Restaurant to have menus with an international flavor

Bebette Smith's culinary memories of her native Belgium include seafood and fries.

• Photos

Charmain Z. Brackett/Correspondent

Philippe Chin, the chef at CuiZine in Aiken, asks Bebette Smith to sign a large spatula during the guest chef night at the restaurant. Mrs. Smith, a native of Belgium, suggested the menu. Through August, Thursdays at CuiZine will feature international cuisine suggested by customers

"They aren't french fries but Belgian-made fries," said Mrs. Smith, whose memories provided the menu for CuiZine's second Customers Cook International Family Series on June 19.

On Thursdays through the end of August, there will be international meals suggested by customers and prepared by chef Philippe Chin.

"The real thing for me is to have family dinners. It's becoming less and less that families are dining together. I want to bring it back," Mr. Chin said.

About 25 people gathered for the Belgian meal, which consisted of moules et frites (mussels steamed with white Belgian beer and served with fries), waterzooi de poulet (chicken stew) and a dessert featuring a recipe of Mrs. Smith's mother, Raymonde Vanden Brugge, who was also at the meal.

Mrs. Smith, who owns La Bonbonniere, also provided some of her handmade chocolates for dessert.

Because of the Independence Day holiday on Friday, there won't be a guest chef Thursday, but the series will continue July 10 with a German dinner. There will be a French dinner July 17, followed by a Swiss meal July 24.

The meals feature three courses and cost $20.

Patrons will rate each meal in four categories -- best overall meal, best appetizer, best entree and best dessert.

On Sept. 4, the winner in each category will be announced and given an award.

CuiZine is at 100 Laurens St., S.W.

For more information, call (803) 644-1234.

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.