Text Richard Bence,
Renée Cordes
Favourite restaurants and foodie titbits from Brussels Airlines’ short-haul network
Restaurante San Fernando SPAIN
Hotel Alfonso XIII, 2 San Fernando, Seville, tel. +34 95
491 7000, www.luxurycollection.com
Hotel Alfonso XIII, Seville’s smartest hotel address, is a super-ornate bastion of glamour. Its rooms glitter with hand-painted tiles, acres of marble and antique furniture. But despite oozing old-school charm, Hotel Alfonso was only built in 1929 – in a city with buildings dating back to Moorish times, it’s a relative newcomer. Nevertheless, the intricate carvings, crystal chandeliers and astounding arabesques make this one of Europe’s most luxurious hotels.
Head straight for the terrace bar, where retro Arne Jacobsen style chairs give a cool kick to an otherwise old-fashioned sort of place, then to Restaurante San Fernando. This tranquil courtyard restaurant offers traditional food served by smartly attired old-timers. Expect Spanish favourites such as gazpacho, as well as international dishes. The food, however, is almost secondary. The real attraction is eating in the grand surroundings of this beautiful old jewel. Expect to pay around €150 for dinner for two, with a bottle of house wine. RB
Atomium Restaurant BELGIUM
Square de l’Atomium, Brussels, tel.
+32 (0)496 105858, www.belgiumtaste.be
When the throngs of tourists leave Brussel’s Atomium, the top sphere becomes one of the city’s most magnificent gastronomic restaurants. It’s worth the visit for the setting alone. The recently renovated architectural gem was built for the 1958 World’s Fair.
The restaurant, open evenings only, is arguably the highest-elevation dining venue in this skyscraper-deprived capital. The stunning views are eclipsed only by the heavenly dishes created by Alexandre Masson, who owns the restaurant (which doubles as an informal lunch spot during the day) with Bénédicte Magis.
Start your evening with the perky house aperitif concocted from Napoleon brandy and Cremant d’Alsace. Aiming for “high-class Belgian cuisine with a modern twist”, Masson delivers with masterpieces such as cod sashimi and melt-in-your-mouth roasted Coucou de Malines chicken. Save room for the Belgian waffle with chocolate sauce.
You should expect to spend about €100 for two, or try the five-course tasting menu at €65 per person. RC
Foodie corner
Champagne risotto
For a dish to be at once soothing and celebratory is difficult. For it to be soothing, celebratory and thrifty is damn near impossible. Yet champagne risotto manages this, provided you’re using the dregs of last night’s bottle rather than profligately opening a fresh one. Sauté a finely chopped onion in 50g butter until golden, then add 500g Arborio rice and cook for three minutes.
Add a large glass of champagne (try something fruity, such as Veuve Clicquot). Once it has been absorbed, slowly add a litre of light stock. Pour in another glass of champagne and continue cooking until the rice is al dente, then stir in 50g butter and 50g freshly grated Parmesan.
Perfect for salving post-party hangovers.
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