Reviewed: Sea Grill Michelin Two Star Restaurant in Brussels, Belgium

Two Michelin starred Sea Grill restaurant in Brussels, Belgium, is a gastronomic journey through the best food the sea has to offer.

When we revised our budget in October, to accelerate our Motorhome Adventure, I had written off hope for dining at any more of Belgium’s Michelin-starred restaurants. But when an invitation came to dine at Brussels’ two-star restaurant, Sea Grill, I was thrilled to cross off one of my foodie bucket list items.

Back in the spring, when Emma and I visited the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Brussels, as part of the #BluBloggers program, we were also invited to enjoy a meal in the Radisson’s Atrium restaurant. At the time, we had asked about the possibility of dining at Sea Grill. We learned, from the lovely marketing manager, although Sea Grill is located inside the Radisson, it operates completely independently. In fact, she hadn’t yet dined there herself and it was high on her to-do list.

I’m not sure what strings she had to pull, but somehow she managed to book a table for the three of us in late November. It was a complicated day of strikes in Brussels, with a few transportation mishaps, but in the end, we all managed to arrive for a memorable and delicious evening of gastronomy.

I had purposely not looked at the Sea Grill website before arriving. Although I had sampled Chef Yves Mattagne’s food at various foodie events in Brussels, I knew the experience at Sea Grill would be a whole other level. I didn’t want any preconceived ideas about the meal to spoil the surprise.

A trio of nibbles at Sea Grill

We began our journey of taste in the comfortable bar, with champagne cocktails and a trio of nibbles. Despite the two-star status, the service was refreshingly friendly, while remaining perfectly professional. It never felt stuffy or overly formal.

The Main dining room and cosy bar at Sea Grill restaurant in Brussels

After our apero, we were ushered into the contemporary dining room. Like the service, the décor is comfortable and beautiful, without feeling too stiff and formal. There is also plenty of space between tables, so you never feel crowded.

With a name like Sea Grill, you can guess the cuisine will focus on the bounty of the ocean. Mattagne puts it best on the website, stating the menu is:

the most beautiful symbiosis of the combination of seafood and the flavours of the earth.

Our amuse bouche set the tone for what would be a spectacular parade of seafood dishes.

An amuse bouche of delicate scallops

Our first course featured one of my favourite delicacies from the sea – langoustine. It was served with leeks, artichokes, and a generous shaving of white truffle.

Langoustine first course

Next up was the most beautifully presented dish of the meal – Sole from the North Sea, with ‘white pearl’ oysters, tiny clams and hints of yuzu. It tasted as beautiful as it looked.

Beautiful North Sea Sole and leek

The third course was another presentation masterpiece – delicate cod served with strips of parmesan, cepes, chestnuts, radish, and the most incredible crispy chicken skin.

Delicate and beautiful cod

The grand finale was completely unexpected and I was thankful I didn’t spoil the surprise by checking out the menu ahead of time.

Sea Grill is home to one of only five Christofle lobster presses in the world; it’s the only one in Belgium. I first saw the solid silver press on a television program and I immediately added it to my foodie bucket list. (Like my travel bucket list, it’s a long one.)

The veritable Christofle lobster press at Sea Grill restaurant

The concept of the press, (similar to the duck press) is quite simple. The shell, legs, and head of the lobster are put inside the 40-kilo silver press. The wheel is then turned to lower the press, squishing out all of the lobster-y juices. The juice is then heated, tableside, into the richest, most incredible lobster bisque imaginable. Finally, the tail and claw meat are added to the bisque and are served with a side of sautéed rice. It was a lobster-flavoured explosion.

And the finished lobster à la presse

Finished with the seafood portion of our evening, we were served a gorgeous little palate cleanser; perfect to move on from the luxurious richness of the lobster bisque.

A pretty palate cleanser before moving to dessert

Our dessert was another work of art on a plate, this time containing meringue, praline, hazelnut and dark and white chocolate – A perfect ending to an incredible meal.

A perfectly sweet ending to our Sea Grill meal

It’s easy to see how Sea Grill has earned and maintained its two Michelin stars, since 1997. The attention to detail is meticulous while never forgetting to highlight the delicate flavours of the ingredients. The seafood is always the star of the dishes, as it should be.

Are you tempted by our article? Reserve a table on-line at Sea Grill now.

Sea Grill
Rue Fosse aux Loups 47,
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

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I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Maëlle of the Radisson Blu Brussels for organising this amazing meal and to the staff of Sea Grill for hosting us and dealing with our ever-snapping cameras with graciousness. As always, all (extremely effusive) opinions are my own.