Weekend in Brussels

The highlight was the food. Sure we saw the Grand Place and the statue of the boy peeing, but we LOVED the restaurants. The city was easy to navigate and everyone was very friendly.

Quick Tips:

Pick a hotel near the center of town so that you can walk to the tourist sites but don't be afraid to rent car. We found it valuable to have a car since our favorite restaurant was not near our hotel (it was near public transportation which seems to go everywhere). Hit the MAC machine at the airport. I never found one in town.

Best Way To Get Around:

We walked a lot but also got a cheap pass for two on public transportation that gave us unlimited travel all weekend. We also had a car for our "exploration" of the countryside.

This hotel was recently acquired by Hilton and completely re-done in a very modern theme. We hate modern but this seemed comfortable. Located directly north of (within walking distance of the main shopping and tourist areas) the hotel was also a main commuter train station. That was good and bad. The good is the obvious convenience. The bad is the noise when 5 trains pull out at once at 5 a.m. Ask for a room facing east. I think that the Sheraton next door in Manhattan Center would be a better choice. It also has a heated 24 hr garage beneath the building. There is also a good Hilton on Blvd de Waterloo near the Palais de Justice. All three of these hotels are on what is essentially a loop road around the center of town.

A little out of the way on a side street near the Basilica of Koekelberg. As you approach, the rabbit and other meats in the front window seem to draw you into the converted row house. The traditional architure of the outside immediately disappears as you walk through the door to marble floors, highly polished woodwork and an ultra modern elevator. The dining room was well lit and warm (it was quite cold outside that night). The dining room was filled with well-dressed, sophisticated diners. The waiters were extremly professional and communicated in both French and English. We had a wonderful lobster bisque to start, followed by filet de boef for Harriett and salmon for me. The filet was extremly tender and was probably the best prepared piece of meat I ever tasted. My salmon was moist and tender with a wonderful complimentary sauce. My overall evaluation of this restaurant is that it is the best restaurant that I have eaten in anywhere in the world.

Located outside the city, it is located off Avenue de Tervurenlaan on the left just past the well lit pedestrian bridge over the road. The restaurant is perched on a hill and has large glass wall to take in the view. The mussels were fresh and the Coccille St. Jacques tasty, but the portion small. My Turbot was fresh and well-cooked. The place was filled with well dressed locals speaking French, Dutch, Flemish, and German.