2023-09-07 14:33:00
The Last Hour announced it to you last February. Le Chapeau blanc, the emblematic restaurant of La Vaillance in Anderlecht had closed in particular following the work on rue Wayez. A few months later, the business was bought by a group of 16 friends, including 12 from Anderlecht. They have just found a manager for the future restaurant: Rémy Merckx. The native of Antwerp, who grew up in France and settled in Brussels 30 years ago, gives us his vision for the White Hat.
“It was a childhood dream. My father had dropped everything, including the family business, to open an estate in the Loire Valley at the age of 40. I do a bit of the same with 10 years older.” Employed by large hotel groups (Accord, Hilton or Radisson), Rémy needed to find concrete and contact. Strictly speaking, he has no experience in catering “but I was immersed in it as a child,” he already has his vision for the White Hat. A name that will also change a little. It loses its “Le” and will be completed with the slogan “Frites en Vrienden.”
The famous brasserie Le Chapeau Blanc has found a buyer: 16 friends, including 12 from Anderlecht! “Something affordable where families can come”
”We are going to put back the original guillotine frames and open an ice cream shop on the street in place of the old chipped one. The restaurant was too closed on the street. We will change that.” This opening will also involve the installation of a 40-seat terrace. Add to the 80 in the room and the other 80 that can be fitted in the space on the first floor, there will be room for the future White Hat. For the first floor, Rémy wants to bring this party room back to life with music-themed evenings from private parties… but also with the RSCA. “There are 200 business supporters at Sporting, I want to pick them up for meals before or following the match.” The restaurant was also historically a headquarters for supporting mauves.
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Who says business class says top of the range. Yes but not in the prices. The manager makes it a point of honor to work with as many local producers as possible. Anderlecht for that it’s perfect. For beers too, Rémy aims local. Held by a partnership with the owners of the building, the Haacht brewery (Tongerlo, Super 8, Charles Quint), the restaurant will still be able to add “10 beers from elsewhere.”
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”No frozen foods, as little processing as possible: we are going to return to the real typical Belgian cuisine by revisiting them a little. Vegetarians will also be able to find what they are looking for.”
On the price side, “we want to aim for 30-35 euros for a starter, main course, dessert menu.” Democratic therefore and, for profitability, the new manager is betting on attendance and a fairly small menu. “We will be open continuously from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. We will also make a tea room for those who want to drink a coffee, eat a slice of pie…”
It is out of the question to distort the place and its historic room. “For the atmosphere, we keep the Art Nouveau motifs (which, in part, are fake old, Editor’s note). On the other hand, we will lighten up. Gone is the huge ship replica that sits above the front door. We need light. Moreover, the touch of modernity will be provided by new lights.”
Rémy Merckx is counting on an opening for October 31. “Anderlecht is a large municipality with a lot of history. A culture that is not valued enough. We will try to fix it.” The establishment still needs to find a chef.
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