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eally folksy feel, it has something for everyone. As such, each
and every borough still retains its own personality. Here in Heist,
you can still hear local dialects being spoken in bars. At Tussen
Land en Zee [a local bar], for instance, local folklore societies still
often meet up at the back.
Christian: Not to mention, they have the best draught Stella
Artois!
WHAT PLACES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND
VISITING IN KNOKKE-HEIST?
Christian: I sometimes enjoy browsing the local interior design
shops, such as Final Touch and Bea Items on Kustlaan, or that
interior design shop by the roundabout on Zoutelaan... what’s it
called again?
Ann: Karlijn Wolters!
DO YOU ALSO GO OUT AND SAMPLE THE
LOCAL COMPETITION?
Christian: What competition (he laughs)? No, just kidding.
We don’t see the other restauranteurs in Knokke-Heist as competitors,
simply good friends. Everyone has their own style. We
don’t copy or look down our noses at one another. As a result,
we all have our own customer bases and are able to happily
coexist.
Ann: Christian even goes cycling every week with the so-called
‘competition’.
Christian: Oh yes (he says looking excited)! Together with a few
other restauranteurs, we sometimes go cycling. This is convenient,
as we naturally tend to be closed on the same days. I often
go with the people at Bartholomeus, Le Boudin Sauvage, Escabeche,
Cuines 33... I hope I’m not forgetting anyone (he frets).
APART FROM RIDING BIKES, WHAT DO YOU GUYS
GET UP TO IN YOUR FREE TIME?
Ann: We enjoy going for walks. Of course, Knokke-Heist has a lot
to offer walkers. You can drink in the fresh sea air on the beach
or head for the natural surroundings of Het Zwin. Chris also likes
to surf.
Ann: During our annual holiday, we always go skiing. We definitely
prefer snow to sun. The nature, the outdoors, the sport, the
food after all that exercise... pure bliss! And now, as there is no
après-ski because of the pandemic, we actually end up coming
back well rested for once. If not, I suppose we could always give
the sun a try!
DO YOU PREFER WINTER TO SUMMER? IS THAT
ALSO THE BEST TIME OF YEAR IN KNOKKE-HEIST
FOR YOU GUYS?
Christian: Definitely! The peace and quiet, seeing our regulars,
taking long walks on the beach with our terrier Ronnie romping
around in the dunes... nothing compares to a relaxing walk on
the beach on a cool, clear winter morning in Knokke-Heist.
Ann: And a hot waffle in the afternoon from the Marie-Siska
tearoom!
Christian: Knokke-Heist also makes a real effort to put events
on throughout the year. There’s always a reason to come to
Knokke-Heist. Last Christmas, for example, we had the Light
Art Festival, a wonderful initiative that brought together light and
art. And we benefit from it too. From visitors to local traders,
Brasserie Bristol was full every night.
Ann: Knokke-Heist is also home a lot of second-home owners.
With teleworking becoming more established following the pandemic,
we hope to see them come stay both for longer and more
frequently. By working during the day and enjoying Knokke-Heist
in the evening, every day can feel like a holiday!
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