La Paix

Brussels, Belgium

Dating back to 1892, the history of La Paix is entwined with that of Anderlecht's abattoirs, from which it used to procure its meat. Indeed, the neo-classical building was a favourite end-of-the-day eating spot for local butchers and meat wholesalers for decades. That all changed in 2004, when award-winning chef David Martin took over the restaurant, waving goodbye to its steak-and-frites brasserie staples. Now the dining room – all dark woods and contemporary artwork, complete with 1,000 origami cranes shimmering and fluttering overhead – is the setting for a multicultural menu that blends French, Belgian and Japanese cookery. Watch the open kitchen as ambitious dishes are immaculately prepared (the set menu, whether lunch or dinner, is for the whole table), the likes of a silky savoury chawanmushi, served à la coque; gyoza with Basque pork, mussels and porcini mushrooms; John Dory wrapped in a vine leaf with smoked eel under the skin; brill-filled mochi; and sweet-and-sour asparagus, rounded out with the presentation of a saké masu.

Key Information

• Average price per person $174
• Tasting menu from $279
• Lunch: Thurs – Fri Dinner: Tues – Fri
• +32 2 523 09 58
• Visit La Paix's Website

Location

Koningstraat 103, Anderlecht, Brussels, 1070 Bruxelles