Tuesday 7 september 2021

Havana – The European Metropolis of Lille – Kinshasa – Istanbul – The Brussels-Capital Region

On this evening, the Brussels-Capital Region will showcase the culinary scene in partner cities and regions with which it has concluded bilateral agreements. On the menu are the Havana, Kinshasa, Istanbul and the European Metropolis of Lille, which will take your taste buds on a journey through their authentic and local cuisines. Brussels will not be outdone in this culinary getaway since our region can count on its local ambassadors to offer you the cheese selections from Hauts-de-France and the dessert on the menu.

Doors open at 18:00. Service starts at 18:30 sharp.

Menu

Aperitif of your choice

Cocktail

Mojito (Havana)

Mocktail

Sparkling Mango Lemonade (Havana)

Beers (Brasserie En Stoemelings):

  • La Cuvée Houdini (6%)
    (Subtle and sour amber beer with pomegranate and citrus juice, peels infused at boiling)
  • La Papy Vandepils (4.5%)
    (true bottom-fermented pilsner lager, more bitter than industrial pilsner lager)
  • La Tanteke (6%)
    (Three-grain season (barley, wheat and oats) and verbena)

Bordeaux Wine

  • Crémant de Thieuley, Crémant de Bordeaux, 2018 Sparkling white wine (Cora)
  • Château Penin, Bordeaux Rosé, 2019 Rosé wine (Mondovino)
  • Château Peybonhomme Les Tours – Le Blanc, Bordeaux Blanc, 2019 White wine (Pinot)

Starter

Terrine baked in sourdough bread, onion ice cream (European Metropolis of Lille)

Bordeaux Wine Pairing: Rosé Trois Colones, Bordeaux Rosé, 2019 Rosé wine (Colruyt)

Starter

Goat empanadas, red onion jam, sorrel foam (Kinshasa)

Bordeaux Wine Pairing: Château Fougas Maldoror, Côtes de Bourg, 2018 Red wine (Magnus)

Main Course

Lamb stew with dried fruits, accompanied with pastry coated pilaf (Istanbul)

Bordeaux Wine Pairing: Château Fonréaud, Listrac, 2018 Red wine (De Clerck)

Cheese

Selection of Hauts-de-France cheeses by Le Comptoir du Samson for the European Metropolis of Lille

  • Bleu de Roncq
  • Jolirond
  • Raw-milk farmhouse mimolette
  • Galet boisé

Bordeaux Wine Pairing: Château Haut Coustet, Sauternes, 2017 Sweet wine (Cora)

Dessert

Banana Experience: freshly prepared ice-cream balls, filled with homemade banana ice cream, placed on a puffed rice crumble. Served at your table, alongside an unforgettable experience (Brussels-Capital Region - Vincent Denis Dessert Bar)

Book your table

Havana, Cuba

Cuban cocktails are among the most popular in the world. The mojito, the daiquiri and the Cuba libre are certainly the most well-known. Their success is due to the delicious Cuban rum that forms their base.  There are infinite varieties but they always bring to mind the tropical sun of the Caribbean. 

Kinshasa, DRC

Brussels is lucky enough to be home to a large community of Congolese origin. Matongé, one of the neighbourhoods of Ixelles, owes its name to a neighbourhood in Kinshasa. Kino-Congolese specialities are therefore not difficult to find in the capital. Goat meat, grilled plantain banana, moambe (palm butter) chicken, mitaké (fried doughnut) and many other dishes are common there. 

The European Metropolis of Lille, France

Gastronomy in Lille is made up of six Michelin-starred restaurants, iconic and renowned chefs, young talent, extraordinary pastry chefs and a unique way of blending cultures in an urban and pleasant environment. What about its cuisine? Creativity, terroir and a love of good food.  These three things sum up the dishes finely cooked by chefs.  The gastronomy of Lille, with its boundless generosity, is perfectly aligned with the values of the location, which are conviviality and sharing. Lille and, more generally, the department of Nord can pride itself on its production of excellent cheeses.  The cheese specialities of Hauts-de-France will be presented by Le Comptoir du Samson. 

Istanbul, Turkey

The Turkish community has a strong presence in Brussels. Moreover, it is not uncommon to common across a restaurant or stall serving the famous kebab, doner and lokum. These specialities are only a very small part of what this country has to offer. Dolma (stuffed vegetable), borek (filled pastry), pide (type of pizza) and baklava (dessert filled with nuts), are also just a few other examples of the range of culinary delights from Istanbul.

Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium

We will not insult you by introducing you to Brussels and its specialities. Or should we? However, Vincent Denis Dessert Bar will be the ambassador of Brussels for this evening. Vincent Denis, named Best Belgian Chef 2014, does genuine gastronomic patisserie served “à l’assiette”, or as individually-sized dishes.