Bohemian breakfast in Ghent

by Bruce McMichael
Le Jardin Bohemien in Ghent, Belgium
Le Jardin Bohemien in Ghent, Belgium

Choosing to breakfast among amazing interior design in the middle the historic, bustling Belgium city of Ghent was a no-brainer. Exploring the city’s thriving cafe and restaurant and cafe scene during a long weekend cycle tour of the country, this morning we were heading for ‘La Bohemien Jardin’. It was no coincidence that we happened on this particular cafe and B&B. We had read all about it in the newly published coffee table book, ‘Bohemian Modern’ written by US-born, London-based stylist and author Emily Henson (@lifeunstyled). In her book, Emily describes the owners, Jeanpierre and Kristine creating ‘a home so stylish and creative that is almost defies words’.

Cream, with ice cream and iced coffee hidden at the bottom of the glass
Cream, with ice cream and iced coffee hidden at the bottom of the glass

While we didn’t get to see the upper floors where the family live – it was guarded by some serious taxidermy (adult male stag, fox, badger and sheep (!) on a huge mezzanine landing – the sprawling ground floor cafe in Emily’s words, was a place that “mixes old and new, taxidermy and plywood, neon pink and peeling paint for a style that resists categorization. As well as being a cool place for coffee and cake, everything in the cafe is for sale – because why not?”

Taxidermy keeping watch
Taxidermy keeping watch

Thus we found ourselves cycling through Ghent on a fresh, early Sunday morning in mid-September looking forward a hearty breakfast to set us on our way for the day’s sixty or so miles taking us from Ghent to Ypres, our final destination. However, on this Autumnal morning we were to get our energy not from fried eggs and ham, but from coffee bursting with cream, delicate and moreishly tempting pain au chocolates and mini croissant and freshly squeezed orange juice. This is not a place that does the ‘full English’ of eggs, bacon, sausage … we discovered.

An eclectic mix of vintage and new, wood and neon
An eclectic mix of vintage and new, wood and neon

So. fuelled up after an hour in the cafe and enjoying watching increasing numbers of stylish people amble in with newspapers and a need for good, strong coffee, we headed back out into the cool air, seeking road signs leading us to towards more coffee at around 11 and then onward for chips and national favourite Tangelo beer for lunch.

Ten wheels across Belgium
Ten wheels across Belgium

www.lejardinbohemien.be

 

 

 

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Bruce McMichael

Food writing, discovering food stories, meeting producers, chefs and food enthusiasts are all part of desire to inspire, inform my readers and fellow food lovers. I am a freelance writer, journalist and published author focusing on the international world of food and drink, culture and travel. In 2019 I graduated from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy with a Masters in Food Culture, Communication and Marketing. I am now a visiting Professor at the university teaching Food & Drink Writing. Based in London I travel widely, particularly across western Europe. I have chaired many conferences and meetings, spoken at conferences and events and often appear on radio and TV talking most about food, the business of food and being an entrepreneur. In 2017 I won an episode of the ITV (the UK-based national television channel) cooking competition show, 'Gordon Ramsay's Culinary Genius'. I took my children on holiday to Sicily with the prize money. As an experienced farmers' market manager and operator of a small marmalade/ preserves company, I am very familiar with the issues surrounding local food, farming, enterprise and the environment.