Indulged in a Meticulous Steak amidst the Cosy Charm of a West Flanders Restaurant on this Valentine's Day

Hi again, welcome back to MY MOOD blog!

Today, for my first post after the introduction , I want to share my first Valentine's Day experience with my boyfriend—a day filled with sweet moments and heartfelt gestures.

Where I'm from, Valentine's Day usually means women giving gifts (mostly chocolates) to the guys they fancy. I vividly remember the day before Valentine’s Day; my mum (she's an amazing cook/baker) and I were in the kitchen where the rich aroma of cocoa and cinnamon are mingling as we hand-crafted our very own chocolates. Then, I packed them in charming bags. The next day, I'd give them to a boy who lived in the same condo when I was in primary school— a simple memory that now feels so pleasantly nostalgic.

It's not just between guys and girls, though. Friends exchange gifts too, which I find incredibly sweet and heartwarming. It's also a great excuse to hit the department store for a little luxury.

What’s your tradition of Valentine’s Day? I’d love to know if you have your favourite Valentine’s Day memory!

Ever since I moved out of the country, I kind of let go of that ritual, almost forgetting about it. But this year was different! While in Belgium with my boyfriend on Valentine's Day, he surprised me by booking his favourite childhood steakhouse for us! How exciting!

To top it all off, he gave me a rose and the cutest card with a sweet message during my lunch break from Friday’s work.

As soon as my work was done, we headed to a steakhouse in the little town of Veurne in West Flanders. The drive from his house was an adventure in itself! I absolutely adore driving through Belgium; it's so peaceful, and the sunsets are simply breathtaking. The sun dips low especially in the winter time, casting everything in a dreamy, nostalgic orange glow... I could not get enough of this. But on that particular day, we set off after the sunset, which was fine, we still enjoyed our own company.

We arrived in the town and parked the car on a small street. The town was small and cosy, while the restaurant offered ample space with a warm and inviting atmosphere, thanks to its wooden furnishings. It provided a perfect setting for romantic dinner dates, making us feel close and comfortable.

We were seated at a table near the kitchen, where we could hear the staff chatting. My boyfriend said, "They are true West Flemish!" and explained how the restaurant's decorations, menu, and hospitality are deeply rooted in West Flanders culture.

I enjoy when he talks about his culture with me!

We ordered a glass of red wine (French Pinot Noir) and they served us some bread and butter. But wait, this wasn’t just any butter—it was beef fat oil! I’ve never tried that on bread before, usually saving it for grilling beef. My curiosity was piqued! He tried it first and loved it, and then it was my turn. I gave it a try too—surprisingly tasty! Though I must admit, I still have a soft spot for regular butter.

For the main course, we ordered a Ribeye steak from Ireland with a side of fries (of course!).

The steak was massive—450g of pure delight! I paired it with Béarnaise sauce, and it was divine. It melted in my mouth after just a few chews. The balance of red meat and fat was a perfect 10/10 for me. And the Béarnaise sauce? It highlighted the beef’s sweetness beautifully. Mmm, I adored it. It paired wonderfully with my Pinot Noir too.

My boyfriend opted for butter sauce, so I had to try a bite with that as well. Yum! Even though it was the same meat, the flavour was completely different with the butter sauce, which I thoroughly enjoyed. With the butter sauce, the meat’s taste really shone through!

At last, we took the plunge and ordered dessert! I spotted a speculoos cheesecake on the menu and thought, "Why not, right? I love speculoos and you love cheesecake." Ever since my frequent flyer miles started piling up with trips to Belgium, my love for speculoos has been off the charts. But now with cheese? Oh, I was all in!

This delightful cake arrived in a bamboo box, dressed up like it was going to a Valentine's Day party. The taste? Oh, it was deliciously sweet—maybe a tad too sweet, but hey, I was ready for it. By the end, I was more than happy with my sweet adventure.

After we devoured all that lovely food and wine, we walked out of the restaurant feeling indulged. The food and service were fantastic, and I'd totally go back for that same meat, haha!

Our drive back was relaxed and filled with gratitude. I deeply appreciate how a meal in a cosy setting with wonderful company can turn an ordinary day into something truly special.

THANK YOU!

I hope you enjoyed and were able to sense a bit of my beautiful cosy experience.

See you next time!

My MOOD