Hostellerie Le Fox

Two Michelin Star, Really ?? This was a birthday treat, as we had heard alot about this place, and decided to make a night of it, so booked a room with breakfast too. They had changed the menu a couple of weeks before we were due to dine there, but it still looked good. We opted for the "Expressions" menu, with the wine pairings. Upon checking in at around 19:10 we were greeted and offered a seat in the reception area, the waiter then offered us a choice of 'aperatif', we both opted for the vodka and fresh orange cocktail, which was both tasty and very refreshing, A few minutes later the first of four 'amuse bouche' arrived. Very tasty, and just enough to leave us wanting more. We were both now expectantly expecting a true gourmet evening. Approximately 40 minutes after we arrived, we were asked to take out table in the restaurant. Very nice. Not too many tables, nice decor, (barring the piece of 'modern art' that resembled a fetus). Now, I won't bore you with a running comentary of each dish, suffice it to say: Very nice. Very nice that is until the 'Cuckoo of Malines' which is slow braised breast of chicken, a veloute of wild mushrooms and grilled foire gras and a vol au vent with lemon. We both had to leave the majority of this, due to what appeared to be grit. I have eaten in some very good, starred restaurants in many countries, and I have never had this problem before. I understand that wild mushrooms are not to be washed, but they are always scrupulously brushed. When we told the waitress about this, she said it is due to the fact that they were wild mushrooms. Even the chef came and told us the same. Grit from mushrooms, wild or not, is just unacceptable in any restaurant, starred or not. Anyway, the meal was good. Not what I would consider 2 Michelin star good, but nevertheless a worthwhile experience, the wine pairings were an excellent accompaniment, the service impeccable. We left the table at about 23:45 satisfied with our evening, and retired upstairs to bed. There are no tea or coffee making facilites in the room. The restaurant serves breakfast from 08:30 - 10:00, and we were expecting a treat after the previous evenings offering, and the fact that it was 25 Euros per person for breakfast. Disappointed is an understatement. A cold offering of smoked salmon or ham, over crisp bread rolls, a choice of juice, not very fresh coffee, oh and a boiled egg, (extra charge for omelette or scrambled). No toast on offer. Not my idea of a 4 star hotel let alone a michelin star restaurant. So, in conclusion. A nice meal but very expensive for what it is, a decent hotel room but a terrible breakfast. Would we return ?? I doubt it, at just under 700 Euros for the meal, room and breakfast, there are many much more reasonable venue available.

Very nice restaurant. Deserve his Michelin 2 stars. Very welcoming chef and perfect service. Interesting wine card. And classical dishes twisted with modernity and taste

Food was ok, passionate sommelier, desserts were stunningly delicious and could compensate for the mediocre food. Biggest letdown was that the hostess showed us the door in a very un-attentive way around 4:30pm. We arrived at noon and took the degustation menu of which the last course only arrived at 4 pm. Instead of putting customers outside in an unfriendly way, she should ask herself why the service took so long. Nothing is so annoying to be thrown out with the food still in your throat. Not appropriate, if you ask me.

This is a lovely hotel and two-starred Michelin restaurant on the Belgian coast, right by the beach. Rooms are spacious, clean, comfortable with nice toiletries and hot shower. Our room looked down into the dessert kitchen, where we saw delicious creations being made. Even in the winter when going to the beach isn't ideal, it is a great place for a break. Wi fi is not very strong, which is the only drawback.

Very nice restaurant with top quality food and wines. Very friendly hosts!

Little to say except that every aspect of or visit was perfection.

When land meets sea, it tells the story of food.

Super TOP

Great ambiance and very good and attentive staff. We opted for the special lunch menu which is a bargain of 65 € pp for a 2 Michelin star. The menu starts with some home made bread which is amazing! One of the best bread I've had in a while. Then 4 amuse bouche: salmon tataki and quinoa, oyster, shrimp croquette (my fav) and red mullet with coffee and chicory. Came after a starter of sole and leek, super yummy. Then the main of pheasant in zingara sauce. I thought there wasnt enough pheasant to taste it properly eventhough everything was well cooked. This is why I've only put 4/5 stars. The dessert was a cold sabayon with a chocolate ice cream and mango mousse. Super yummy! Overall a very good address in De Panne and worth a visit!

On the way back from Paris, we met up with my bf's sister and fiancé for dinner. They had many great meals at Le Fox and it was just passed the border of Northern France at the most western point of Belgium. A nice drive through the countryside took us to De Panne, a quaint seaside resort town where Hostellerie Le Fox was located. The restaurant was in the hotel by the same name owned by chef/owner Stéphane Buyens. It was pouring down rain the hotel offered free valet at the door. We were running a little behind but the restaurant staff warmly welcomed us. We sat in the hotel's lounge area which was a cozy space filled with Chef Buyens' paintings as well. Shortly after ordering some champagne, we decided on taking the Mer Sauvage or Wild Sea menu the two Michelin star chef came out to greet us he was quite a humble and down-to-earth chef. To start we were treated to an amuse bouche at the casual lounge, three creations of seafood - crab salad with foam, a dual soup with fish and fried shallots, and lastly a smoked eel with beets and a beet crisp. They were all very fresh, high quality ingredient with a fresh taste. We were led into the formal dining room, the room was part traditional part British gentleman's club and part hunting lodge. We had a very nice table by the window it was cozy and warm. The service in the dining room was immaculate from beginning to the end. The first course was the wild Breton turbot with mushrooms, tomato and olive oil snow. The fish was very fresh and cooked perfectly. Second course was a fresh salad of brussels sprouts leaves, postelein, scallop, cockle and hazelnut topped with a poached farm egg and caviar cream. It was a classically prepared dish with a hint of surprise in textures and rather decadent. Third course was a slow cooked ocean pout or eelpout with a fondue of Jambon de Trevelez aged 42 months, an emulsion of celeric root and green celery lavas chevril mousse and Perles Blanches oysters. Unusual fine ingredients that were subtly used in the dish but with much thoughts. Fourth course was venison mignonettes from the Ardennes, flan of broccoli and bouchon potato, with preserves of onions and reduction of red wine and grand veneur. It was a perfectly cooked venison went well with the sweetness of the onion preserve. The two men had the cheese course for an additional 17 Euro, the cheeses were unpasteurised. A good selection of cheeses with really great flavors. Before the last course, was a variety of palate cleansing desserts in particular one that had calamansi lime it reminded me of home, of Asia, such exquisite take on ingredients. Fifth course was a tart of fresh figs, pears, bananas and cacao with spring honey ice cream and meringue. In each course the wine was paired with the food. Fine selection of wine including a Sauvignon Blanc from South Africa which I loved. After the last course we had more desserts from a tray of beatifully handmade desserts such as tarts, belgian cookies, pound cake and bokkepootjes, which we enjoyed with good coffee and tea. It was a very enjoyable meal, most of all the food and service were fantastic!

Le Fox is a Michelin two starred restaurant and was my first experience of eating in a two star Michelin establishment. Le Fox is a wonderful experience of luxury service from the moment you arrive, if you are driving your car is parked for you. We had the set lunch without additional wine but there was never any sign of being treated any less special than the big spenders and wine drinkers. The set lunch is 50e and well worth it for a special occasion. It felt like course after course was brought to us, delicate individual dishes with a fish emphasis(obviously as so close to the sea) and delightful tastes, textures as well as beautiful presentation. The lunch menu comes with a selected glass of red wine and white wine, or for the non drinkers mineral water. It is actually a three course menu but amuse bouche to start with etc made it feel like one of the tasting menus you read about.