Discover Spinola: A romantic gem in Bruges with an open kitchen, herb-infused dishes, and over 100 wines
In the heart of the picturesque city of Bruges lies a gem of a restaurant called Spinola. This romantic eatery, run by the husband-and-wife team of Vicky and Sam, has been serving up Flemish top gastronomy for more than 25 years. The restaurant's cozy size, with its narrow layout and charming romantic details, makes it the perfect spot for a special evening out.
We always look forward to returning to this favorite places. My taste buds come to life as soon as I think of this coming memorable moment. One of these gems where we feel at home is restaurant Spinola in Bruges, a restaurant that we discovered a few years ago.
One of the standout features of Spinola is its open kitchen. Here, the chef-herbologist uses an incredible array of herbs from his own garden to give his dishes a unique and specific touch. Everything from bread to pastry is made in-house, and the kitchen respects the seasons when it comes to sourcing ingredients, whether from the sea, land, or river.
Guests can choose to dine downstairs or upstairs, where a setting of Burgundy stone and gold leaf lighting provides a stunning backdrop. The upstairs area can also be rented for private events, accommodating groups of up to 26 people. From this vantage point, diners can look straight into the bustling kitchen, where Sam works his magic.
At our first visit, and we were immediately charmed by the warm and inviting atmosphere. The restaurant's stepped gable and prime location on the Jan van Eyckplein added to the romantic ambiance. In the summer, we were pleased to discover a lovely terrace on the square, where we could enjoy the balmy evenings.
But of course, the true highlight of the evening was the food. Spinola's commitment to using fresh and flavorful ingredients was evident in every dish we sampled. Some of our favorites included the baked Breton langoustines, which were topped with a white chive and tomato butter sauce, and the Wadden Sea mussels, which were molded into the shape of a shell and flavored with 14 different herbs from the garden. The Canadian lobster was another standout dish, cooked in a strongly spiced stock and served with a white chablis butter sauce and a touch of lemongrass. And the French pigeon from Bresse, baked in the Molteni and accompanied by Bresaola, a rosemary reduction, and a colorful garnish, was simply divine.
Our favorites:
Baked Breton langoustines topped with a white chive and tomato butter sauce
Wadden Sea mussels with fourteen herbs from our own garden brought into molded mussel shape
A Canadian lobster cooked in strongly spiced stock, topped with a white chablis butter sauce and lemon grass.
A French pigeon from Bresse in love with truffles baked in the Molteni, assisted by Bresaola, reduction of rosemary and fine colorful decoration.
All in all, our visit to Spinola was a memorable and delightful experience. The restaurant's focus on using fresh, seasonal ingredients and its commitment to crafting dishes with care and attention to detail were apparent in every bite. And with Vicky and Sam's warm hospitality and spontaneity, we truly felt at home. We're already looking forward to our next visit to this wonderful Bruges restaurant.
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https://www.spinola.be/ - 8000 Bruges, Spinolarei 1 - +32 50 34 17 85 - info@spinola.be
