THE MENU at one of Redbridge's most popular eateries is set to be transformed after it had a new £67,000 kitchen installed.

Customers of Belgique in Wanstead were left fearing for the future of the cafe when it closed for two-and-a-half days earlier this month.

But owner Igor Bekaert, 41, said the outlet in Cambridge Park Road - which serves Belgian cakes, chocolates, bread and breakfasts to up to 7,000 customers a week - was simply undergoing a major upgrade which would allow it to provide a brand new brasserie-style menu.

The father-of-two, who runs the chain of nine Belgique eateries with his wife Ann, must wait to receive a new licence from Redbridge Council before launching the brasserie - which would offer speciality Belgian food and drink until 10pm during the week.

He said: "Obviously we have to get the licence first, but the council will visit in June to check out the parking situation here. I'm hopeful they'll grant it.

"We would sell Belgian dishes, like Moules Frites, Belgian black pudding with potatoes and apple sauce and steaks - as well as food from elsewhere.

"We will be selling authentic Belgian chips, made from a potato that have to be imported because you can only get them there.

"I also hope to offer a wide range of Belgian speciality beers and wine.

"The Wanstead branch would still sell cakes, bread and chocolates like now, but the brasserie menu would be added to this.

"The brasserie menu would offer home cooked-style food at very reasonable prices, like £12.95 for a fillet steak."

Mr Bekaert said the Wanstead outlet - which opened in February 2009 and is the chain's central bakery and headquarters - is set to become the first Belgique brasserie, with the South Woodford branch also earmarked for an upgrade.

He said: "The Wanstead tea room has been really successful, and the other branches have been popular too.

"We have 18 people employed in Wanstead and nearly 100 in total across the chain.

"A new store in Crouch End is being fitted out at the moment."

Beligique, which also has cafes in Woodford, Epping and Chingford, is set to feature on a Belgian TV show about Belgian 'food ambassadors' abroad.

For more information visit: belgique.co.uk