Late evening dining: Limbo RestoClub, Luxembourg

August 10, 2015August 10, 2015 ~ Corie Bratter ~ 7 Comments

When I was told about the opening of Limbo, this new restaurant – club in the city center, I was a bit skeptic at the very beginning as I am not a fan of mixed environment concept, first because it is difficult to be good in too many things at the same time, second as the restaurants in da club were I have been in the past were all a big disappointment. In some of them the music was so loud you can barely hear your own voice.

Said that, I first had a dry run at Limbo last week: we had some friends arriving in town in the evening and we wanted to have a late light dinner. Unfortunately, as you are probably aware, there are very few places in Luxembourg where you could eat later than 9 pm in a decent way. I got in contact with Limbo FB page and they confirmed me their kitchen is open until 11 pm. It was quite refreshing and we had a short, pleasant time. We ordered some tapas to share and some great cocktails and the experience was so positive – even limited, as said – that I decided to come back this week end for a full dinner.

The location, the former Secret Garden, has been updated to the need of the new place, has a large wardrobe on view at the entrance and a great, cozy embowered terrace. The tables have a generous gap in-between, thing I always appreciate, and the service is informal but great.

The menu has a fair choice of fusion starters and main courses, meat, fish and vegetarian, plus some menu combinations. Prices are very very honest for being in such great central location.

I had salmon tartare as starter, scallops and patanegra as main, while my friend R. a veggie and tofu platter for starter and beef filet as main.

Here’s the pictures of our dinner, followed, as usual, by my impressions.

Things I loved about Limbo:

Outstanding choice of tropical cocktails: I had both Caipirinha and Daiquiri Frozen and they were both delicious. Finally a place where to have something different than a gin-tonic!
Food is great: in particular, high-quality raw materials (as the wagyu beef) and unusual combinations. My salmon tartare was to die for (even if it is strong in onions, so be aware if you are on a date) and the scallops platter was also yummy,
Amazing customer service. You get immediate reply from their FB page if you write them for any question/enquiry and the on-site service is also fine.
High quality/price ration and value for money – one of the best I have seen centrally.

Things I liked a bit less about Limbo:

While food is affordable, drinks price is in line with city center bars. That’s fine for a night out, but if you intend to have only cocktails during your dinner and you are quite like a booze lover like I am, it might start to be expensive. The great thing is that if you take the menu combination, you get cocktails for half price until midnight.
My friend’s starter – the veggie tofu platter – was nothing special.
It is not a restaurant for big appetite. I personally appreciate when you finish your dinner and you are satisfied but not overwhelmed, but we noted as it might not be the place for a lads only night.

In conclusion, I definitely like Limbo RestoClub very much: the ambience is pleasant and it is the perfect place I would recommend if you want to have a fancy late evening dinner before a night out or a date with friends with some tropical appeal.

Friday evening: a (posh) idea for after-work drinks, Vinoteca, Luxembourg

July 28, 2015August 12, 2015 ~ Corie Bratter ~ 1 Comment

In Luxembourg there are just few months to enjoy the open air life, therefore during summer period I always try to arrange my evening in some garden or terrace. I talked already about it on the blog and you know there are several restaurants and bars in the city that offer breathtaking panoramas.

One of the best bar with view, for a quiet ad intense after-work, is definitely the Vinoteca – that is located behind the Palais and well hidden through ancient archways. This is the kind of place I tend to visit only during summer for being on the terrace, as I really don’t like the interior design.

I arranged for drinks with a friend on a Friday evening, some weeks ago and we had pleasant time.

After the pictures, some pro and con of this place.

Things I loved about Vinoteca:

The location. Not to mention the amazing view, I also like the kind of atmosphere this place has. It is never too crowed, it is a bit far from the movida area of the city, so perfect if you, like me, are catching up with a friend and you want to talk quietly.
The service. I booked a table in the afternoon (highly recommended) and they were quick and nice in their replies. The waiter who was serving has had a big smile, was calling me by name even if it was long time I did not visit the place and was always there to help.
The quality of the products. Essentially it is not a place for a cheap drink, but you get the quality for what you are paying for. They have a good selection of wines, cold dishes to share and even hot dishes if you fancy having dinner.

Things I liked a bit less:

The wine approach. You can have glass, big glass, half pitcher o bottle for selected wines. As we were not sure how long we wanted to stay, we started with half pitcher of one of the most expensive wines they have. If I am paying 60 euro for half a bottle, I would expect at least that you fill up the pitcher showing me the bottle. We got directly the pitcher taken to the table, so – eventually – it could have been whatever wine inside. This was not the case – because the wine was great – but if I would expect a different level of service.
The charcuterie platter. They have different dishes with cheese, ham, charcuterie, so we decided to go for a mixed one for having a bit of everything. When the platter arrived, it was actually composed only by two kinds of salami and one of pancetta. We would expect at least one portion of ham. My friend does not eat salami, so we ended up leaving half of the platter.

To sum up, Vinoteca has a lovely terrace perfect for after-work drinks. The quality of the wine and of the food is pretty high, as well as the final bill. I would recommend it for a quiet talk with a friend, for a date with someone you want to impress or for a special celebration.

White Dinner 2015 – Some hints

July 9, 2015July 9, 2015 ~ Corie Bratter ~ 28 Comments

Did you ever heard about the White Dinner?

This is a truly amazing event organized in several European cities during summer (check some pictures of the one in Paris here).

The rules are more or less always the same: the dinner is taking place in a public place that is kept secret till the very last, everybody should be dressed in total white and you must provide for everything for your group (table, chairs, food, etc.).

It is actually less complicated than it looks and having been to four White Dinners in Luxembourg already, I can ensure it is definitely worth the effort – and each and every year you want to improve!

It is just important you try to plan a bit in advance the event and to share the tasks with your group of friends. Keep the group limited, above all if you are inexperienced. A table of 4 or 6 is easier to manage and you won’t feel overwhelmed.

Previous White Dinners in Luxembourg took place among all at the Roses Garden in front of Arcelor Mittal building, in Rue Philippe II, on the Corniche.

Some suggestions:

– Normally you receive indications regarding the “meeting point” ahead the White Dinner day. The “meeting point” is at a walking distance from the place where the White Dinner will actually take place. Therefore, start to wonder where the dinner could be and above all try to find the closest parking place/bus stop. You can share the easy things to transport with your friends (have backpacks, boxes and cooler bags ready and filled). Have just one friend with the car that could move heavy stuff and tables when the place is announced. Use foldable tables and chairs for garden that are light and easy to clean.

– If you are afraid of taking china with you, check at shop like Hema or Ava, in Luxembourg city. They have wonderful catering items at small price and some nice decoration solutions.

– Coordinate the food and the drinks, to avoid ending up with ten red wines bottles and nothing else. Take in consideration that, from the announcement of the “place”, it takes some time to arrange the tables and collect people, so be ready with an icy cold champagne bottle or a nice aperitif for your friends, while you are setting your table.

– Go cold (pasta salad, raw fish, cheese and charcuterie) and simple (what about a bento box for your friends?). If you are afraid is going to be too complicated, you might consider to take something take away (Sushi shop box, for example).

– Don’t forget ashtray if you have smoking friends, big bin bags to clean everything at the end and eventually some rags/cleaning paper as disaster recovery option (open Aperol bottle overturned on the table anyone?)

– If it is your first year, don’t bother too much about the appearance. Try to be clean, have a nice organized table and above all to enjoy. You might see crazy stuff that night, like people having their own butler carrying them stuff around, but White Dinner is not about the best table. It is about having a different special night, about a secret place, about being thrilled of organizing something with your friends and enjoy this special and lovely moment.

Have fun!

Pictures of my previous editions are following:

Sunday dinner at “La Veranda”, Luxembourg

July 9, 2015July 8, 2015 ~ Corie Bratter ~ 6 Comments

Since hubby has started to work again with busy schedule during week-ends, the only night we can actually have a proper dinner out is Sunday.

Before my business trip to Amsterdam, we decided to spoil ourselves with some truly Italian food and we went for “La Veranda” restaurant in Howald.

We had some starters (charcuterie, cheese, pizza) and then, as main, I had grilled meat and hubby went for lamb. We accompanied it with a bottle of Tuscan wine from Bolgheri, a lovely one.

See the pictures of our night and find after some impressions about the dinner and the restaurant.

Things I loved about dining at La Veranda:

– Food was definitely outstanding quality: I loved the cheese and the pizza was yummy. My main course included lamb, entrecote, beef filet and sausages. Everything was very good, special mention to the entrecote that was just perfect, thin and soft.

– Portions are huge but the quality is so great you can arrive at the end of a glorious dinner like ours without feeling sick.

– Service was also extremely fine: attentive and available for suggestions and clarifications about the origin of the productions and the dishes composition. Not very common in Luxembourg.

Things I liked a bit less:

– The interiors are a bit dated and old fashion and the terrace is overlooking Route de Thionville that is definitely not a fancy view.

– If you are choosing a good wine and meat/fish main and you add up some dessert and digestives, the bill is growing pretty fast.

In conclusion, I definitely enjoyed our dinner at “La Veranda”, it is a good place for an informal dinner with friends and family and, even if the surroundings are not fancy, it is definitely worth a visit.

Däiwelskichen – aka never trust the first impression

March 27, 2015March 27, 2015 ~ Corie Bratter ~ 2 Comments

Last time I have been to Däiwelskichen was little bit more than one year ago. It was strongly recommended by a friend so I went there with extremely high expectations that were quickly deluded.
Nothing went wrong – it was just missing that “quid” that makes you fall in love with a place.

On Wednesday night, after Aperinetwork, we booked there just because was one of the few places not yet fully booked (my husband noted that probably in Luxembourg people are never dining at home as restaurants are always complete) and that was allowing us to come a bit later.
I called few minutes before another similar restaurant (the sin but not the sinner) asking a table for 9 – 9.30 and the “nice” waiter told me: first, you must come at 9; second, nothing is going out from the kitchen after 9.30 so you better look at the menu on the website and come with clear ideas. No, thanks. Next one.

Däiwelskichen is a South-American restaurant located between Gran Rue and Palais, hidden in the courtyard of an old building.
The location is amazing – but don’t wear tiny heels, you will struggle getting there – cobblestones slope to the entrance.

We had a table in the small room and ordered a bottle of Chilean red wine. I had a Natural beef – with avocado sauce – and hubby had Lamb.

Scroll down after the pictures for my impressions.

Things I loved about the restaurant:

– Actually this time I loved everything. Our waiter was extremely kind, helped with the wine and checked during the dinner if everything was ok. The owner also came to greet us and was lovely.

– Wine was exquisite – and I am not drinking red normally.

– Food was to die for. My suggestion: go for the simplest. Last time I had something overcomplicated with meat, eggs, whatever and I was not impressed. The Natural beef is exceptional, best meat I had in Luxembourg probably. Huge portion, tasty, heavenly cooked.

Things I did not love so much:

– Well, nothing. Only small complain I could have is that the room on side is extremely noisy. If you are young and with friends, it sounds amazing. If you are old and boring like me or out for a romantic date, you better stay in the main room. To be fair, we were actually proposed a table there but my husband chose to move to the room – men.

In conclusion, Däiwelskichen is now on the list of my favorite restaurants in town and I cannot wait to go back and have again that delicious beef!

Barefoot in Luxembourg

My Social Adventures Out & About in Luxembourg

citycenter

Late evening dining: Limbo RestoClub, Luxembourg

Friday evening: a (posh) idea for after-work drinks, Vinoteca, Luxembourg

White Dinner 2015 – Some hints

Sunday dinner at “La Veranda”, Luxembourg

Däiwelskichen – aka never trust the first impression