Kaatsspelstraat 5
8690 Alveringem
West Flanders

Open:  Daily 10.00-??(late)
Closed Mondays

Website:
www.deveurnambachtse.be

Jan Missiaen belongs to the fifth generation of a family of butchers.  In 1980 he started ‘De Veurn’ Ambachtse’ in Alveringem.  The name means ‘Veurne craftsmanship’ and from the beginning he was determined to use traditional artisanal methods rather than industrial processes.  The same philosophy was applied to the selection of ingredients using only pure and natural, quality controlled materials, so you never find artificial colouring in the products.  In 2006 they became the first company to be awarded the new brand denoting authentic local products.

In 2001 Jan’s son Joris and daughter Carmen joined the business and expanded De Veurn’Ambachtse by opening what they called the Praat-, eet- en kunstcafé ‘t Potje Pâté.  The first part of the name means the ‘chat-, eat- and art-café’ – we have to confess that we have looked at the pictures, chatted a certain amount, but given most of our attention to the central function of the café, which is, after all, meant to be a showcase for their gastronomic delights.

The menu includes small appetiser portions of pâté, cheese or both, and soup of the day with bread; it moves on to traditional open sandwiches, with various toppings, served with side salads; Belgian favourites such as shrimp or cheese croquettes; local specialities such as boards of meat, pâté, or cheeses – this includes the favourite (if you’ve got help and both have room for it!) a whole dish of pâté for two, accompanied by all the trimmings and a large bottle of Abbey beer (or wine, if you must!); all kinds of steaks; children's portions (which can be ordered by adults who aren’t so hungry – no ageism here!); and the Dagschotel – dish of the day – listed on the blackboards and always good value as long as you’re rather hungry.  And if you want to skip the savouries there’s a wicked range of desserts!

Getting on to even more important matters, the beer list offers a few of the usual suspects on draught (Jupiler, Leffe) but also Liefmans Kriek and Liefmans Jan van Gent.  Liefmans products are not so often seen on draught but rarer still is a house beer made for them by Liefmans.  It’s called ‘t Potje Bier (little pot of beer) and is a refreshing drink which accompanies the food very well – and it’s served so nicely! 

And if you go on to bottled beers there’s a choice of more than 35, with Westmalle and Chimay representing the Trappists, Kapittel, St Bernardus,  and Tripel Karmeliet among the abbey beers, and an opportunity to try the Queue de Charrue brand from ‘Plugstreet’ (Ploegsteert) in blonde or brown.