The best friendships make the best stories! Once upon a time, Sam Janssens and Laurens Jasperse met at school, worked together at the Yust hotel group, witnessed one of their weddings, and eventually launched Orbit. Originally dreamed up as a mobile fried-chicken stand for nearly a decade, they’ve now gone bricks-and-mortar in an old hairdressers. The result? A striking neo-bistro designed by Nick Bal (walnut veneer, oversized speakers, artwork by Kaspar Dejong), where Laurens (also ex-Eppo) has broadened the menu well beyond their cult poultry: fresh trofie pasta made by his father, served al dente with chicken jus and a carpeting of breadcrumbs; juicy chicken breast lavishly coated in vin jaune sauce, served with fries, homemade mayo and salad; and a clever sweet-and-savory combo of grilled cauliflower on white beans, samphire and plantain, finished with a silky sake mousseline. And that legendary fried chicken? Still very much on the menu: golden, gloriously crispy and seasoned with the secret spice blend that built their reputation. In a hurry? Grab some to go from the takeaway window next door, open from Sunday through Tuesday. · Mina Perlemousse

Feeling thirsty? Bottles made for sharing among friends (like Cluricaun Skin from Quinta do Montalto, north of Lisbon at €40) and others reserved major for friendship milestones (Les Insolites, a Jura Savagnin from Domaine Labet at €135). Plus an impressive alcohol-free lineup from Norway (Arensbak at €9 a glass) and Belgium (Alter Cuvée at €10).

Price: Snacks €2.50 to €22, sharing plates €16-20, à la carte €58-70.