eating on budget

One of the problem I have, when I want to dine in town during the week-end, is the need to reserve well in advance – and to spend sometimes a freaking amount of money for plain dinners.

Since I discovered WOK Asian Restaurant, I know I can easily have an (almost) inexpensive sushi at last minute. For sure, this is not a posh one, not even for a romantic date, not to have a refined dinner. WOK Asian Restaurant is anyway a nice place when you decide to go out at the very last, mainly with your friends and with no needs to dress up.

I have been to WOK Asian Restaurant last Friday with some friends. We did not reserve but at 8 pm the main room was still mostly empty.
Matteo and I went for a portion of mixed dumplings to share (8 pieces), I had a miso soup while my other friend had two portions of fried rolls. Then I continued with a California sushi plat (15 pieces), while the others decided both for sautéed rice with chicken.
We had couple of Japanese beers each, espresso and cold sake’ at the end. The total bill read 40 Euro each (3 people: 1 big dumplings starter, one soup, two rolls starters – two main courses, one sushi platter of 15 pieces, six beers, two bottle of water, three espresso and 1 cold sake bottle). Definitely fair enough.

Discover what pro and cons of WOK Asian Restaurant after the pictures of the dinner.

Things I liked about WOK Asian Restaurant:

– Easy going environment: no formality, no need to reserve in advance, great atmosphere
– Various menu: they have a very wide list of Asian dishes, from Japanese to Chines to Thai, definitely good for all the tastes.
– The California platter is one of my favorite in town: fresh fish, good composition and nice presentation.
– Very fair prices: I am not sure there are several other places in the city center where you can spend 40 euro – with drinks – for such big dinner.
– Kind service: the waitress was really glad to explain us couple of dishes content and to prepare a special dish for one of my friend who has allergies.

Things I liked a bit less about WOK Asian Restaurant:

– Service might be slow when it starts to be crowded. We waited pretty long between the starters and the main courses.
– While I really like the “upstairs” room, if you ended up in the basement one it might be not so fancy.
– I tend to eat only starters and sushi – I am not a big fan of other dishes, at least I don’t find them good as the sushi.

To sum up: WOK Asian Restaurantis a really nice place on budget in the city center. Most of the time you don’t need a reservation, they have a very kind service – even if a bit slow – and it is perfect if you are not in a hurry and you are out for a informal dinner. Recommended for a relaxed supper with friends.

Last week, after coming back from a vernissage, I was in a lazy mood. I wanted to eat something yummy, but I was really too tired to wait for some pizza delivery at home. Have you ever been in this mood? I have, often. So much that, each and every year, I nominate my favorite restaurant for category “tonight I don’t want to cook”. You know, the kind of restaurant you can jump in also a bit later and alone, the one you don’t feel the needs to dress up for, the one that prepare for you a special dinner at a very reasonable price.
Here we are, “Al Bacio” restaurant is definitely this place for me. I was welcomed by some warm focaccia while drinking a good glass of Imperatore wine and I was explained the daily suggestions.
One of the main feature of this restaurant is, in fact, that they don’t have a menu. The menu itself change each and every day based on Tonio’s, the chef, mood, and, above all, based on the fresh ingredients they are able to find on the market. So, nothing prepared in advance, nothing industrial, Italian products are coming directly from Italy on a weekly basis and you can spot the difference.
So much I am not a fan of Italian food abroad, so much I like coming here.
The place, as said, is informal, a bit noisy but in a pleasant way. Don’t expect red tape.
Mino, the owner, and the other waiters are smiling and they are taking their time to talk with you, explain the dishes, advise the best for the night, combine the finest wines.

I went for some roasted pork (porchetta) with soft mozzarella cheese (burrata), risotto with mushroom and Italian sausage and the best dessert they have, the iced chocolate flan (semifreddo al cioccolato).
Not satisfied, I came back with friends over the week end and among all we had mixed charcuterie platter and more Italian sausage (zampina). Everything was just delicious.

The restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday for lunch with a “menu du jour” and in the evenings on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. On Thursday night, the dining service is closed and you can enjoy the traditional “Al Bacio” afterwork (aperitivo) with free Italian buffet.
Hint: While it is pleasant for me coming here alone, this is also the greatest place in the city center for a dinner with friends – great food and fair prices -, but the location is cozy and small, so, above all for the week-end, you better book in advance your table!
Secret Reference: While everybody probably understands what “Bacio” in Italian means (kiss), more difficult is to know that “Al Bacio” is a urban dictionary catch and stays for “special, great, perfect”. If I ask you: – How is your food? You can reply: – Al bacio (better if combined with the gesture of taking one hand’ fingers all together to the mouth). Italian level: advanced. 🙂

(WARNING: Severe Food Porn Alert if you scroll down!)

Barefoot in Luxembourg

My Social Adventures Out & About in Luxembourg

An easy going sushi: WOK Asian Restaurant, Luxembourg city

Feeling home, “Al Bacio” Restaurant, Luxembourg