Restaurant Rascasse is located in the heart of the green surroundings of Kapellen and is known for its refined gastronomic moments. Chef Erwin Denys and hostess Caroline Claeys, the extremely friendly owners, transformed the former Café Jagersrust into a highly successful yet very accessible restaurant. They manage to combine gastronomy and refinement into a complete experience with a relaxed character. Caroline – awarded the title of Hostess of the Year by Gault Millau – inherited her culinary genes from home. Her parents ran the famous restaurant La Souricière in Adinkerke for many years, and Erwin trained at several Michelin-starred restaurants, including De Karmeliet, De Schone van Boskoop, and Chez Bru.
At the center of the restaurant stands a sleek bar, and the interior is stylish with light Scandinavian influences and a fireplace. An absolute recommendation is the summer terrace at the back. And let’s not forget the “private room,” ideal for a small group of up to 22 people.
Erwin cooks with a focus on the product, not only considering the seasons but also being a member of Northsea Chefs, promoting fish from our North Sea. The menu at Rascasse, which means scorpion fish, offers a beautiful mix of superb fish and meat dishes prepared with contemporary techniques.
The new concept at Rascasse means enjoying a 3-course menu (62.5€), 4-course menu, or 5-course menu (78€ – 95€) for lunch and dinner. The menu changes every 6 weeks, following the rhythm of the seasons. Rascasse has been confirming its place as a destination for pure gastronomic pleasure for years. The GM guide rewards Erwin and Caroline with 14.5/20.
Analogous to the collective “Jong Keukengeweld,” where Visit Flanders brings together the best young chefs (up to 35 years old) from Flanders and Brussels, one could establish a collective called “Rijp Keukengeweld.” These are chefs who have been running their own restaurant for a generation longer and have already demonstrated creativity in their own way with various influences, concepts, and styles. One of the best exponents of this would certainly be Erwin Denys!
Photo credits: Kris Jacobs for TableFever
