Other Belgian, Brussels

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!

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!!

Brussels Hotels

Other Belgian, Brussels

Visiting Brussels?

Visiting Brussels?

Brussels Hotels