Markt serves Belgian bistro food. The decor is wooden paneled walls with seating booths and small tables. It looks nicely aged and on a cool summer night, there is a nice breeze from the opened window doors. There is also a long bar area with ample seating. The space is large and airy, but on a crowded night, the noise level gets a bit high for normal conversation.

Start off with a cold glass of Leffe beer, dark with rich aroma. Of course, there is a full menu of beers, each with its own description and there are some interesting ones. The menu carries about 6 or 7 varieties of moules frites (mussels in a big enamel pot with fries and mayonaise on the side). It would make a full meal, so be careful about ordering too much.

I usually don't order any appetizers, although I've tried the salmon tartare and the pate. For entree, you must try one of the waterzooi. This is a cream stew with seafood and juilliene vegetables such as carrots and celery. My favourite is the signature markt waterzooi, which has lobster and monkfish. This is not a light dish but it is delicious and full of flavors. The price for this is based on market price, and it was $25 on a recent visit.

The steak frites is also excellent and very popular with friends who are of the meat-eating variety. The fish specials are interesting. On a recent night, there was a 3-fish grilled with a leek quiche on the side. I've also tried the grilled lobster but at $35 market price, I would pass and spend $10 less at Pearl Oyster Bar (see my entry.)

Even though the dishes are quite filling, I always find room for dessert. The chocolate mousse comes in its own chocolate cup and has a signature "Markt" plaque as a finishing touch. The ice cream with berry sauce is good on a hot summer day. There are some after-dinner liquers to choose from and of course, a cup of espresso.

I've been to Markt on numerous occasions in the past two years and have found the quality of food and service to be consistent. This is also a great place for groups of 8 or more as you can usually get a reservation up to a week in advance for a Friday night.

Credit cards are accepted. There is a little-known L-train that goes crosstown from the east side along 14th street to 8th Avenue.

I liked the stylish, dark wood paneled bistro and bar atmosphere that is alive and festive.

The best thing on the menu for me was the mussels steamed in beer and the frites (french fries), but there are traditional Belgian steaks, seafood, and stews. The warm chocolate torte is a superb dessert. Try going early (before 6:30) to avoid crowds.

As for the food, the appetizers are good (we always get the mussels and the lobster salad -- my favorite) but not spectacular. The raw oysters are also nice and you will have many varities to choose from. The large seafood samplers are quite eye-catching but a bit pricey. As for the entrees, I try to keep it simple by ordering the steak and frites (a sure thing every time). Every fish dish I have tried has been okay. Desserts are very nice -- particularly the chocolate soufle or anything else with chocolate sauce.

The service is sketchy at best. We had to track down the waiter to pay the bill the last time we were there. But for a very crowded restaurant, you expect the service to be a little slow. So come with friends and enjoy the drinks (when you can get 'em).