Brasserie Julie
Sint-Martens-Bodegem, Belgium
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Thomas Locus is determined to create an immersive experience for his patrons whether they are dining in his cosy contemporary farmstead or on the comfortable garden terrace, or indeed spending the night at his bucolic B&B. Quality is the name of the game here. The entrepreneurial chef even runs a wine shop and, a little further down the road, another restaurant, Agnes. A meal at Brasserie Julie simply has to start with some of the international appetisers available for sharing. Almejas à la marinera, nobashi shrimp with shichimi… What a feast! It is immediately clear that chef Locus has his own unique way of approaching the classics – a few choice ingredients and creative sides suffice to create an intense taste experience. This is ingredient-led cuisine through and through, by a chef who gives familiar flavours a delicate boost. Even all-time favourites such as steak tartare and Dame Blanche are given an extra dimension here. The game dishes, such as the grey partridge roasted on the bone, are also excellent. This next-level brasserie is a paradise for discerning foodies.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Immersive Dining Experience with Bucolic B&B
Brasserie Julie offers more than just a meal; guests can dine in a cosy contemporary farmstead, relax on a comfortable garden terrace, or even spend the night at the attached bucolic bed and breakfast, creating a fully immersive experience beyond typical restaurant visits.Unique Approach to Classics with International Appetisers
The chef, Thomas Locus, reinvents classic dishes by using a few carefully chosen ingredients and creative sides to intensify flavors. The meal often begins with international appetizers like Almejas à la marinera and nobashi shrimp with shichimi, blending global tastes with traditional Belgian and French cuisine.Entrepreneurial Integration of Wine Shop and Additional Restaurant
Beyond Brasserie Julie itself, the chef also operates a wine shop and another nearby restaurant named Agnes, reflecting a broader culinary and business ecosystem that enhances the dining experience through expert wine pairings and complementary dining options.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred Brasserie Julie in Sint-Martens-Bodegem include:
Almejas (clams): Featured in the international appetizer "Almejas à la marinera," these clams are prepared with a classic seafood sauce, showcasing the chef's skill in elevating familiar flavors with simple, high-quality ingredients.
Nobashi shrimp: Used in a dish with shichimi seasoning, this ingredient highlights the creative fusion approach of the kitchen, blending delicate seafood with Japanese spice to create an intense taste experience.
Grey partridge: A game dish roasted on the bone, representing the brasserie's commitment to seasonal and robust flavors, prepared with precision to enhance the natural qualities of the meat.
Steak tartare: An all-time favorite given an extra dimension by the chef, emphasizing the focus on ingredient-led cuisine with delicate boosts to classic dishes.
Dame Blanche (classic dessert): Reinvented here to offer a new perspective on a traditional dessert, reflecting the restaurant's approach to familiar flavors with creative refinement.
These ingredients and dishes exemplify Brasserie Julie's philosophy of ingredient-led cooking, where quality and creativity elevate traditional French and home-cooking classics into a refined Michelin-star experience.