This Is Antwerp invited 12 internationals to Discover Antwerp Through Experience, in short to go on a D.A.T.E. with Antwerp from the 3rd until the 8th of November. We’ll show them the best hidden secrets, jaunt the hottest places, survive workshops together, enjoy the finest meals and much more. But most important they will meet that one important thing that fuels Antwerp to be the dynamic city that it is today: creative people.
We asked our locals to keep us upD.A.T.E.d (word plays, we know... but it's stronger then ourselves) of what our guest are doing to discover Antwerp. Yesterday we asked our local Tine from to join our internationals for lunch at restaurant .
The question whether I already had lunch plans was never as quickly answered as the time This Is Antwerp asked me to join lunch with the D.A.T.E. crew at Graanmarkt 13. Graanmarkt 13 is a high-end restaurant slash store slash gallery slash hotel that is located between the Bourla and the Stadsschouwburg. I had only visited the store before and was charmed by the brands and items they sell, but did not see myself actually buying something. Let alone eat at the restaurant! Until one beautiful day…
The restaurant is on the floor below ground level, but daylight comes in from two sides of the building which adds to the room’s atmosphere that is both classy and welcoming (a challenging combination). Our party of 16 people sat at two large tables, which gave me the opportunity to meet most of the international creatives who are discovering Antwerp. I was happy to find out that they are as jolly a bunch as I had expected!
For starters most of us had steak tartare which tasted amazing. I am a big fan of carpaccio and this was the next level. All the separate flavors on the plate turned out to be perfect combined together. A surprising beginning! Malin, a Stockholm based jewelry designer, tasted the vegetarian option with a poached egg and she was also very positive about her first dish.
My main course was grilled fish – of which I read on the Graanmarkt 13 website that the restaurant chooses fish that has had quite a stress-free life, in comparison to most fish we eat. This is more ethical and better for the quality! I liked that the side dishes were actual plates in the middle of the table. This serving yourself gave a more informal feeling, which is especially nice when eating in group.
In true Come Dine With Me style, I give Graanmarkt 13 an for food, service and atmosphere, with a bonus point for my excellent company. It was an incredible experience to have lunch at a restaurant that is so well-known in Antwerp and beyond. I can’t but agree they really earn all the praise. Even while writing this blog a few hours after leaving the table, I am still up on cloud nine in foodie heaven.
Since it was too great a remark to not share it with you, I will conclude with D.A.T.E. Jeroen’s impression of Graanmarkt 13 and Antwerp in general: ‘fancy, but a bit rough around the edges’.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to miss a thing. We asked our This Is Antwerp locals to cover most of the workshops for you. So keep an eye out for our blog or follow us on , or !
Text by Tine Van den Poel De Clippeleire - antwerpenstreetstyle.com
Pics by Tine Van den Poel De Clippeleire - antwerpenstreetstyle.com