Restaurant review: Colonel Fort Jaco

Chaussée de Waterloo 1405, 1180 Uccle

What’s good? Colonel serves some of the best meat in Brussels. From Wagyu beef burgers to mouth-watering steaks to rotisserie chicken, this restaurant does everything well.

We started with a creamy burrata and fresh tomatoes, and a platter of delicious Iberian hams. Both were exceptional, but go for the hams if you can only have one. For main, the juicy Colonel ribeye steak is packed with smoky flavor and the accompanying beef-fat fries are top tier too.

If you’ve got space, the dessert card is a delight. The deconstructed pavlova, featuring blackcurrant sorbet, crumbly meringue and seasonal fruits, is light and tangy. The Colonel “Snickers” is more heavy duty with ice cream, peanuts and chocolate, but no less tasty.

The servers know exactly which drink pairs best with your main course so, unless you’re a real wine connoisseur, just follow their advice.

What’s not? The prices. Prepare for your wallet to take a real whack. (It is worth it though, honestly.)

Vibe: Huge glass windows and soft lighting give Colonel a delightful ambience, perfect for a date or a confidential business chat. The staff were also very happy to cater to dietary requirements.

Who’s picking up the check? If there’s any way you can get this on expenses, do it. Starter, main, dessert and a couple of drinks will set you back at least €100 each — and more if you opt for one of the prime cuts of meat.

Spotted: A lot of flashy cars parked outside: Bentleys, Maseratis and the like, indicating an elite clientèle — among which your reviewer felt wholly out of place.

Insider tip: Head over to the butcher shop counter inside the restaurant and personally select which cut of meat you’d like from the eclectic choice.

How to get there: It’s a bit of a trek from the EU Quarter, so probably better for a relaxed dinner than quick lunch bite. Get the metro round to Porte de Hal, then it’s a 20-minute bus ride down into the heart of leafy Uccle.

Review published on  September 12, 2024. Illustration by Natália Delgado/POLITICO.