The glass and the plate in the shadow of the Palais de Justice

Some neighborhoods in Brussels have always been used to delight both the taste buds and the spirit of their visitors.
Knowing a new youth thanks to the arrival of the new Ferris wheel which illuminates the Brussels nights since the place Poelaert, the Haute street - one of the oldest of the capital - always welcomed houses of great interest and the Wine Bar of Marolles magnificently illustrates this truth.
Ideal landing place when one went to indulge in the pleasures of the Brocante of the Game of Ball, this Wine bar, in spite of what one could suppose the name, is much more than a simple counter for amateurs of the juice of the trellis, even if the cellar is rather remarkable.
Nothing but its timeless and old-fashioned and yet delightfully warm setting calls for a visit from the discerning lover.

Discoveries favorite

Behind this very nice concept, we find Vincent Thomaes, the very one that we have known for nearly a quarter of a century at the Château du Mylord, in Ellezelles, in the heart of the country of the Hills.
It was there that with his brothers, he operated one of the finest gourmet institutions in Wallonia.
Wishing to go on his own, he left the family home in 2007 to disembark in Brussels where, as a sommelier by training, he first took up the famous Wine Bar in the rue des Pigeons, just a step away from the Grand Sablon.
Four years later, he moved not far from there, rue Haute, in the heart of the famous district of Marolles to open this new version of a great formula.
Thus, alongside a selection of wines that are necessarily magnificent, and favoring "heart-throb" discoveries with great clichés, Vincent Thomaes presents in the field of solid a series of preparations based primarily on the product.

Grandmothers' cooking

At his side, for the management of the cellar part, he has the benefit of the experience of Xavier Merueys, a young passionate from Vaison-la-Romaine who has no equal to discover raw wines out of the box .
Same skill in the kitchen with the personal touch of Angelica Petrache, who has no equal to find the gourmet sensibility of Vincent Thomaes for the charm of the kitchen of our grandmothers ...

The map is divided into two parts, one is almost permanent, the other varies with the seasons ...
On arrival, this gives memorable moments of the table, such as the sharing of a nice plate of "Iberian ham", an irreproachable "duck foie gras cooked in a dish towel" flanked by a delicious jam of onions, as well as a simply delicious 'pig tongue salad' nicely spiced up with a nice anchovy vinaigrette.

Maritime notes

Still in the mode of sharing, let's also note, among many others, more maritime notes, with an impeccable plate of "wild sea knives, herb butter" of insolent freshness as well as a portion of "squid fresh, sweet peppers ", with a perfect texture and a magnificent perfume, before returning to earth with the succulent" snails of the farm of Ourchet, herbs and bacon farmer ", magnificent gastropods raised close to of Gembloux.

Lots of choice

In a big room, that is spoiled for choice, with, for example, a magnificent portion of "Aubrac beef cheek braised with red wine, mashed celery", both melting and fragrant to perfection or, in according to the season, a very beautiful "calf sweetbread with chanterelles", as well cooked as it is high in flavor ...

Still in the mode of sharing, let's also note, among many others, more maritime notes, with an impeccable plate of "wild sea knives, herb butter" of insolent freshness as well as a portion of "squid fresh, sweet peppers ", with a perfect texture and a magnificent perfume, before returning to earth with the succulent" snails of the farm of Ourchet, herbs and bacon farmer ", magnificent gastropods raised close to Gembloux.

Finally, for dessert the dilemma of choice crunching, for example, for "roasted pineapple, orange and ice scent", while light and perfect to complete a generous course.

A very pleasant evening, therefore, in a house adjoined by a fun shop that plays as well the privatization card for tastings for example but which is also a small wine counter, a fine grocery store and even ... a small flea market!

The Marolles Wine Bar, 198 rue Haute
at 1000 Brussels.
Such. 02 / 503.62.50.
Open for dinner from Thursday to Sunday and
for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.