Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper), A new survey has revealed that the eating habits of Belgians may be changing.
Trade federation Comeos says that the poll it commissioned shows Belgians go less often to restaurants and more often to fast food places.
The survey shows attendance in restaurants is down 10.8 percent compared to 2019 while the opposite applies to fast food chains where business has rocketed from 9.4 percent to 17.1 percent over the last four years.
But there is at least one excellent Brussels eating establishment that is bucking the trend – and flying the flag in other ways too.
L’Orchidee Blanche is a long-established, well-respected, and fondly regarded Vietnamese resto in Ixelles.
Compared to falling attendance at many restos in Belgium its loyal army of customers ensures that the complete opposite is the case at L’Orchidee Blanche.
The place is often packed out even during traditionally quitter periods and its enduring popularity continues to grow apace.
They say that good news travels fast and, in the case of this resto, news about L’Orchidee Blanche has spread as far as the EU Quarter in Brussels, home to the European Commission, Council, and Parliament.
Eurocrats from these EU institutions and other related places have made this the restaurant of their choice be it for lunch or dinner even though it may be located several kilometres away from their workplace.
It is a sign of how popular it continues to be despite the slump elsewhere, particularly since the pandemic.
The reason is, in fact, not too hard to work out.
The quality of the Vietnamese food here and the equally impressive and friendly welcome afforded to clients is an obvious explanation as to why it remains a “must visit” eating place for so many.
The restaurant is a trendsetter in other ways too.
It must be one of the few, if not the only one, in Belgium that practices what it preaches about gender equality.
The Vietnamese-born owner, the very welcoming Katia Nguyen, is female as are virtually all her staff, both in the kitchen and front-of-house.
These include Yi, who hails from Saigon, Huong, Thuy, and Linh, each of whom moves effortlessly and very gracefully among the guests to serve quite delicious food prepared by chefs Trinh and Duyen.
The fact that the staff hail originally from Vietnam (often through their parentage as several are Belgian born) goes someway to explaining why the lovely dishes they prepare and serve here are so authentic. Most have also worked here for at least ten years (some over two decades) which must be a testament to their and Katia’s mutual loyalty and affection.
The menu is a big choice (and very reasonably priced) and there is something for everyone. It may not be easy trying to select from such a mouth-watering list but Yi and her colleagues take great pleasure in easing customers through the menu to ensure they make the right choice for themselves.
It might be useful, especially for newcomers to this terrific resto, to know which are, it seems, among customer favorites.
These include Boeuf du Rangoon served with fresh citronnelle and piquant and poulet croquant with ginger. The Riz Royal, steamed bar fish and scampis with a thousand flavours and pepper.
There are any number of soups as well as fish, beef, chicken, pork, and noodle dishes to choose from along with three “specialties” of the house: La fondue du golfe du Siam; La fondue Vietnamienne imperial and La table de riz conviviale.
The dessert list, comprising yet more Vietnamese classics, and the drink and wine list are equally impressive but here again, the affable staff will help if you are unsure what to opt for.
There is also a very affordable lunch menu (€16.50pp) which changes weekly and is served on weekdays consisting of a choice of four starters and four mains.
The eye-catching appearance of the staff is another reason to pencil a visit here in on your “things to do” in 2024. Why? Well, without giving too much away they must be some of the most beautifully dressed restaurant staff you will see anywhere in Belgium.
Even here, Katia goes to great lengths to ensure things are just perfect. Whenever she visits Asia she makes a point of coming back with very beautifully made tunics and “costumes” which her equally beautiful team adorn when at work in the resto.
Very useful in this busy area, you can park (for a small fee) at the supermarket car park on the same street.
You know when you are doing well when no less a figure than the United States ambassador (complete with bodyguards and entourage) pays a visit as happened here very recently.
The restaurant already has lots of bookings for parties/groups in January and a couple of real treats await early in 2024: The Vietnamese New Year on 10 February and Valentine’s Day. Highly recommended.
Chau.de Boondael 436, Ixelles
02 647 5621
