.

The food, however, was absolutely outstanding , easily one of the best vegan fine dining experiences I’ve ever had. Every dish was meticulously crafted and thoughtfully presented. It’s definitely a must-try. It’s true the drinks were quite small, but considering the price of the tasting menu, that felt acceptable.

What let the experience down was the service — for several reasons. When I arrived, I was asked to wait at the bar for snacks while everyone else was already seated at tables. I assume my table wasn’t ready. Personally, I would have preferred to wait outside, but I agreed and sat at the bar. Someone from the kitchen came over and kindly offered me a drink. I said yes and received a well-made mezcal cocktail. Given the circumstances , not being seated at a table despite having a reservation and the extremely small pour (about 3cl with ice). I assumed it was complimentary. To my surprise, it appeared on the final bill. It could have been nice to have the gesture of not charging that drink.

When I was finally moved to my table, the server simply stated the names of each dish with no further explanation, while I could hear other tables receiving detailed descriptions and a more engaging service overall.

That said, the quality of the food far outweighed the shortcomings in service. I truly hope to return and see that the hospitality has improved, because the cuisine...