The Culinary Delights of Brussels

A July 2005 trip to Brussels by Melanngw

Frites please! Photo - Brussels, Belgium

Quote: Brussels is often overlooked when planning a visit to Europe but if gastronomy, cafes and culture tickles your fancy, Brussels is your type of town.

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The Culinary Delights of Brussels

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Overview

Quote:

Brussels is not just about moules and frites (mussels and fries), but has several Michelin starred restaurants here, including the three star Comme Chez Soi. Belgian food is its own unique culinary delight that borrows from its French and Dutch roots.Ethnically diverse Brussels has a large North African and Arabic population, therefore you will find delicious Morrocan and Lebanese restaurants. There is no shortage of kebab shops either. Nowadays, you can find just about any ethnic restaurant in Brussels.Another classic Belgian snack is the ever present and delicious waffle. There are two types of waffles, the Liege waffle which is dense and layered with a coating of icing, served warm. These are the waffles you will find around town filling the air with that tantalizing vanilla aroma. There is also the Brussels waffle which is what we Americans think of when we think of Belgian waffles, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Both waffles can be served with any number of toppings, but I like the Liege waffle best plain and with a cup of chocolad chaud, (hot chocolate).Beer, beer and more beer. That is what you will find here in Belgium. A basic breakdown of Belgian beer would be Blanche, (white beer such as Hooegarden), Blonde (a sort of ale, Leffe Blonde is a good choice), and Bruin or brown beer. Lambic beer are beers often flavoured with cherry (kriek), or Raspberry (Framboise), but if you visit a beer house, you can find anything from chocolate beer to honey beer and all fruits in between.Finally, the greatest product to come out of Belgium, CHOCOLATE! The Swiss may argue, but Belgium has the best chocolate in the world. My favourite chocolatier here in Brussels is Pierre Marcolini. Trained by the Whitmer family, Pierre decided to make it a go out on his own, opening a shop right across the square from the famed Whitmer shop in the Sablon. Planet Chocolat is also a fun chocolate shop here in Brussels with funky shapes and sizes found off Rue Lombard heading towards the Grand Place. There is also all the commercial brand chocolates that you are probably familiar with in the United States, Godiva, Neuhaus and Leonidas, they are alright, but nothing beats a local chocolatiers creation. Warning, once you have feasted on Belgian chocolate you will be spoiled forever!

Quick Tips:

For quick but tasty food, there are plenty of friteries that serve hot French fries with a dollop of mayonnaise, served in a paper cone. *Food for thought – fries, were invented in Belgium, so why do us Americans call them "French fries"?If lounging, and people-watching while having a light lunch and sipping an espresso is your thing, Brussels is the perfect place to do so. Where Avenue Louise and Rue Toison D’or meet there is a great Hagen Dazs café with outdoor seating right in the middle of it all to observe from. Also, around town there is a great chain of cafes here called Pain Quotidien which serve fresh pastries, great coffee and delicious sandwiches and bits. Pain Quotidien has crossed the Atlantic and I have heard are ever so popular in New York and Los Angeles.Dining alfresco is one of the most enjoyable parts of Brussels. It doesn't matter what time of year it is, as long as it is dry out you can bet the cafes and restaurants have tables set up outside. Take some time and dine alfresco or have one of Belgium's many wonderful beers and watch the world and time go by! The beautiful Grand Place is a great place to start as it is one of the most magnificent squares and you will never tire of looking at the beautiful architecture and all the tourists who come and go. For a bit more elegance, dine alfresco or have a drink in the Sablon where Brussel's finest meet. For a lively area, try Saint Boniface in the Congolese area of town where the young and hip gather. With so many choices, you must get out there and dine alfresco, Belgian style!

Best Way To Get Around:

Brussels is easy to walk around and by foot is the best way to see it. There is also a tram and underground Metro system that cost €1.50 a journey. The Metro is best for going further and out of the way distances, but I like the tram because it is above ground and you are able to see what is going on around the world outside. There is also a bus system to get around in. Read Less