Henri

Oh, hey there trilingual vibes and pottekeis appetizers. Here at Henri, the message is clear: you’re is Brussels! Downtown Dansaert actually, to be precise, which brothers Sven and Jurgen Campens (also behind Café Monk) have been returning to a sense of authenticity for the past 20 years now. Seated in a slightly chilly dining room (immaculate walls, blond wood, neon wall lights, an anachronistic aquarium), we dug into some of Jurgen’s tapas-style plates: mouthwatering black angus beef tongue with Parmesan and vinaigrette; palourde clams with a zing of ponzu and chili – to die for; or even some unusual endive gratin croquettes. Feeling famished? The chef also sends out three- and four-course menus, and a handful of mains (which are quite expensive), including lacquered Holstein beef ribs or sweetbreads with truffle. And for the specialty dessert, try the Catalan cream espuma with mixed berries and vanilla ice cream, as pleasant as the end of summer on La Rambla. One last thing: as this is a predominantly Flemish spot, Friday lunch is all about fish! // Jean Gourmand

FEELING THIRSTY? Belgian brews (Fou’ Foune from Cantillon or Muscar-elle from Lambiek Fabriek at €30 and €25 for 750 ml) and a wine list that covers France, Italy, Spain and Portugal: Splash!, a Monbazillac pet’ nat’ from Château Barouillet, or Humus, an orange wine from Rodrigo Filipe in Lisbon (by the glass, €9 and €10), plus La Mamette, a Chardonnay ouillé from Loreline Laborde in the Jura (€56 a bottle), or Ciauria, an Etna red from Pietro Caciorgna (€40).

PRICE: Lunch €26 (€29 on Friday), tapas €12-29, mains €21-39, desserts €11-13, set menus €57 and €72 (dinner).