Rosch, hidden treasure in the city of taste (Hasselt)

Hidden gems. We love them at Puredeluxe. Off the beaten track. Away from the hustle and bustle. The danger of hidden gems, of course, is that the more people start “buzzing” about the hotspot, the more the place no longer remains to you. So be it. Hidden Gem Rosch restaurant in Hasselt can easily become a hotspot. As long as it doesn’t lose its authentic character and we still find a place to sit down to so much hospitality and gastronomic pleasure in Hasselt every now and then.

“It is worth the detour” is said to be displayed in many an international city guide. C’est vrai. Rosch’s premises are hardly noticeable in a pleasant side street of Hasselt’s ring road. As deep as it is high, you have to pass the bar to get to the seats. The full 11 of KRC Genk and their coach can just get in. And then it gets tense to receive extra guests. But this intimacy appears to be the key word in Rosch’s concept. The payroll of the restaurant is considerably reduced with only one kitchen/washing up assistant in addition to the two owners. However, the power duo Glenn Ross and Nicole Schellekens have enough energy to light up the entire Luminus arena. Glenn and Nicole got to know each other at Peter Goossens‘s shop before opting for a foreign adventure at the Australian branch of The Fat Duck.

In Hasselt, however, they go for a straightforward approach. You can choose from a handful of dishes in the starter, main, and dessert sections. No pre-manufactured menu, but you have to make your own choices and hopefully find the right combos. No worries, the super friendly Nicole guides you smoothly through the inviting menu.

All the dishes on the table were of an astonishing simplicity but also downright taste bombs. The buttermilk mashers with grey shrimp (yes, hand peeled) and quail egg melted in the mouth. In the starter, the chef showed that he knows how to bring out the right degree of acidity in the dishes: the smoked eel was beautifully contrasted with the oyster with vichysoisse. In the main course, a beautiful skate wing was served ‘à l’ancienne’. Read: with the right beurre blanc and capers. For sure Peter Goossens taught him to prepare these classics perfectly. We ended with Fairybread ‘Rosch’: a beautiful signature dessert with mango and popcorn.

Conclusion: So, ‘the word is out’, Rosch is one of our favourites when we are in or around Hasselt. Dear guests, please leave us a table now and then. And Glenn and Nicole: keep up the good work. The title of best restaurant concept by Venuez was no fluke after all!

Practical:

Address: Dorpsstraat 34, 3500 Hasselt

Opening times:

Telephone:011 18 27 93
Reservation: https://wwc.resengo.com/rosch_bvba_hasselt

Do you want to discover more great food spots? Take a look at our PureFood page!