A fishy, friendly family affair TEXT: ELLA PUT | PHOTOS: DE HUIFKAR
Situated in the small yet picturesque Belgian seaside town of Koksijde, restaurant De Huifkar is the perfect way to end or start the day in a beautiful costal area. With breathtaking views across the Flemish shore, guests can enjoy delicious fresh lobster in a restaurant that feels like a family home. “We have a wonderful mix of guests: elderly couples from Koksijde who come in for a quick bite and young families on their weekend getaway. Everyone is more than welcome here,” says co-owner and hostess Ann Hoflack. Her husband, Ronny, who is De Huifkar’s chef, started the restaurant almost 43 years ago. His passion for cooking and her helping hand as the hostess made De Huifkar into a success. “The funny thing is that most children ask their parents to come back to our 98 | Issue 29 | May 2016
restaurant time after time. To hear that children get such a good vibe from the atmosphere and the food is the biggest compliment we can get,” says Ann, citing a Dutch proverb: “You know what they say, the truth comes from a child’s mouth.”
meal a nine out of ten rating in its annual challenge, The Biggest Test. Furthermore, De Huifkar holds the title of Bib Gourmand Restaurant, awarded by the prestigious Michelin guide, meaning that the restaurant offers excellent value for money too.
The family atmosphere in the restaurant can also be found in the kitchen, where chef Ronny and his son Bas prepare delicious meals for their guests. Recommended by the chefs is the lobster with citrus butter, known as the Bouillabaisse, which is freshly made every day and is often referred to as a real culinary highlight. “The secret is the citrus butter – it’s a recipe that has been in the family for many years now,” Ronny explains.
“We hope that the restaurant will stay in the family,” says Ann. “Our son, Bas, is a great help in the kitchen. Me and my husband are slowly taking some steps back so that he can take over and run the restaurant one day.”
The family recipe has been a success and the meal is widely known. Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad gave the
www.dehuifkar.be
De Huifkar is a wonderful family affair with the most delicious fresh seafood recipes in town and, perhaps most importantly, served in a friendly atmosphere.