The iconic Monk café in Brussels has reopened as 'Billie' after undergoing renovations. The café will maintain the traditions that made it famous, in particular serving its famous spaghetti.
The Monk café closed its doors last year due to a disagreement with the property owner, Horeca Logistic Services (HLS).
Steven De Visscher, Leentje Bruyninckx and Dries Heyman, the new managers, have symbolically closed the chapter to relaunch as Billie. They intend to maintain the DNA behind the cafe's fame.
Despite the name change, the "Monk spirit" so beloved by customers will remain, Heyman said. The same concept will continue, with a menu focused on the famous homemade pasta dishes and local ties that characterized the restaurant before it was forced to close.
Extensive renovations have been made to restore the restaurant's prestige, both in terms of décor and infrastructure. Local microbrewery Belgoo has created a Brussels IPA brewed especially for the reopening.
For Dries Heyman, opening this new chapter has been the "best experience" of the last few months. Leentje Bruyninckx, who is experienced in running Brussels cafés, will nurture the new team "like a mother hen," she said. She is passionate about preserving the authentic character of Brussels and regrets the proliferation of chains in recent years.
Steven De Visscher, the third partner and former manager of the Monk café, brings experience to the table. "As a son of hoteliers and former Monk manager, I'm reconnecting with my roots and I'm aware of the areas that need to be improved, whether behind the scenes or at the bar."
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