NOTE: we were sad to learn this restaurant has closed.
While walking around the Old Town of Antwerp, Belgium, Mr. Jones spotted this restaurant.
We peeked in the window, and it looked like a lovely small restaurant.
Two nights later, we remembered as we were thinking about dinner, and we asked if we could get a table. The answer was yes.
The Gall Nero is a small Italian restaurant with fewer than 10 tables. As we settled in and soaked up the atmosphere, I noticed the chandelier of bottles.
We soon realized that the waiter (likely the owner as well) did not speak English but wanted to communicate in either Italian or French. We don’t speak either language, or Dutch, the language of Antwerp, but we managed to order. This gentleman is a charming host.
First we began with antipasto (which was a mix of cured meats.)
We also had bread, and our waiter poured the olive oil in a dish, then salted it, then ground fresh black pepper on top. Olive oil with bread is always good, but this table side addition of salt and pepper took it to an entirely different height of deliciousness.
I enjoyed the branzino fish special of the evening. It was light, an accompanied by perfectly cooked assortment of fresh vegetables with a butter and white wine sauce. (Even though I don’t speak Italian or French, I can figure out key words describing food.)
Mr. Jones had the veal Marsala, which he devoured.
We enjoyed both with a tasty Italian red wine recommended by our waiter.
Dining at Gallo Nero was our favorite dining experience in Belgium, and it did not involve waffles, frites, chocolate, cocktails, rose wine or tomato soap, although we enjoyed all of those specialties during our visit to Antwerp.
For a fantastic Italian dining experience in the historic part of Antwerp, we highly recommend the Restaurant Gall Nero at 36 Grote Pieter Potstraat.
What is your favorite Belgium food? Please share in comments below.
Check out these other posts on food finds during our travels:
- Presidential Dim Sum in San Francisco
- A Romantic Dinner on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach at Azure
- Eating Our Way Through San Telmo With Buenos Aires Food Tours
- Exploring the Cuban Coffee and Food Culture in Key West, Florida
- The Master Chef’s Table on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
- Dining at Ristorante Guido in Rimini, Italy
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