DINNER IN THE SKY
After several years of living in Brussels (and partially thanks to this blog!), I have managed to tick off several items on my Brussels bucket list but it feels great to know that there are still so many things I would like to experience. A couple of weeks ago I had the chance to be part of one the most exciting gastronomic activities in the city, Dinner in the Sky.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to admit that while Dinner in the Sky was something I’ve been meaning to try forever, I always hesitated due to my fear of heights. But when Neolith kindly invited me to attend the latest edition, I decided I wouldn’t let my fear stop me and (bravely) accepted. One small step for mankind, one giant leap for yours truly!
For those who have never heard of Dinner in the Sky, I will quickly sum it up for you: it’s a pop up foodie event whereby you get to enjoy a meal prepared right in front of you by a renowned chef (or more!) in a mini kitchen while your table is hung from a crane overlooking a landmark or other beautiful place. Typically menus include five courses accompanied by wine and champagne. Not too bad, huh? The concept was born in Brussels in 2006 and has expanded ever since in a number of countries worldwide.
Our chef for the day was Bart de Pooter, head of the two-Michelin starred De Pastorale, and the location was the iconic Koekelberg Basilica. Luckily, we were blessed with blue skies, so all we needed to do was relax and enjoy the experience. Shortly after arriving, it was time to take our seats and make sure we were safely harnessed into our seats. Admittedly, I was a little worried about this step but after everything was set, I did feel very safe indeed. This feeling lasted not only when our table started to rise slowly into the sky but during the course of the meal – a few glasses of wine might have helped too…!
Before we knew it, we were having our mises en bouche besides the dome of the Koekelberg Basilica which was a pinch-me moment! Music was playing in the background and everyone was in good spirits. Yep, we were already having a lot of fun! Bart de Pooter worked furiously in the mini kitchen and dish after dish put a smile on our faces: lobster tartar with peach, pine nuts and lettuce – Holstein beef with beans, basil and pickled kombu – raspberry, white chocolate, rose petals and lemon verbena for pudding. Watching him prepare everything up close was fascinating and hands down one of the highlights of the meal.
A couple of hours later it was time to land back to solid ground. Our tummies were full, we were happy and ready for coffee and Maison Dandoy biscuits at the lounge. Yep, we were spoiled rotten! So, was it worth it? For me it was. Having a two-Michelin star chef cooking for me up in the air and enjoying a meal right by one of Brussels’ most imposing buildings was really special.
If you’re keen on living a surrealistic gastronomical experience, Dinner in the Sky comes highly recommended! Sure, it’s not cheap and you may have to overcome your fear of heights (just like me!) but it is worth it. Book with your better half or a fun group of friends and you’ll create some memories for a lifetime.
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