Eat with hands and heart-a life inspiration day

Toukoul is a remarkable restaurant in Brussels, in an amazing warm interior serving unknown Ethiopian food.

Deco-wise they found a nice blend between a contemporary, cosmpolitan style and some bold authentic features like the entire wooden wall, constructed out of rough basic beams or some original used nature elements like the stone-turned-washbowl.

The staff looks beautiful (yes, that’s the word), and they are absolutely one of the most friendly I’ve ever met in resto business. The cocktails mixed by the guy who worked at the legendary bar l’Archiduc’and the regular music bands that play, add to the vibrant atmosphere.

The food? Ah!Something special, indeed…

First you get a mini hot towel to wash your hands and you choose one dish (or some of the typical Ethiopian suggestions).

The dishes arrive in bowls, a silver large plate is set on the table with inside an XL but light pancake. The different dishes are put on the plate on the pancake. No silverware, you use your hands or a small, rolled pancake that’s on the side and serves as tool-to-eate.

A great ritual in Ethiopia, is the fact that when you eat together, you put the first bite of the dish in the mouth of your partner. A welcoming gesture that strangely enough is not that weird at all. It brings back a delicate intimacy, that sets the tone for the evening.

Desert? Off course. Grilled pineapple, with roasted herbs (not sweet at all), in combination with some ice cream and a berry ‘coulis’. WITH SILVERWARE.