La Truffe Noire. Michelin Starred Restaurant In Brussels

Let's face it, we all travel for the food, right? But when it comes to Michelin stared restaurants, some become destinations in their own right. 

So is the case of La Truffe Noire Restaurant in Brussels. Awarded 1-Michelin star, this restaurant is the brain child of chef Luigi Ciciriello.

La Truffe Noire has been around for over 25 years and the protagonists of the place are the black and white truffles, as the name suggests. And I'm not at all exaggerating when I say that lunch here was the best meal we've ever had in Belgium.

At the entrance we are greeted by Luigi himself. As he shows us to our table, we can appreciate the elegant restaurant bathed in natural light. Each table is decorated with fresh cut calla flowers for an extra touch of luxury. 

We start off with 'Crispy Champagne' and a small, yet delicious appetizer.

La Truffe Noire is an incredibly refined place. In the kitchen, imagination is given free rein and almost all the plates make use of the magical ingredient that is the truffle. And that's exactly why three out of four of our choices were truffle based.

Chef Luigi, the owner of the place, seems to be everywhere - in the kitchen, preparing the dishes, and also serving, and making conversation with the guests. He is really passionate about the truffles and the way he describes every dish makes it even more desirable, if that's possible.

As a starter, I have one of 'Luigi's Weaknesses' - Périgord truffle 'A la Croque au Sel'. This is a whole truffle cooked in its juice and Port wine, served with 'truffled butter' and toasted fresh bread, that besides a stunning presentations, is also the highlight of the meal. Luigi explains us how this delicacy should be eaten, and cuts the first piece of truffle himself, spreads some butter on a slice of toast, puts a piece of truffle on it and some salt and invites both of us to taste it, followed by a spoonful of the sauce. 

In Luigi's words, I'm supposed to be in heaven now, and my husband should follow me closely. Surely he is not wrong! 

Cipri has the 'Nuggets of duck foie gras' enrobed with crushed dried fruits, caramel and spéculoos and served with toasted brioche bread and mango cutlery with chopped red paprika.

Nuggets pf foie gras

Everything is so delicious! Luigi is an extremely talented food wizard.

We accompany the starter with a Chateau Mazarin sweet white wine from Loupiac appelation from Bordeaux wine country. The wine goes perfectly with both the foie gras and the truffle.

The wine menu at La Truffe Noire is quite impressive too, with many interesting choices. And both the Chateau Mazarin and the Oro de Montechiari Italian wine we have with the main course are to die for.

We continue with 'Ravioli stuffed with slices of black truffle' and 'Filet of saint-pierre from Brittany stuffed with truffles' and enrobed in leek and steam-cooked with a foamy fresh black truffle nectar - which like nothing I've tasted before. It is pretty clear to us by now that we could live on 'black diamonds' our entire lives if required. Even more so if Luigi is there to prepare them for us!

Fillete of  saint-pierre from Brittany stuffed with truffles

Ravioli stuffed with slices of black truffle

The menu served at La Truffe Noire is filled with gourmet choices and the place is a food lovers paradise.

For dessert, my husband goes for a very French option - the Brillat Savarin cheese stuffed with black truffles. Me, on the other hand, in desperate need for something sweet, order the 'Crème brûlée perfumed with black truffles and orange'.

Crème brûlée perfumed with black truffles and orange

From the moment we walked in, till we said our goodbyes, La Truffe Noire was extremely pleasant and rewarding both for the palate and for the soul. La Truffe Noire is this elegant and refined restaurant where you actually go to build memories and have first time experiences. It definitely is a destination in itself. And though it is not centrally located, it is right in the middle of a beautiful and luxurious neighborhood and only a stone throw again from Bois de la Chambre, a thick urban forest with walking paths great to relax right after lunch or before dinner.

We were guests of La Truffe Noire, however, all opinions expressed here are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.