Dining

Brouge

Following the success of its first venue in Twickenham, Brouge came to Richmond in 2008 to excite diners with its modern Belgian bistro.

It is situated near the River Thames in the basement of a Waterstone’s bookshop and due to local council restrictions on display, it can be easily missed. This hidden gem won’t disappoint, offering a true dining experience with well informed staff ready to tell you about the flavours of the Brouge.

Brouge offers its guests the opportunity to sample a wealth of tasty Belgian inspired cuisine with a hint of modern British influence, by using fresh local produce delivered to the door daily. Your waiter can even tell you about the butcher who makes the sausages especially for your meal.

With the restaurant being situated in the basement, it offers customers a unique experience. The architectural characteristics include high ceilings, archways, cubby holes, and good acoustics, everything you’d expect in a classic wine cellar.

As you walk in, you’ll be impressed with the nice, cosy and chilled out ambiance that is created by the atmosphere, delicious smells, and the character of the building. So it’s perfect for an intimate and informal dining experience. The characteristics are suitable for those who like to hold informal business meetings.

Greeted courteously by staff and seated swiftly guests feel welcomed and relaxed. The spacious seating area has wooden decor all around. It definitely gives that original feel to the place.

Now, enough about the interior and more about the menu. Brouge offers traditional Belgian dishes as well as dishes with a twist of British influence. There are a handful of menus with quality dishes that change on a daily basis and most of these are priced under £10, so expect a unique dining experience that is value for money. The best deal to date is the two course set menu and drink for £9.95.

The focus at Brouge is on carefully sourced produce with suppliers such as Vickers Game in Berkshire supplying the finest quality English meat and game, to local award winning butcher Bruce Ricketts who previously won best pork sausage at the North West London Butcher’s Association. Fresh mussels come from local Sandy’s Fishmongers, the largest and oldest fishmongers in the Richmond area with a strong reputation stretching back over 20 years.

For starters, you can enlighten yourself with Honey Spiced Lambiek Beer Ribs with Chilli and Spring Onion (£5.95), a sweet dish definitely worth trying. Or try the Soup of the day served with fresh bread (£4.25).

If that has got your mouth watering, take a look at the Main Courses. Berkshire Venison, Red Wine Sausages in a Madeira and Vegetable Sauce ‘Stoemp Saucisse’ (£12.95), or the Suffolk grown Portobello Mushroom with French Goats Cheese on a bed of salad with Balsamic Dressing (£8.25), both of which are beautifully flavoured.

The desserts are a must have, even if your stomachs are full after the first two meals. One thing that gets everyone going gaga is Brouge’s Traditional Belgian Waffle with maple syrup and vanilla ice cream (£4.95) that is excellent and rich in flavour, soft in the middle and a crispy, crunchy crust.

Brouge also offers a fantastic and impressive selection of over 40 different Belgian beers from Lambiek, normally brewed for a minimum of 3 years in aged wooden casks to pale ales, fruit beers and traditional Trappist varieties. There are unique beer cocktails and a world beer selection to suit any discerning palate. The drink’s menu also educates guests on which beverage will compliment your meal.

So if you’re looking for a truly unforgettable dining experience in a modern Belgian bistro, then why not make Brouge the next place to visit.

The staff are experts in Belgian cuisine and it’s no wonder people return here time after time. It is a thoroughly recommended restaurant by countless guests and one that truly offers value for money.

• Tel:+44 208 977 26 98
• 24 Hampton Road, Twickenham, TW2 5NG
• www.brouge.co.uk

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