Innesto
Zonhoven, Belgium
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
Innesto is the epitome of modern elegance, and the spruce interior sports a stylish black and white colour scheme, while marble details add a luxurious note. In fine weather, make a beeline for the patio. The front-of-house team is constantly on the ball to make sure you lack for nothing. You will see Koen Verjans in the glazed open kitchen, rolling out his obvious passion for outstanding ingredients as he deploys his creativity and technical background. He is particularly keen on mixing textures of vegetables to underscore their intensity, while sauces add an extra dimension to each dish. He may add a kick to Dombes duck with a gutsy compote of speck and onion, a beurre noisette hollandaise sauce and a big-boned spicy gravy. A medley of potato dishes then chips in with a playful final note. Koen Verjans celebrates the ingredient like no one else, as you will discover in the menu that allows you to choose between five or six courses.
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
Here are three unique or unconventional aspects of the Michelin-starred restaurant Innesto in Zonhoven:
1. Creative Use of Vegetable Textures and Sauces
Chef Koen Verjans is known for mixing various textures of vegetables to intensify their flavors, complemented by sauces that add an extra dimension to each dish. This approach highlights the ingredient in a distinctive way, such as in his dish featuring Dombes duck paired with a gutsy compote of speck and onion, beurre noisette hollandaise sauce, and a spicy gravy, finished with a playful medley of potato preparations.
2. Stylish and Luxurious Interior Design
Innesto’s interior is noted for its modern elegance, featuring a spruce interior with a stylish black and white color scheme and luxurious marble details. This sophisticated setting enhances the dining experience, with an open kitchen where guests can observe the chef’s passion and creativity in action.
3. Signature Unique Chocolate Dessert Creation
The restaurant offers a unique chocolate dessert that is highly recommended for its perfect balance of sweetness and richness, leaving a lasting impression on diners. This dessert stands out as a memorable and unconventional finale to the meal.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant Innesto in Zonhoven include:
Razor clam: Featured in a signature dish as a vibrant salad served in a crispy taco with jalapeño emulsion and aged mimolette cheese, showcasing a fresh bite with fire and flair.
Dombes duck: Used in a dish enhanced with a compote of speck and onion, beurre noisette hollandaise sauce, and a spicy gravy, highlighting the richness and depth of flavor.
Holstein beef tartare: Presented with black garlic emulsion, this ingredient is part of a small bite that delivers intense flavor, reflecting the restaurant's creative approach to Indian street food influences.
These ingredients are significant as they reflect Innesto's focus on high-quality, fresh, and locally sourced products, combined with creative culinary techniques that blend different flavor worlds. Razor clam and Holstein beef tartare demonstrate the restaurant's skill in balancing delicate and bold flavors, while the Dombes duck dish exemplifies classic richness elevated by inventive accompaniments.