One of Belgium's oldest and best loved restaurants, Chez Léon, famed for its exceptional moules frites and hearty Flemish classics, has chosen London for the setting of their first international branch of its Léon de Bruxelles franchise, opening on 17th January. They're going for a 'soft' opening between 17th and 20th January, when all food will have 50% off.
The restaurant, which was established over 100 years ago, will seat 220 people with 12 bar covers and 39 seats on the terrace for the sunny summer months. Head Chef Jessica Lavender joins the launch team from The Hilton, Sydney after a career spent working her way through the kitchens of some of the world's top hotels.
Léon de Bruxelles is sure to re-ignite our love of the simple, delectable mussel, best eaten with a crisp, cloudy Belgian beer - on this occasion brewed especially for Léon - thin crunchy frites dipped in pillowy mayonnaise and followed by deliciously comforting waffles, dripping with hot chocolate sauce, whipped cream and ice cream in true Belgian style.
Alongside its signature list of eleven variations of mussel dishes served the traditional Léon way in large cocottes or gratin, Léon de Bruxelles also features a range of hearty brasserie and Flemish classics such as traditional fish soup served with rouille, Smelts - small fried fish with homemade tatar sauce and carbonnade of beer braised beef with frites.
The mussels range from the classic Marinière to the more unusual Ardennaise, with white wine, crème fraiche, smoked bacon and mushrooms to mussels in a light Madras curry sauce and au gratin with a trio of cheeses or Riviera, cooked in a tomato sauce with garlic, parsley and gruyère cheese.
Léon de Bruxelles is at 24 Cambridge Circus, London WC2H 8AA.