Frasca

The story

Frasca: Authentic Italian Cooking in Ixelles

The founders and the kitchen

Frasca brings authentic Italian cooking to Ixelles through the vision of Éric Lécuyer and Karima Mathonet. After establishing a vineyard in Italy, the couple returned to Belgium to merge their culinary roots with a new urban concept. Their approach earned a spot on the 2026 Le Fooding list for offering something distinct among nearby hotel restaurants. This Italian kitchen balances regional Tuscan ingredients with fresh deliveries from local markets.

Handmade pasta and seasonal plates

Guests step into a working pasta atelier where fettuccine, pappardelle, and rigatoni are rolled each morning using artisanal flour and quality eggs. The daily menu shifts around market arrivals, typically featuring four antipasti and four primi before moving to seasonal secondi. Signature preparations include a crisp roasted pancetta served alongside baked winter vegetables and a rich maccheroni all’amatriciana that bends traditional Roman rules. A dense chocolate mousse often closes the meal when diners seek something substantial after service.

The shop and wine selection

Bare brick walls and warm timber paneling frame a dual-purpose space that functions as both dining room and grocery. The cellar holds over two hundred bottles, with a clear preference for natural wines produced in central Italy. Shelves display regional cheeses, cured meats, olive oil, and house-made sauces that customers can purchase for home meals. The establishment follows one straightforward principle, allowing guests to take home any dish they enjoy during service.