Avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67, Ixelles
What’s good? The food, the location and the concept. Refoodgees is a nonprofit organization whose aim is to train refugees in catering professions, while enhancing their skills and promoting their culinary heritage. “The idea is to tell the story of a person and a country through their food,” Arthur Fogel, founder of the organization, told POLITICO. “Often refugees have valuable skills in the hospitality sector, but because of their status it’s hard for them to find a job where they can apply those skills.”
This pop up restaurant specializes in seasonal Syrian dishes, from Syrian chef Abdulrahman Aljassem. We tried a creamy hummus accompanied by Syrian bread, and the roasted veggies dipped in a creamy labneh, a soft Middle Eastern cheese made from strained yogurt. Between the perfectly presented plates, the friendly service and the mesmerizing location, our overall experience was impeccable.
What’s not? Both the space and the opening hours are limited. The restaurant is open only from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., while the restaurant is designed to welcome a maximum of 28 people.
Vibe: Elegant and sophisticated. The stunning art-deco architecture of Villa Empain, paired with the soft lighting and the historic atmosphere, will transport you to an era of glamor and charm.
Who’s picking up the check? The starters are €8 while the main plates vary between €18 for the salad and €26 for the beef meatballs dipped in tomato sauce. The only dessert on the menu, the Mouhalabieh, a traditional milk flan with pistachios on top, costs €10.
Insider tip: Because it’s a pop-up restaurant, it will only be operational until mid-March. “However, if everything goes well and the foundation is happy with us, we might stay longer,” said Fogel.
Fun fact: Villa Empain was originally built in the 1930s as a luxurious residence for Baron Louis Empain, the son of a wealthy Belgian industrialist. Its stunning art-deco design and grandeur were intended to showcase the family’s wealth and taste.
How to get there: From Schuman, you can take metro line 1 to Montgomery, and then hop on the 25 tram until the stop Solbosch. It takes around 30 minutes.
Review published on January 30, 2025. Illustration by Natália Delgado/POLITICO.
The post Restaurant review: Refoodgees at Villa Empain appeared first on Politico.
