Other Belgian, Brussels

"Probably the oldest inn of Brussels, as indicates it its pinion dated 1587," L'Estrille du vieux Bruxelles " is in keeping with the heart of a street deeply related to the past of the legendary Sablon and its vestiges of the first medieval urban surrounding wall."

* Yes, that's what we may read in the page of this restaurant where we didn't enter, but whose facade attracted all of us instantaneously. I had to read about it, and the temptation is set: next time, dinner here and coffee at the "Entrée des Artistes" nearby, for a first class night.

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The original building dates to the 12th century. After several fires and bombardments it was restored in 1697 to match Leroy d'Espagne next door. It is very atmospheric and bustling.
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We ate here again in Fall 2010. We both had flammekuchen that were quite good. Note the "Belgian endive" :)

Favorite Dish: I had the tomatoes stuffed with tiny prawns. There were originally 2 on my plate, but I was hungry I forgot to take a picture until after I had wiped out #1. Service was a bit more brusque than Leroyd'Espagne, but the Affligem Brun beer rocked. Both these restaurants serve good basic food and beer. I prefer Leroy d'Espagne by a slight margin, but either are good, reasonably priced [for a tourist location] options in the area.

We ate in this restaurant just south of the Grand Place on our first evening in Brussels. It seemed a mid-range place for the neighbourhood, neither really fancy nor very plain and simple. Although there was a set menu as appears almost ubiquitous in Brussels we didn’t choose from it but treated ourselves to dishes from the a la carte selection.

I started with ”salade au rocquefort” which was fresh and generous, though nothing special, and for my main course chose turbot cooked with ginger and served with red peppers and mashed potato, which I really enjoyed. Chris had the cheese croquettes to start with, and was happy with these and with his steak in mustard sauce (though it was cooked a little rarer than he had specified), and particularly liked his gratin dauphinois. With a beer each this meal cost us 71 EUR.

This was my first meal in Brussels itself as my buddy took me here for good hearty Flemish chow, being Flemish himself.

The restaurant is tucked away, at a corner, among a row of shophouses. I could have walked past it without really casting a serious look at it. The first floor is a bar, dimly litted but was already packed full with folks guzzling down Belgian beer.

We got a table on the second floor, already packed, in one corner with a window so the location was decidingly brighter. Sturdy wooden tables and chair. Deep coloured (but not gaudy) painted walls with theatre-themed murals. Almost like eating in a village tavern. Very atmospheric. All around us, folks were enjoying their dinner and the place was exploding with excited chatter and the clatter of cutleries against porcelain.

The signature of the place...well, for folks who understand French, you would have known that it is all about DOLLS! (Guignol meaning doll in French) The walls were dancing away with a vast collection of hand-operated wooden dolls, used in theatre plays, all decked out in the finest of medieval western clothes. They are dancing from the ceiling, off the wall and literally leaping out around bends. (They kinda reminded me of the wayang puppets of Indonesia, albeit in a western setting) You can't walk to any part of the restaurant (including the washroom) without at least a pair of eyes watching keenly over you. Both fascinating and creepy at the same time!

Favorite Dish: The food was hearty and my buddy was eager to show me the best of Flemish cooking. Though tired after a long day flying in from Iceland, I was spoilt for choice. In the end, I went for Waterzooi Ghent Style (11.50Euros), kinda like chicken "stewed-to-death" with potatoes, carrots and onions. I suppose you can't get any more Flemish than this dish!

It was delicious. Flavourful. The aroma danced on my tongue with repeated encores. Creamy yet not overpowering so; the vegetables perfectly complementing the chicken. After a long day, this was possibly just what I wanted. The soup and vegetables were gone in a flash. My only lame complain: The chicken was chicken breast meat, and it was a huge chunk. In Asia, we usually use this part of the chicken to make soup but we generally do not serve it as the meat is seen to be too chunky and dry. (We always prefer our dark meat - the thighs) It was just a little too heavy going to be chewing through something so dry and a little unpalatable...but I did manage to chomp down a quarter or so before I finally raised the white flag.

Also went from Creme Brulee (4.50Euros). I was dying for good Creme Brulee. I found the custard portion a little too hard for my liking so it was a little disappointing.

It was also the first night I was introduced to Belgian Frites. Crispy on the outside, tender soft on the inside. Delicious. But, gosh, the size of the servings!!

It was time to eat, but too late for breakfast itself and too early for a real lunch, so my dear friend and host pointed us in the direction of THE CLUB HOUSE. Out of the way, I'd say, you have to turn down a courtyard off of the street, but once you're inside, you know you made the right choice. Very clean lines and modern decor, it's not like what we'd find here in the States...three cheers for that, I say! Meats, cheeses, salads, fruits, pastries, juices, crepes, I know I'm missing something, but the buffet selections for brunch were spectacular. Check out the website for more colorful details...

I went there with a group of 10+ persons, though it was perfect, it was a little bit like being an olifant in a porcelain store...
The restaurant is tiny with an intimate atmosphere, this would be the perfect place for lovers...

Favorite Dish: The food is awesome, this is typically what we could call french cuisine. Not the new version where you barely have anything in your plate but the cuisine made with some research and good products...

About money, this is not really a cheap place but for the quality of food I wouldn't call that expensive!

We went there to show to a couple of americans what could be the french cuisine and that was the perfect place for that, they were impressed...

I am convinced of the fact that one finds the best beers in Belgium. Therefore, a stay in Brussels cannot be complete without a visit (or three), to one of the many typical cafes and pubs that you will find there.
The Brewers’ Guild runs a museum in the basement of their building on Grand Place 10. You will particularly like the tour here not only because of a free beer at the end, but it is the only place in the town, where the toilet facilities are free.

But do visit the cosy little streets rather, instead of Grand Place and its tourist tempter neighbourhood, to collect real culinary experiences.
"La Mort Subite" in the grand Parisian style, is probably the best place to make a decision, where to go, what to eat and what to drink during your culinary trip. Some Belgian blond beer always bring the best ideas.

In the restaurant "Le-Cirio" may be to start with a mustard cattle shank, to which one abundant portion "stoempo" is due - puree from potato and vegetables.

The "Aux-Armes-de-Bruxelles" is in the near, that attracts the international audience with traditional Belgian cuisine, such as "Waterzooi" - fish in a creamy soup with vegetables, moreover from here already only a jump the pub named "L'Imaige de Notre Dame", where abbey beers are retailed on century-old wooden tables, among them the famous "Affliegem" tapped from barrel. Be careful when drinking, these beers tend to be very strong. My other favourite is a dark beer "Le Fruit Defendu" (Forbidden Fruit). The beer and its goblet feature an Adam and Eve theme. In this case, however, Adam is tempting Eve with a beer instead of an apple.

Easy to find the "Goupil le Fol", which is an old-fashioned, timeless place. A row of parlours, semi-darkness, lovers whispering beautiful words, chattering grandmas drinking fruit wines and students advertising world-saving doctrines.

Favorite Dish: .
La Mort Subite
Rue Montagne aux Herbes Potagères 7
+32 2 513 13 18
Le-Cirio
Beursstraat 18
+32 2 512 13 95
Aux-Armes-de-Bruxelles
Rue des Bouchers,13
+32 2 511 55 50 -
L'Imaige de Notre Dame
Rue Marché aux Herbes, 8
+32 (0)2 219 42 49
Goupil le Fol
Violetstraat 22
+32 2 511 13 96

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Ruturning to our hotel after a tiring day walkiing the city we wanted something quick to eat. As we passed The Bourse we noticed Fritland and the food smelt good. Quickly checked it out and ordered the standard meal, large bread roll with meat fritter, salad, large serve of chips and a cool drink.

We then sat at the open air tables and enjoyed our meal. It is a popular eatery with tourists and locals.

Open from 11am to 1am.