Bistro Bis (Tongeren)

The Place

Bistro Bis is a bistro restaurant in Tongeren, located on the first floor of the 1 Michelin star restaurant Magis. When the owners (Dimitry Lysens & Aagje Moens) heard that Johan Haiverlain, their former sous chef, wanted to open a bistro they offered him the chance to start his dream on the first floor of the restaurant where he previously worked.

Johan prefers to keep things simple and that is reflected in the food and the interior. The dining room is cosy, dark and boasts several robust wooden tables. The cosy atmosphere makes us think of an American western bar – a perfect place for foodie cowboys!

The Chef

Johan Haiverlain serves simple but delicious dishes in Bistro Bis and the menu only lists nine seasonal dishes with Belgian, Mediterranean and Australian influences. Guests choose à la carte or compose their menu themselves (3 dishes € 35, 4 dishes € 47). On Sunday there’s an interesting special degustation menu on offer (“Bis-off menu”: 8 dishes, € 50).

The Food

We visited Bistro Bis together with our colleagues from Be-gusto and Le Gourmand Belge and had the opportunity to sample the Bis-off! Menu.

Appetizers

Kalamata olives, crisp from Pane Carasau (Sardinia), chard roll, home marinated salmon in whiskey
Aperitif:
Ruby Rose Brut Nature, Method traditionnelle – Jesseren
Champagne Bzart blond beer, beer according to traditional method

Warm sourdough bread is served in a white linen basket

Menu

Beetroot, maple syrup, ricotta
Wine: Le petit Beaufort Brut, Domaine Alice Beaufort

Duck, quail egg, frisee
Wine: Insolite 2011, Vin de table bottled by Optimbulles in Hasselt-Jesseren

Bouchot mussel, tetragon, saffron
Wine: Insolite 2011, Vin de table bottled by Optimbulles in Hasselt-Jesseren

Cepes, apple butter emulsion, charcuterie Andouillett
Wine: Insolite 2011, Vin de table bottled by Optimbulles in Hasselt-Jesseren

Bonito, peppers, artichoke
Wine: Lapierre Morgon, Beaujolais

Pig, carrot, kohlrabi
A simple but incredible dish and one of the best ribs we’ve ever tasted!
Wine: Laperre Morgon, Beaujolais

Manigodine savoie cheese, quince, sorrel
Wine: L’hermitage Zellberg 1998 Sylvaner, Julien Meyer, naturally

Apple, milk jam
Wine: Domaine Alexandre Bain, 2010, Pouilly-Fumé

Chocolate, wafer, raspberry
Beer: Bzart Kriek Lambic brut nature, Old Beerzel, sur latte method traditional

Coffee, tea

Served rice pudding & madeleine

The Wines

Yannick Roemers presents beautiful biological wines and beers and interesting regional drinks. It’s quite the challenge to work with (almost) exclusively bio drinks, but everything we had matched the dishes perfectly and surprised with honest, earthy flavors.

The “Belgian Taste Buds” Experience

Bistro Bis took a remarkable start and established itself as one of the best Bistro restaurants in Belgium. An honest kitchen with great flavors, a rock & roll setting and great biological wines… Bistro Bis has everything to make you swing!

Belgian Taste Buds:

–          Food Buds                                                       7.5/10

–          Wine Pairing Buds                                          7/10

–          Price/Quality Buds                                         8.5/10

–          Service Buds                                                  7.5/10

–          Experience Buds                                            7.5/10

Bistro Bis
Hemelingenstraat 2
3700 Tongeren
http://www.bistrobis.be/