Something cool is brewing in Molenbeek! Behind this brick and concrete spot is Naoufel, who already made a gamble with his streetwear boutique (the now closed Knits & Treats) across the canal, before transforming this 120-square-meter space on Quai du Hainaut into a haven for coffee lovers. Here, artisan-crafted furniture goes hand in hand with specialty beans and laid-back lunches, to be enjoyed near the shop front, in the back room or even directly at the kitchen counter. Behind the gleaming Spirit espresso machine designed by Kees van der Westen, you’ll find Mehdi (formerly of Mok), while over in the kitchen, Ashraf (also ex-Mok) mans the stoves, cooking puffy flatbreads made to order and garnished with good things like cabbage and samphire braised in brown butter and topped with crispy onions, or pulled chicken in lemongrass sauce. Also on the menu, an oeuf parfait paired with sauteed carrots, cashew cream, chervil, basil and fried shallots, as well as Basque cheesecake – which unfortunately missed the mark this time round. As for the level of cool, no doubt about it, it was up there. // Amanda Loose
FEELING THIRSTY? Replica Roasters’ beans available every which way (€3-5), a staple matcha for those who don’t do coffee (€5) and Cuarenta’s craft sodas (€4.50 for 330 ml).
PRICE: Savory options €7.50 to €14, sweets €3-6.
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