ristorazione — Knokke-Heist · Fiandre Occidentali
On Rubensplein in Knokke-Heist, where the Zeedijk looks out over the North Sea, Il Rialto brings Italian cooking to the stage with the resolve of those who make no compromises: genuine passion, seasonal produce, a menu that travels the length of the peninsula.
The entrance on Rubensplein already tells you the measure of the place: an Italian restaurant that has chosen one of the brightest outlooks on the Flemish coast, the square in front and the North Sea beyond. The setting is modern and well kept, made for lingering over a meal without hurry, from the midday break through to evening.
The dining room carries the Venetian inspiration that runs through the whole place: a modern, air-conditioned space that catches the light off the square. The wine list is put together with care, portions are generous — as more than one guest has noted — and the welcome is that of an Italian home: warm, straightforward, quick to put you at ease from the first moment.
In the kitchen works chef Benjamin Postel, recognised by Gault Millau and named Pizzaiolo of the Year in Belgium. The pizzas come out of the wood-fired oven with doughs made in the Italian tradition; the menu sets classics like osso buco and spaghetti alle vongole alongside more elaborate creations, among them lobster ravioli with bisque sauce.
Every dish is the destination of a kitchen that never improvises: an authentic Italian table, looking out over the North Sea.
