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Serre pop-up restaurant: Ever had a rooftop dinner sitting on eight million books?

18:46 21/09/2021
In association with Serre Bxl

What’s cooking in Brussels this autumn? During the month of October, culinary heaven descends upon the exclusive rooftop of the Royal Library of Belgium, located near central station and Mont des Arts. New food concept Serre (Greenhouse) is designed to spice up your lunch or dinner with a dazzling city panorama.

From 1 to 31 October, you can swap that dull restaurant table for your very own cosy rooftop greenhouse, seating up to 12 people. You don’t have to worry about the occasional flurry of wind or rain shower - this being Belgium of course - as the glasshouse protects you from the elements. Each unit is equipped with HVAC suspended heaters, so you can sit back and enjoy the October weather! More importantly, your dining table affords a breathtaking 360° view of the bustling city centre. And with clear skies, the impressive basilica of Koekelberg even comes into the picture.

Serre Bxl - pop-up restaurant
With such a scenic backdrop, you could almost forget about the food on the plate. But fear not, the chefs at WITLOF have created a tempting menu, revolving around shared bites and plates. While many dishes reflect the cosmopolitan style of Brussels, combining Mediterranean and oriental flavours with Belgian cuisine, all products are locally farmed within the greater Brussels district.

This way, your party gets to enjoy creative dishes bursting with flavour. To name but a few: arancini with scamorza and piquillo pepper dip (bite), pumpkin tatin with rosemary, honey and goat cheese cream (plate) and beef ragout with semolina and parmesan (plate). Both lunch and dinner menus consist of a variety of veggie, fish and meat dishes. At your request, a full veggie (but not vegan) menu can be provided for. The drinks menu - including non-alcoholic alternatives - will make it easy for you to pair drinks and food.

Serre Bxl pop-up restaurant 
This memorable experience kicks in before that first sip of aperitif, before you step onto the impressive rooftop balcony, because the grand entrance of the Royal Library of Belgium is an experience in itself. The majestic hallway and staircase provides a hint of the esteemed function of this building. This is not your ordinary library but a place where every single publication that ever appeared in the country gets collected and preserved. You'll be dining on top of more than eight million documents and books.

Then again, remarkable locations seem to be part of Serres DNA. The new concept was born during the first lockdown in 2020 when the team of event & incentive developer Porta Mundi was determined to innovate in difficult times. It created a concept for people to enjoy an exquisite meal safely together, planted in the back garden of the fabulous Castle of Ooidonk near Ghent.

Serre Bxl pop-up restuarantBasking in its success, Porta Mundi then asked the castle’s owner and resident, a count, if it was possible to prolong the dining experience with the installation of 10 greenhouses on his neatly-mowed lawn.

Serre BXL offers a limited number of seats, especially as companies like to seize the occasion to rent the entire rooftop for a private event - a spectacular way to reconnect after months of zooming.

Fortunately, two evening shifts have been created to meet the demand on the days when the greenhouses are still available, and you also have the possibility of booking a romantic two-person formula.

Panoramic views, top notch dishes, a great historical venue and an innovative concept: Serre is about creating memorable moments and looking out over a city waking up after a long pandemic sleep.

Serre BXL
1-31 October, daily, at the Royal Library of Belgium
Lunch: €65pp; deluxe lunch or dinner: €90pp (drinks not included)
Book your table: www.serrepopup.be
Your company event at Serre BXL? All info via hello@serrepopup.be

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by The Bulletin in association with Serre Bxl