La Ruche Steak & Ribs - Saint Gilles — Restaurant in Saint-Gilles - Sint-Gillis

Me and a friend came here for lunch before our train to London due to the location.

First impressions, the restaurant looked good from the outside and the head waiter came quickly to greet us and have us seated, we informed him that we had to be at the train station in about an hour.

One would assume that this would be an indication on the attentiveness of the rest of our meal here, but it became clear very quickly after this that it would not be the case.

Firstly, the table where we were seated was partly set up with no effort to set the table correctly.

Two different waiters and a waitress were incredibly attentive and keen to take our order and serve our drinks.

This made us feel quite rushed to order our meal, but not the worst part of the meal as we would soon find out.

We were served some bread and our drinks.

Within 5 minutes later the head waiter came back and took the bottles of soda we ordered pouring them into our glasses, which was a bit strange and wholly unnecessary.

Another 15 minutes later I received part of my meal (burrata with some salad), I requested some more bread.

I expected my friends meal and the rest of my meal (fries) to arrive shortly afterwards, this was not the case.

Another 10 minutes later the head waiter came back to our table and asked me if everything is okay, as I had not started to eat my meal. I said no as my friends meal and the remainder of my meal has not arrived. He told me I should start as it won't be long and I I asked why they would only serve part of one of my meals and asked again if I may have some more bread and he walked off saying he was going to go check on things.

It took another 8 minutes for my friends food to arrive and the fries, but no sign of the bread, I did ask this other server if someone was going to bring more bread and he said he would "go check".

As my friend tucked into his meal, the first bite of the burger he ordered revealed that the bun was stale and completely dried out, For just shy of €20 this was incredibly disappointing and he barely took 2 bites.

It took another 10 minutes to see another waiter, the head waiter again this time who asked "is everything okay", my friend explained that no the bun was stale and it just not an enjoyable meal at all and the wait was so long despite explaining how we needed to be at a train station in an hour when we arrived at the restaurant.

The head waiter had the audacity to argue with my friend asking him "how is it stale" and my friend had to demonstrate how dry the bin was where it was literally falling apart.

We explained that we didn't have time for them to prepare another, the head waiter said "okay I will go check" and we never saw him again.

The head waiter at this place was shockingly bad, there was a young waiter and waitress who were very polite and apologetic when we saw them towards the end.

We were in a rush to leave and hadn't seen a waiter in a while, I tried to flag down the head waiter and he pretended not to see me.

I went to the counter to pay for my portion of the meal which was fortunately edible, but waited for 5 minutes for the person running the till to take a phone call.

When I explained that I only wanted to pay for part of the bill he said "yes no problem", in my ruah to actually get paid so I could make my train I hadn't noticed that he charges me for the entire meal.

My friend wants to go in and complain and only pay for the drink and fries as that's all he consumed but was told that our bill had been settled.

If we had the time, and could actually flag down the head waiter who made himself scarce we would have complained and refused to pay for that terrible burger.

Absolutely avoid this place as they care more about their appearances and valet service than being a decent restaurant.

If I could give this place 0 stars I would.

I mostly give positive reviews for restaurants and focus on the good, but this was...

Upon entering through the front doors, the yellow lighting greeted us with a warm embrace. The decor was simple yet exquisite, with a classy touch to it. The atmosphere was extremely well balanced - quiet, but not dull. A perfect environment for a romantic date. Being thoroughly impressed, already, one can only hope the food would be as good as our surrounding. And I can surely say it definitely was. The Sirloin Steak and Honey Barbecue Ribs were our choices of the night. The steak was neatly plated with pinches of salt scattered across. Cutting it up felt like a knife through butter and you can observe the picturesque perfection of a medium rare done-ness. The bite into it was one of true passion and flavour. The ribs, nicely served on a long platter was deboned aesthetically by the waiter. The bones slid out so smoothly like a wonderful performance. One single bite and I was amazed. The honey barbecue sauce spread out evenly throughout each piece but did not overwhelm the authentic flavour of the ribs itself. The combination of both flavours painted the perfect balance of light and dark, making a true, whole taste. The aftermath? Super clean plates with not a single piece of meat left.

This place felt truly surreal. It didn’t strike me as possible that such a perfect place wouldn’t be flooding with customers through the night. It was like discovering a hidden gem through mines, making one desperate to announce their discovery but yet gatekeep the experience to themselves. My greatest fear can only be the increasing exposure which would lead to a drop in the quality upon my next visit which is common among many restaurants. Either ways, a truly memorable experience in Europe and I can say with certainty that I will be patronising this place again.

P.S. My girlfriend was really pissed and the food actually made her...

January 1st 2024 we visited this steakhouse 🥩 Indulging in the culinary excellence at this steakhouse was an absolute delight. The standout feature undoubtedly was the ribs—cooked to perfection, each bite was a symphony of flavors that left an indelible mark on my taste buds. The succulence and rich, smoky notes made it the best ribs I've ever had.

Accompanying the ribs was a side of sweet potato that elevated the dining experience to new heights. The sweet potato was not only delicious but also expertly prepared, offering a delectable contrast to the savory goodness of the ribs.

To complement the meal, I opted for their tea served in a pot. The tea was not just a beverage; it was an experience in itself. Served piping hot, it exuded a comforting aroma, and the nuanced flavors danced on my palate with each sip. It was the perfect conclusion to a remarkable dining adventure.

Moreover, the ambiance and service added to the overall satisfaction. The staff was attentive, friendly, and contributed to the welcoming atmosphere. The attention to detail in both the cuisine and service truly sets this steakhouse apart.

In conclusion, if you're a connoisseur of ribs, appreciate a perfectly cooked sweet potato, and enjoy a well-brewed pot of tea, this steakhouse is a must-visit. It's a gastronomic journey that I wholeheartedly recommend, and I eagerly anticipate my next visit to relish the extraordinary culinary...