restaurant

Epicerie Nomad

Epicerie Nomad (Brussels)

  • Dates

    Published on

    Updated on

  • share

Ceci n’est pas une épicerie… at least it’s not an épicerie anymore. Within these walls, you’ll now find the latest restaurant from Jean Callens, a chef who has cooking in his blood, and who reestablished himself in the Ixelles neighborhood after leaving his Callens Café. Located a few meters from Audrey Hepburn’s birthplace (an anecdote to sprinkle into the conversation at your next dinner party), the chef has preserved all the warm features of a neighborhood épicerie (a big counter, a timeless Berkel scale) to welcome customers in as he would to his own home. And the plates are a journey: tuna tataki with a sesame crust, which almost felt meaty, served with peppers, leeks and soy beans cooked in a wok, all of which could have used a little more seasoning; burrata pimped out with truffle cream, arugula and eggplant, plus fried leek tops, which was also a little on the timid side; but some truly beautiful braised octopus with potato and chorizo mash; and for dessert, coconut rice pudding infused with lemongrass, as lovely as it was generous, with a caliente chili coulis and crispy sesame crumble topping. // Bobby Lapinte

FEELING THIRSTY? A wine list with plenty of choice, in which we unearthed a few beautiful natural specimens (like Samso, a red from the Domaine Cazes at €8 a glass or an orange wine from Le Mas Janeil at €43 a bottle, both of which were produced in the Roussillon department), and a non-alcoholic gin for the sober and sober-curious among you (€8).

PRICE: À la carte €42-67.

Save this spot in the Fooding app, available on iOS! Download it now in the app store.

The new Fooding Guide France is now available for preorder!

Inside the sizzling hot 2027 edition: 300 fresh finds from across France, 13 award winners to get excited about (including the best ramen, best bistro and best restaurant!), a special Online / Offline magazine section exploring how we connect – and disconnect – around the table… and even a pull-out supplement for the (cool) kids. What are you waiting for?

The new Fooding Belgium Guide frontcover
PREORDER NOW
About

Le Fooding is a print and digital guide to all the restaurants, chefs, bars, stylish hotels and B&Bs that make up the “taste of the times,” plus an annual awards list for new establishments across France and Belgium, a series of gastronomic events, a tool that allows you to make reservations at some fantastic bistros, and an agency specialized in event planning, content production and consulting…

Fooding® is a registered trademark.