Don’t say we didn’t warn you: at Julien Othomene’s pastry shop, you won’t find any Belgian bolus, apple gosettes, or croustillons… Here, it’s all about French pastries! Because before opening this little shop done up in shades of grey in the center of the Tenbosch neighborhood, the pastry chef honed his skills in France, most notably at the Bristol in Paris and at the Domaine du Castellas in Provence. And even if he did a few stints at the fine dining restaurants Zilte in Antwerp and the Chalet de la Forêt in Uccle, he still only showcases French classics in his long window display: gigantic individual saint-honorés, with caramel between the layers of puff pastry that we can really get behind; a stunning Pépite that combines passion fruit, mango and coconut; seasonal fruit tarts (lemon, rhubarb, etc.) that are perfectly balanced… or, for something more regional, Aigues-Mortes fougasse (an orange blossom brioche cake) that is just as delicious under the summer heat as it is under the grey skies of Brussels. All of which can be taken to go or devoured immediately in the elegant Provence farmhouse-inspired dining room, with a house blend from the barista if you’re in the mood for a cup of coffee. // Boby Lapinte
The hidden gem: The must-try three vanilla tartlet (vanilla from Mauritius, Reunion Island and Mexico), made on a rum-soaked cookie base, with a layer of coconut cream, all topped with an incredible vanilla mousse (€8.50 each).
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