La Belle Équipe

La Belle Équipe was, by far, the Brussels opening I was most excited about this year.

It’s the team behind Nightshop that has taken over the space formerly occupied by Aster, with chef Théo running the kitchen.

As a huge fan of both Nightshop and Théo’s cooking, I definitely walked through the doors of this little restaurant on Rue Antoine Dansaert with high expectations – and it did not disappoint.

The space is small and narrow, with an open kitchen at the front and a second room in the back with one long table for larger groups. It’s had a subtle makeover since the previous tenants, and with just a few changes to the tables and lighting, Jocasta, the owner of both restaurants, has worked some serious magic. It feels cozier and more intimate, with the same laid-back vibe as Nightshop, while still feeling incredibly elegant.

The service is just like the place itself: relaxed but really on point. We started with a little amuse-bouche of tomato water and fig leaf oil, and got some great wine recommendations throughout the evening.

And then there’s the food. Théo is definitely one of the chefs I’ll be keeping an eye on in Brussels this year. His cooking is incredibly precise, the technique is spot-on, and his flavor combinations are seriously impressive. Highlights for me included the zucchini velouté with crab, langoustine and fig leaf oil (€24), the tomato salad with lobster and tomato water (€27), the tuna tostadas with smoked chili oil (€12), the corn-fed chicken with vin jaune and vinegar fries (€32), and the affogato for dessert (€9).

Actually, everything was a highlight.

I left the restaurant genuinely moved, and pretty convinced I’d just found one of my new favorite spots in Brussels.