La Distillerie is one of the few real fine-dining restaurants in Luxembourg. That is remarkable, given the fact that Luxembourg is one of the best economic regions in the world and that the small country has a central location squeezed in between Belgium, France and Germany. The beauty of the country makes a trip to Luxembourg worthwhile, and restaurants such as La Distillerie even more.

Restaurant La Distillerie is located inside the castle ‘Château de Bourglinster’ that can be found in the picturesque town of Bourglinster in the southeast part of Luxembourg. A walk around the village of Bourglinster to viewpoints in the forest and historical sights is a great activity before or after a meal at La Distillerie. The beautifully restored castle ‘Château de Bourglinster’ dates from the 12th century and can be visited upon request. Inside the castle, there is also a second restaurant, Brasserie Côté Cour, and different areas for banquets and parties.

Guests enter ‘Château de Bourglinster’ through the impressive bridge and gate which sets the atmosphere for a memorable experience. The gourmet restaurant La Distillerie has its entrance on the main square inside the castle. The interior is characterised by the antique style that is found everywhere throughout the castle. White linen, spacious tables and atmospheric lighting and artworks enhance the comfort.

Let us move on to the heart of the restaurant: the kitchen. Chef René Mathieu waves the sceptre here and does that with flair and respect for his colleagues, the ingredients and the environment. That last point is very important for the chef. Every day, he goes out foraging in the woods just in front of the castle, where he finds many herbs and vegetables for his kitchen. The chef hails inspiration from these beautiful surroundings and that is translated into his dishes. Nature is related to a light and healthy cuisine, which are indeed two other aspects that characterise his cuisine. The chef uses modern techniques to create dishes focussed on herbs, vegetables and fruits, that are bursting with flavours and creativity.

René Mathieu’s tasting menus are the best way to get a good idea of his kitchen. One can choose between a vegetarian menu and a menu where the chef adds meat, fish and poultry. Unlike other restaurants, the chef uses his meat and fish as side products and the vegetables and herbs are the kings and queens of his plates. Good examples include the asparagus selection with black sesame, a white asparagus foam, fermented emulsion and herbs; or the lobster and lemon velouté with fresh herbs, different mushroom variations, mushroom powder, ravioli with herb cheese, finished with mushroom juice. Service in the restaurant is serene and professional, and the interesting wine menu offers great bottles to match the chef’s dishes. For an even better matching, you can also opt for beautifully balanced wine arrangements.

La Distillerie might be the best and most remarkable gourmet restaurant in Luxembourg. The focus on herbs and vegetables, the stunning location inside a beautiful castle, and the high level of Chef René Mathieu’s balanced kitchen, make La Distillerie a great gastronomic stop in this small country.

Written by Sven & Frank