Dôme
Antwerpen, Belgium
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Glance upwards as you enter this grand Art nouveau edifice and admire the jaw-dropping dome and glittering chandelier! A mosaic floor and panels of bold floral wallpaper add further cachet to the striking rotunda dining room. Evangeline, in charge of the front of house, greets guests as if they were old friends, hence the home-from-home vibe. A genuine globetrotter, Frédéric Chabbert learned the ropes in prestigious French houses and in the United States and Asia, as you will quickly taste in his cuisine. Dedicated to exalting the ingredient, he may jazz up a traditional sauce with pigeon entrails which he pours over a pink breast of the same bird or he may contrast the briny tang of caviar with a flan of fresh yeast and a stock of brown miso. This veteran chef delves into his rich background to conjure up fascinating recipes, like his chocolate tart, one of the house signature dishes. Chabbert’s cuisine throws a new light on familiar flavours, all of which is underscored by intelligent wine pairings. Consummate know-how that packs a punch every time.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique and unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant Dôme in Antwerp:
1. Historic Neo-Flemish Renaissance Building with a Baroque Touch
Dôme is housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century building originally constructed in 1893 by architect Joseph Bascourt. The building has served many roles over the centuries—including a police station and an elementary school—before becoming the restaurant it is today. Its architecture is neo-Flemish Renaissance with hints of Baroque, making the dining experience steeped in history and emotion, symbolizing Antwerp’s rich cultural past.
2. Intimate Dining Under an Extravagant Domed Ceiling
The restaurant features a single, intimate round dining room crowned by a magnificent domed ceiling, creating a monumental yet cozy atmosphere. This architectural centerpiece is a defining characteristic of Dôme, offering guests a unique spatial and visual dining experience that complements the cuisine.
3. Cuisine that Blends Ancient Know-How with Modern Techniques
Dôme’s culinary philosophy emphasizes a confident yet unpretentious approach, blending forgotten or ancient culinary techniques with contemporary methods. The menu is seasonally driven, focusing on ingredient quality and balanced flavors and textures, resulting in a sophisticated but accessible gastronomic experience.
Additionally, Dôme is noted for its extensive and carefully curated wine list from around the world, with sommeliers available to expertly pair wines with the tasting menu, enhancing the overall dining experience.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant Dôme in Antwerpen include:
Pigeon: Used notably with traditional sauces enhanced by pigeon entrails, such as in a dish featuring a pink breast of pigeon with a rich sauce, showcasing a creative and refined use of the whole bird.
Frog: Highlighted in a signature dish paired with liquorice, this ingredient exemplifies the restaurant’s inventive approach to combining unusual flavors and textures.
Sea Bass: Featured in dishes with luxurious accompaniments like caviar sauce, reflecting the restaurant’s focus on high-quality, seasonal seafood.
Seasonal Produce: The menu is built around seasonal ingredients at their peak maturity, emphasizing sharp tastes, balance, and texture, which is central to the restaurant’s philosophy of ingredient quality and gastronomic sophistication.
Seafood (Langoustines and other fresh shellfish): While more prominent at the sister restaurant Dôme Sur Mer, fresh seafood influences the culinary style and ingredient sourcing at Dôme, underscoring the importance of freshness and briny flavors in their dishes.
These ingredients are significant as they reflect Dôme’s dedication to elevating traditional and sometimes forgotten ingredients through modern techniques and balanced flavor profiles, creating a sophisticated yet accessible dining experience.