Restaurant Session (in Kornelimünster): Sankt Benedikt

Enjoying a nice Saturday Summer evening by going for dinner at restaurant Sankt Benedikt✨ from chef Maximilian Kreus. As the beginning of the evening was still quite warm, we got to enjoy the first bites and aperitif outside on the terrace. Always a lovely view!

 

With the first bites... 

...a glass of Brut Sauvignon Blanc from Oliver Zeter.

 

Excellent food makes me happy 😊

 

Our amuse bouche. Very refreshing, perfect for Summer time!

Balfego bluefin tuna, watermelon and sesame. Great dish!

[Balfego Thunfish | Wassermelone | Sesam] 

 

With the first dish, a glass of 2020 Sonnenuhr Riesling Feinherb from Mosel Heinrichshof. 

Oxtail and lettuce. The taste was very good, but the cracker between both textures made it a bit difficult to get the perfect bite.

[Ochsenschwanz | Kopfsalat]

 

With the oxtail, a glass of 2021 Rosé Fumé from Knipser. Very nice! 

 

Dry aged sturgeon from Gressenich with...

[Dry aged Stör aus Gressenich | Okinawa Spinat | Erbsen | Vietnamesischer Koriander] 

...Okinawa spinach, peas and Vietnamese coriander.

 

With the second dish, a glass of 2022 Illusion Blanc de Noir from Meyer-Näkel.

 

Pike-perch with beetroot kimchi and lemongrass.

[Zander aus Gressenich | Rote Bete Kimchi | Zitronengrass]

Pairing with the pike-perch, a glass of 2020 Chardonnay Müllheimer Reggenhag Spätlese Trocken from Dörflinger. 

 

As main dish, roastbeef from Herford Rind with wild broccoli, sushi rice and shiso. So good!

[Roastbeef vom Herford Rind | Wilder Brokkoli | Sushi Reis | Shiso]

 

Served with a glass of Dittelsheim Spätburgunder from Weingut Winter. 

 

Sweet time!

Amalfi lemon with buckwheat and basil.

[Amalfi Zitrone | Buchweizen | Basilikum]

 

Pairing perfectly with the dessert, a glass of 2021 Sweetheart Sauvignon Blanc from Oliver Zeter.

 

Aug 19th, 2023.

Sleeping in Spa (Belgium): Manoir de Lébioles

Breakfast was quite disappointed, so I did not take a picture. But before going, I enjoyed the bathtub in our room - quite big and with a beautiful view.

It is such an impressive building! We love the location and the wellness, but the rooms and the food are just not on the same standard.

 

I went walking to take a picture of the gate and...

 ...my chauffeur just arrived 😊

 

Time to go home. Such a beautiful landscape!

 

Aug 15th, 2023.

Restaurant Session (in Spa, Belgium): Manoir de Lébioles

For the evening, we wanted to have dinner at the gourmet restaurant from chef Loic Jambon - but it was a Monday and the restaurant was closed. As an alternative, the hotel offered a three course menu.

 

Before dinner, we went...

...to the gardens to enjoy the view and...

 

...have our aperitifs. I had a Kir Royal.

 

The manoir is so beautiful!

The restaurant is at the left side, the breakfast room is at the right tower. 

 

After the aperitif, we went inside for dinner. The view...

...from our table.

 

I like the big windows, but not really the wall paper (or is it painted?). 

 

Butter and...

 

...bread. 

 

As starter, tomato - tomato on shortcrust pastry, poultry garum and goat cheese sorbet.

[Tomate - sablé tomate | garum volaille | sorbet tomate chèvre]

 

As main dish, Ibérico Bellota pluma, radish tsukemono, Ibérico chorizo and bell pepper. It felt a bit like a stew - was not really my taste.

[Pluma Ibérico Bellota | tsukemono de radis | chorizo Ibérico | Poivron]

 

 

As part of the main dish.

 

As dessert, raspberry éclair - almond, lemon cream, raspberry kombucha.

[Éclair de framboise - amande | créme de citron | kombucha framboise]

 

The entire meal was very disappointing. It felt like something that was left ready and just warmed up. I would not go again on a day that the gourmet restaurant is not available.

Aug 14th, 2023.

Sleeping in Spa (Belgium) : Manoir de Lébioles

For a mini break, we went to the Ardennes to stay overnight. Arriving to...

...our hotel. It is such a beautiful building!

 

 

Manoir de Lébioles - also known as "Little Versailles of the Ardennes". 

The entrance porch, with a water fountain. 

 

After check-in, we went to our room (category Chambre Relais). I love the building from outside, but not sure about the room's decoration. From my style, it could be a bit cozier.

 

Impressive vase size😀 

 

From the bed, a view to the fireplace. 

 

Entering the bathroom. I loved the wooden floor and...

 

...the bathtub with a view!

 

The view to the inner garden...

 

...and the forest. 

 

Going to the spa for a massage and a swim.

The pool has also some lying down areas with jets.

Swim, Roger, swim! 

 

A little lady bug showing up to say hi 😊

 

Aug 14th, 2023.