Gastro guinguette opens for theatregoers at Boitsfort Hippodrome in August

A new guinguette pops up in Brussels this summer, dishing up fine cuisine to theatre audiences at Boitsfort Hippodrome from 1 to 24 August.

Gembloux restaurant Hors-Champs will be serving up a special menu and drinks at the site’s ‘Village des Paris’.

It accompanies the show Le Facteur Cheval ou Le Rêve d’un Fou, which is once again on summer tour in Brussels and Wallonia after a successful run at the Avignon festival in 2022.

Under chef Stefan Jacobs – a spice and open-fire cooking wizard –  Hors-Champs is currently in possession of a 16/20 ranking by Gault&Millau culinary guide as well as a Michelin green star.

Its €35 pre-reserved summer menu ‘La Planche du Facteur Cheval’ kicks off with a starter of iced gazpacho, tomato and garden herbs and bread, a main course of grilled pulled pork and whole grilled aubergine, served with tajine vegetables, aubergine caviar and bread. For dessert, a crème brûlée is infused with marigold, which gives it a distinct and beautiful orange colour.

If theatregoers have not reserved dinner in advance, they can present their ticket for the show to access the following menu.

Starters: iced gazpacho, tomato and garden herbs (€12); aubergine caviar and bread (€8). Main course: pulled pork confit over the grill, whole grilled aubergine and tajine vegetables (€18). Dessert: crème brûlée with marigold (€10). A bar offers a selection of organic wines and the chef's favourite beer, Houppe.

The former racing course occupies a green site on the edge of the Sonian forest.

On the theatrical programme

Le Facteur Cheval ou le rêve d’un fou is a play inspired by the life of Ferdinand Cheval, nicknamed Postman Cheval. Adapted from Nadine Monfils' novel Le rêve d’un fou, it is directed by Alain Leempoel.

The Frenchman was famous for painstakingly building a palace with his own hands over 33 years. The drama is not only an ode to his madness, but also a testament to the fulfillment of his dreams and ambition. Despite having the slightest notion of architecture, Cheval’s palace has been listed as a historic monument since 1969.

Guinguette Hors-Champ
1 to 24 August
Thursday to Sunday, 17.00-22.00
Chaussée de la Hulpe 53a
Uccle

Photo: (main image) Hors-Champs’ lantern dinner for Belgium’s national day