Whenever I go to Brussels, the highlight is never the wonderful choice of beers or the best fries in the world or even the splendid Grand Place. As impressive as these things are, the highlight is always a visit to my favourite Italian restaurant. Situated on the city-side of the European quarter, it’s a small restaurant which is popular enough to be able to have two sittings at lunchtime and two in the evening – surely a dream for any restauranteur. You can only book a table for more than 4 people but it’s worth waiting your turn to sample their delicious food.
And not just food. The wine selection is wide-enough-to-be-interesting but on the whole affordable. Try the delicate white Pecorino. If you fancy something red, the Salice Salentino is also worth investigating.
Where? Il Pasticcio, Rue Marie de Bourgogne 3, 1050 Ixelles, Brussels. +32 2 512 6252
Why? There is just one reason. Tuna. In summer, Tuna tartare with burrata and truffle (pictured above). With or without foie gras, with or without a glass of Pecorino. In the colder seasons, perfectly seared Tuna. With or without a glass of Greccio Rosso (see below).
This IS the best restaurant in Brussels (and my favourite). The food, wine and value-for-money are excellent and the staff are friendly and competent. It’s always full and noisy for a reason. It’s worth arriving and waiting or arriving and, seeing the queue, returning an hour later or even on a different day.
They DO have a menu but nearly everyone orders from the daily specials blackboards – these always include the popular trio di pasta and spaghetti vongole plus a couple of meaty pasta dishes and at least one fish and/or seafood dish. In winter the octopus is superbly tender, the bream/bass combination plate is perfectly cooked and the grilled tuna is consistently up there with the best that I’ve ever tasted. During the warmer months, the tartare di tonno with truffle and creamy only-just-set mozzarella is refreshing and excellent.
There might be a wine list somewhere but we’ve never needed it: the waiters will happily recommend something suitable (and affordable) – the Bepin de Eto Geccio Rosso is excellent as is the cheaper Salice Salentino.
In the evening, il Pasticcio is somewhat less hectic. The format is the same as lunchtime except that the bread-basket is more interesting!