Peter Vangenechten has made the peaceful country village of Bel a landmark of Belgium’s fine dining landscape. The chef learned the trade in top establishments before returning to his roots and entirely reworking the former stables of a farmstead. Bare timbers support the tall roof, while the elegant interior paints a cosy picture. The idyllic scene is set for chef Vangenechten to work his magic on regional produce, adding international notes, creative side dishes and a playful mixture of textures that enhances and underscores the main ingredient. He savvily blends classic and international influences, flanking melt-in-the-mouth monkfish, among others, with oriental tahini flavours, refreshingly acidic sticky rice, a fish stock sauce laced in curry and spices marinated in sesame oil, thus demonstrating his consummate mastery of gutsy sauces. Proud of its distinctive personality and character, La Belle is emblematic of its charismatic chef who is ever happy to pop out and chat with diners.