Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Au Vieux Saint Martin won ‘Best Carbonnade of Brussels 2024’ for its traditional dish and best chips. Chef Khalil Khali’s recipe features Tangerlo Brune beer, simmered for hours, priced at €22.90.
Au Vieux Saint Martin at Grand Sablon was given an award for serving the best chips with the carbonnade dish. Out of around 30 restaurants, the restaurant was named the ‘Best Carbonnade of Brussels 2024’. A special panel and customers in the restaurants voted. They looked at flavors, meat tenderness, recipe originality, and keeping the dish traditional. Khalil Khali, the chef at Brasserie Ommegang, shared that they serve 200 to 300 kilos of carbon dioxide daily in summer.
What Makes Carbonnade the Best in Brussels?
Khali mentioned that the Tangerlo Brune beer is crucial for his recipe. It won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards and adds a unique vanilla flavor with less acidity than other brown beers. Khali adds mustard, gingerbread with onions, and brown stock to the stew. The dish simmers for four to six hours, contributing to its success as the best carbonnade in Brussels. Customers can enjoy this award-winning recipe for €22.90 daily at the restaurant from 11:00 to 23:00.
Au Vieux Saint Martin won for the best chips with the dish, and Mannekin Pis Café got the award for an innovative version of the carbonnade. Patatak was recognized for giving great value by serving a tasty carbonade at a reasonable price. Next year’s competition will feature vol-au-vent, a classic chicken dish in puff pastry named by Queen Marie Leszczynska in the 18th century.
