History

Nestled at 148a Avenue Winston Churchill in Uccle, the address that now houses Le Pilea is steeped in a rich culinary tradition.

At the dawn of the 20th century, what is now Avenue Winston Churchill was called Avenue Longchamp, and the establishment that once stood here was already a tavern called the Vélodrome, a gathering place for cycling enthusiasts. It was known as the "Réunion des Cyclistes," a popular meeting place for enthusiasts from the Brussels Velodrome, which operated a few streets away until 1901.

Decades have passed, but the friendly spirit of the place has remained intact. After the Vélodrome, other establishments have taken over.

Before becoming Le Pilea, this location was home to iconic establishments such as Le Churchill and L'Estanquet, each of which left an indelible mark on the hearts of Uccle residents.

L'Estanquet, opened in 1983, was renowned for its cuisine worthy of the grand Parisian brasseries, offering traditional dishes such as fish waterzooi, a duo of solettes meunière-style, escalope Estanquet, hanger steak with shallots, leg of lamb with thyme sauce, and of course, its famous Americano (French onion) ... In addition, he named the private dining room at the back of the restaurant "L'Estanquet," thus perpetuating the name and spirit of this beloved spot among Uccle residents.

By reviving these culinary traditions and infusing them with his own passion, David invites Pilea's guests to share an authentic experience, steeped in local history and the pleasure of fine dining.