Knokke-Heist, The last ribs are baked, the last beers tapped: after 128 years, restaurant ‘t Hespekotje in Knokke-Heist final close. After a dispute with the landlord, decided managers Marc Degroote and Sabrina Steyaert a new challenge on the Zeedijk. In Brasserie Sabrina is – for practical reasons – be no more place for the well-known spare ribs à volonté. “We hope, in the winter months still to find a solution. We want to distinguish ourselves from the other eateries in the neighborhood,” says Marc.
these are busy days for Marc and Sabrina. They are already more than twenty years of business and start from 1 may, with a completely new challenge. After the compulsory closure of ‘t Hespekotje take them to the Rubensplein in Knokke, close to the Seawall, an existing brasserie and give it their own interpretation. “It is a new start, but we have a lot of sense in that,” says Marc. “Of course it will get used. Over the past 28 years we have a huge and beautiful memories created in ‘t Hespekotje. But stay there, it was not an option.” So will there finally be an end to a tradition in Knokke-Heist. ‘t Hespekotje already existed since 1890 and was already on its sixth owners.
Last weekend, explained to Sabrina and Marc for the last time the famous ribs on the grill in their former restaurant along the Heistlaan. The reason is as striking as sin: a dispute with the landlord. The owner, a Dutchman, refuses to invest in the dilapidated building and now wants to offer it for sale. Remain, however, was not to Marc and Sabrina spent. “We have been working for twenty years blindly together. Honestly? Despite our experience, it will be something to adjust, and search. But actually this is normal. Everything is back to new,” say Marc and Sabrina.
