Bistro Tribunal

Simply outstanding! A fantastic place just of the Courthouse («Tribunal»), perfect for lunch or dinner. It’s not too large, so make sure to book your table as I have never heard of someone getting in without a reservation. The atmosphere is cozy and loungy with a staff that has impeccable sense of timing: they arrived precisely on time to order drinks (a very fresh and appetizing house cocktail with a little fish-​tartare from the house) and then invited us just at the right moment (with our appetizers gone) to come look at the great meats on offer.
Oh my, this selection was so exquisite and mouthwatering, you’ve got to see it to believe it. Not only were there about 5 different filet purs and 8 different cote à l’os, the «butcher» (or should I say «beef-​sommelier») had tales and tastes to tell about each one of them. Before agonizing choices had to be made and each of the five us had to order each own, he proposed that we select 5 cuts, divide each into five so that we could all enjoy each of those five (Galloway, Simmental and Hereford in Cote à l’os, Rubia and Angus in Filet Pur). Splendid idea!
Naturally we then started argueing about having those cuts bleu or saignant, and once more he came to the rescue: grilling them bleu, then taking two out of the five pieces of each cut and cover them in a light, fervent jus sauce of the same cut turning them saignant. Mesmerizing, marvellous, miraculous.
Next, the wine, again the staff displayed a broad knowledge of their wines and we picked a fantastic Valencian Red that was adaptable to the wide spread of cuts we selected.
About twenty minutes later, the feast started to arrive and we dug in with our polite rendition of our primal, savage instincts, savouring and devouring these fine cuts of beef. Afterwards, coffee for some, tea for others, a small chocomouse from the house and off to the Oude Markt for friday night’s exploits.
Absolutely recommend this place. It ain’t cheap, but it’s great quality, so get your steak just as you’d want your wife to be.

While on business in this quaint city just outside Brussels, I discovered a gem of a restaurant. The formula is simple: a small, cozy, and romantic dining room with an excellent selection of artisanal prime dry-​aged beef from producers across western Europe. We arrived ahead of the fully booked Friday evening dinner crowd without a reservation and were told they couldn’t accommodate us… but on second thought were asked, «Would we mind eating at the bar?» No problem!
The chef cheerily led us to his meat case which held a dozen of the evening’s beef selections from Ireland, Spain, Belgium, and other regions. We settled on the dry-​aged Rubia from the Galicia, Spain. The steak included frites, salad, a choice of several sauces, and we agreed to let the chef serve everything per his recommendations. We ordered a nice blond trippel ale which was quickly followed by our amuse bouche — a superb steak tartare served on a crusty thin slice of bread. French Gillardeau oysters were next and wonderfully fresh, plump, and briny– perfect.
Our attentive waiter suggested a fine French table wine and served it cold stating that as it approached room temperature each sip would seem like a different wine — he was right!
The Rubia steak was served sliced on a metal platter laid atop a custom candle heated stainless steel warming platform. The steak was melt-​in-​your-​mouth tender and with only natural juices and a bit of sea salt it was probably the best steak I have ever had. This comparison includes Peter Luger’s in Brooklyn, NYC, Morton’s Chicago, The Chop House Chicago, Del Frisco’s NYC, St. Elmo Indianapolis… numerous Ruth’s Chris, Fleming’s, Michael Jordan’s, Don Shula’s, and Capital Grilles across the USA. Should I go on? Paired with sublime frites and a simple butter lettuce salad this bistro meal was simple perfection. Cutting the tender steak with a fine Laguiole knife capped the experience for me; I had a choice of several handles and chose the fine shell handle knife!
I can’t wait until my travels return me to Leuven and a chance to visit Bistro Tribunal and their attentive and helpful staff.