Rouge Tomate

The decor may be cool and contemporary, but the mood at Rouge Tomate seemed distinctly 1980s as trans-Atlantic accents bristling with manly talk of export deals and global strategies drifted over the plates of turbot and suprême de pigeon. Housed in a stylish 19th-century townhouse complete with wood-panelled library and palm-lined garden, this Avenue Louise eatery has lured powerlunchers for more than a decade with wow-factor dishes like lobster ravioli in coral jus, or label rouge salmon sprinkled with poppy seeds, fennel and smoked fleur de sel.

Chef Alex Joseph hails from California and Rouge Tomate now has an offshoot in Manhattan, newly endowed with a Michelin star. Its cosmopolitan credentials were on show when an elegant 50-something couple fresh in from Tokyo struggled just briefly with the menu before a black-clad Japanese waitress materialised ninjalike to provide the perfect translation. Behind its international vibe, the restaurant is pleasingly committed to using seasonal and local ingredients to produce a cuisine that’s healthy and innovative.

In springtime, that pride of Belgian poultry, the coucou de Malines, came beautifully served with fresh green and white asparagus, a duck liver emulsion and grains of chewy spelt wheat. The steak was cut from rouge flamande beef accompanied by braised mustard leaves and dribbled with a bourbon-infused sauce. There’s a fine selection of biodynamic wines, many served by the glass.

Rouge Tomate is ideal for making an impression on an uptown first date or a promising new client. Just be sure your expense account will stretch to the €85-a-head price tag. 

190 Avenue Louise, tel 02.647.70.44, www.rougetomate.be