Magneùs d’Pèlotes

A big family-style restaurant in the countryside between Liège and Namur, where guests trickle in… this is where self-taught chef Jehan Delbruyère transforms his kitchen into an intimate stage. The day we went, the feast of 10 plates included: hummus paired with a slightly sweet miso; white asparagus and hamachi from the Scheldt River swimming in a smoked sunchoke purée; baby Sichuan pepper leaves, nibbled in the garden, plus whipped butter with fresh orange and citrus from Brumenil in Liège; lamb cajoled by a potato purée with Mexican hyssop; and for the final flavor bomb, azuki bean ice cream with fermented blackcurrant, served with a crispy canelé. At Magneùs d’Pèlotes, everything is sourced from Walloon (except for the fish from the North Sea on occasion) and enhanced by culinary techniques passed down through generations, along with a love for wood-fired cooking. Each meal is a reflection of the terroir, experienced and narrated with passion, for a true garden-to-table experience. // Sacha

FEELING THIRSTY? Jehan pairs his 10 courses with 10 alcoholic beverages or seven alcohol-free libations, which are measured but sharp, including things like L’Ermitage beer; a muscaris blanc from Dalaheim Castellum; Liatiko, a Cretan rosé produced by Iliana Malixin; and À Deux Pas, a syrah from Jean-François Jacouton.

PRICE: Tasting menu €95 (with food and non-alcoholic drink pairings) and €110 (with food and wine pairings).