A royal salute for Peter Goossens: Filip and Mathilde dine in silence in Hof van Cleve | Domestic

It was a bit of a shock for the customers of the Hof van Cleve. The atmosphere has always been subdued and discretion was an order word in any case, but an additional layer was added on Saturday evening. Because suddenly there was a couple – he in a tight black suit, crisp white shirt and a bronze-colored tie, she in a red-black flamed dress – that at first glance people had to think for three seconds who it was. You know how it is when you suddenly see the big boss from the office at a festival in shorts and a beer in hand.

So the royal couple unexpectedly found themselves in the three-star restaurant in Kruishoutem, strategically in a corner – safety first, of course – but far from hidden. Filip could, so to speak, overlook the entire restaurant from his chair and all customers who had booked a table this last Saturday evening could simply look at the king and queen’s plates. Although it must be said: it was exactly the same as all the other plates.

There are only two menus available at Hof van Cleve these days: the signature menu and a vegetarian alternative. Since the king is not known for his low-meat diet, he and his wife will undoubtedly have enjoyed the eight courses – as was evident from Mathilde’s smile and Filip’s satisfied look when saying goodbye to Goossens. The royal palace does not provide any further explanation because it concerns “a private activity of King Philip and Queen Mathilde”.

For the curious among you – or the gastronomes who cannot afford 490 euros per person, without water, wine, coffee or non-alcoholic alternatives: the Hof ate caviar with miso and a shrimp, a langoustine with a chermoula sauce and more. the Libyan cuisine, a piece of cod from the North Sea with leek and crab, a scallop with truffle, a fillet of hare with chicory and celeriac and two desserts – a pear with orange, cinnamon and pistachio and black chocolate from Brazil with pecan, vanilla and jonagold.

Next Friday, December 22, Peter Goossens and his wife Lieve will say goodbye to the restaurant that is his life’s work and has had three Michelin stars on its facade since 2005. Just two weeks later, on January 10, the Court reopens – refreshed with new art and furniture and with Goossens’ current right-hand man Floris Van der Veken (34) at the stove. And striking: Van der Veken will probably immediately leave without stars and certainly without a top score in the Gault&Millau restaurant guide, and the prices of his menus have already been adjusted there. For seven courses the customer will pay 195 euros, for five courses 165 euros.

Filip, Mathilde and Emmanuel surprise cast of ‘Les misérables’: “Very proud that we could welcome them”