Innesto Restaurant in Houthalen guarantees sophisticated cuisine with a good balance of taste. During the “Jong Keukengeweld-actie” (The Young Kitchen Talent Campaign), young chef Koen Verjans invites young people between the age of 18 and 30 to taste extraordinary, casual, stylish and creative gastronomy. Enjoy!
‘Jong Keukengeweld’ & Visit Flanders
As the twig is bent the tree is inclined. The same goes for fine dining. Tourism Flanders plays a beautiful role in the ‘Young Kitchen Talent’ campaign, which promotes gastronomy for and by young people, with more than 50 chefs younger than 35 who open the doors of their restaurants for guests between the ages of 18 and 30 at the very competitive price of 45 euros for a three-course menu including water and adapted wines and/or beers (or 55 euros for the same formula in Michelin restaurants or restaurants with a Gault & Millau score of 15/20 or more). The campaign was held in October and in March and it was a great success. Do you need proof? The available tables were sold out in no time. Certain restaurants even decided to open their doors for a few extra days to give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the spontaneous, creative Flemish gastronomy. Although we have secretly already passed the age limit of 30 at Hungry for More, we were still allowed to taste. The fact that there are more young people present than usual is something we can only acclaim. Succession for foodies is definitely guaranteed. 🙂
Restaurant Innesto
One of the restaurants that willingly sacrificed a closing day for all these young kitchen talents is Innesto in Houthalen-Helchteren. The restaurant shares its floor with hotel De Barrier – which is part of the Different Hotels group. Limburg’s tranquillity, its rich history and the stately building make sure that this is the ideal location for a restaurant with style and class like Innesto.
The refined cuisine of chef Koen Verjans did not go unnoticed by many critics, resulting in a current Gault & Millau quotation of 16/20 and one Michelin star. Key words here are product and balance, characterized by crispy details, subtle acids and fresh herbs.
In the restaurant, Sofie, the hostess and also Koen’s partner, makes sure everything runs smoothly and friendly. The young team guarantees a kind and correct service.
The restaurant’s interior is tight and warm, as it uses materials like wood and marble combined with white and brown shades. The elegant accents such as a striking flower arrangement, graceful wallpaper and soft cushions fit perfectly.
On the menu
On the occasion of the Young Kitchen Talents campaign there are some suggestions of the chef on the menu. We opt for a 4-course menu today.
We start with an elegant amuse made up of steak tartar and an oyster cream.
The next eyecatcher also belongs to the amuses. We can taste fregola salad with a fennel sausage, parmesan cream and a basil vinaigrette.
The first starter contains tuna, razor clams and cockles. Next to that radishes, quinoa, salted lemon, dashi and sea cabbage are served.
Up next is cod with white asparagus, avocado, crystal spinach and verbena.
Veal is the basis of the main course. On the one hand there is veal cheek and on the other hand there is a slow-cooked and grilled fillet. Celeriac, artichoke, potato and dragon are added to the dish. It is topped off with two kinds of gravy: one made of Parisian mushrooms and one made from spices and tarragon.
We conclude with a raspberry, cheesecake, lime, yogurt and rose dessert. The running pink heart and the combination of textures is absolutely spectacular.
In short…
Innesto in Houthalen-Helchteren is definitely worth a detour. The sophistication and balance of the dishes really stand out. The fact that during the Young Kitchen Talents campaign youngsters are encouraged to come and taste is a nice initiative. We could only see happy faces here. 🙂
Practical information
Restaurant Innesto, Domein De Barrier, Grote Baan 9, 3530 Houthalen, Belgium | +32 11 52 55 25 |
www.innesto.be | www.facebook.com/pg/RestaurantInnesto | www.instagram.com/koenverjans
Want to know more about ‘Jong Keukengeweld’? Check the website!
