Lori Dardikman and Tom Sas on the terrace next to the greenery of the Mechelsesteenweg. — © Dirk Kerstens
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Tom Sas (40) and Lori Dardikman, the couple behind the Mediterranean restaurant chain BokerTov, have a new creation. With Laila by BokerTov, she and chef Thomas Swenters are taking their southern cuisine to a higher level. Literally too, because Laila is occupying the ninth floor of an Antwerp office building: a unique view is guaranteed.
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Johan Van Baelen
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The full name of the rooftop restaurant, Laila by Bokertov, clearly refers to the same cuisine, the same Mediterranean scene and the balmy nights of Tel Aviv. At the top, the view is fabulous, because the restaurant has terraces on three of the four sides and thus offers panoramas over a thick 270°. You can see the new provincial house, Nieuw Zuid and Den Bell on the lounge side, at the back of the old Electrabeltoren (or Fosbury & Sons) and on the Mechelsesteenweg side you have a piece of Boerentoren, a small piece of MAS and a slightly larger London Tower. A solid handful of windmills from the harbor also appear on the horizon.
The restaurant terrace is also located on the Mechelsesteenweg side. It is striking that you look over the green city boulevard from your table. You just sit on top of the tops of the trees, there is no better calmer.
One bite tastes like a holiday
The fine dining that Tom Sas and Lori Dardikman want to bring to Laila fits in perfectly with this. ”It’s not BokerTov”, says Tom, “but just like there, the menu is inspired by everything that comes from the Middle East. The inspiration and vibes of Tel Aviv hang here in the house and in the kitchen. It is no coincidence that the only dish we take from BokerTov is the most successful, the Sabish. But in Laila it is not a filled pita bread, here we present it more refined. On top of a piece of that pita bread comes amba, a mango curry dressing. Then comes grilled eggplant, a little hummus and an Israeli vegetable salad.” Chef Thomas finishes it off with a kieviteitje and some nasturtiums. Tom Sas calls it a bit edited, but that is too modest: with one bite you have a view of the beach of Tel Aviv. Wow.
–The Sabian with nasturtiums on top of the edible flowers. — © Dirk Kerstens
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A few snacks beforehand had already set the tone. How about marinated watermelon topped with dried flakes of bonito mackerel? The dishes mentioned come from the menu that Laila presents on Thursday and Friday. For 89 euros per person you get three starters, three starters, a warm starter, a main course and a dessert. For lunch you take the same menu or choose from a limited menu. For example, the coffee-cardamon ice cream on a crumble of coffee and cocoa. There is also boenk oep.
And then Laila didn’t show her sultry side yet. Laila literally means ‘daughter of the night’ and she wants to swing her legs loose. “It can be fun”, says Tom. “If you’ve shaken your shoulders a few times or lifted the gap between starter and dessert, that’s okay. It is spacious enough everywhere. We don’t clear a dance floor, but if you want, feel free to go wild. You go to a restaurant to feel good, right?”
–In Laila there is enough space to dance. Or you can enjoy the sunset on one side and eat on the other terrace. — © Dirk Kerstens
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