Carnivore: A meat lover’s paradise

The clue as to what diners can expect at this excellent new restaurant is in the name: Carnivore. The very pleasant and welcoming restaurant has one eye on the summer, and is currently fine-tuning the menu with the aim being to add a few Belgian classics to the already extensive menu.

As you can guess, the restaurant is a meat lovers’ paradise with some truly delicious offerings, including steak from various countries, including Ireland, Germany, Austria and France.

But, despite its bold and direct name, the restaurant is very accommodating to all eaters. One of the most popular dishes on the menu happens to be a veggie option (a skewer of vegetables). It can also “tailor make” vegetarian (and even vegan) plates, according to customer preference.

As you enter, you are met with an “industrial” décor with industrial-type iron products morphed into contemporary styled fixtures such as handrails and wall hanging. It all lends itself to a particularly relaxing, informal and intimate ambience with the very impressive (ground floor) wine cellar (containing a particularly excellent range of quality wines) at the centrepiece of everything.

They have large front window which can also be fully opened onto the outside terrace, creating a nice open space when warmer weather arrives.

Part owner, Sumiko, says, “We started, literally, from scratch and took a bit of a chance with a few things but I am glad we did because the customer feedback on the décor has been very positive.”

Enticing decor aside, the real attraction is its meats, and they, like the other dishes, are extremely good.

A good way to sample this would be 3 pm, Monday to Saturday. This is when they offer a lunch special for just €15.90; a deal you are unlikely to find anywhere else in the city.

For this price, you are treated to a three-course meal comprising a choice of one from each of the four starters, four mains and four desserts.

Starters include lovely items such as oysters on ice and duck rillettes while mains offerings include beef skewer, grilled chicken fillet.

Should you chose to choose to indulge in the full feast of meats outside of this deal, then recommendations include the black Angus Irish fillet and Simmenthal rib eye from Germany; The grilled lamb chops, seasoned with thyme and garlic are equally excellent. For those wishing for white meat, you won’t be left wanting, as the giant chicken skewer, prepared with mint, lemon and chives is equally pleasing.

Two sides are included with the mains, plus (for a small supplement) other accompaniments such as giant prawns or a slice of foie gras.

It is little wonder that this delightful restaurant, a relative newcomer to the city’s Place St Catherine, has taken off in such a short space of time.

For those who are yet to discover the delights of this place, going at lunchtime is actually not a bad way to check it out and then pre-book a table for the weekend (when reservations are recommended). So come one, come all, to Carnivore.

Good to know:

• Carnivore
• Quai aux Briques 18, Bruxelles
• groups@carnivoregrill.be
• 02 502 6951