Eat and Drink

(© Ivan Put)

It’s high time for ice cream because we’ve been waiting more than long enough. Sint-Katelijnestraat/rue Sainte-Catherine – a veritable hotspot for culinary experiences and discoveries – has recently welcomed a branch of Capoue, the Belgian artisanal ice cream makers. 

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

“The best pastrami in Brussels”, is the claim to fame of Lou Lou, a pleasant snack bar around the corner from the busy Stefaniaplein/place Stéphanie. Superlatives always rouse our curiosity, so we decided to explore.

(© Ivan Put)

You will find Café de la Rue on a small road just off Gentsesteenweg/chaussée de Gand in lower Molenbeek. Until five years ago, Café de La Rue was part of the neighbourhood association La Rue. Nowadays, it has perhaps become even more difficult to think positive in the area, but Café de la Rue persists in doing so nonetheless.

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

Pho is one of our ten favourite dishes on the planet. Never heard of it? A wee summary for those unfamiliar with international cuisine: pho is the national dish of Vietnam, where it is an institution and is eaten at pretty much every hour of the day.

(© Ivan Put)

The quantities that are chowed and guzzled down on and around the Grote Markt/Grand-Place are truly incredible. Brussels’s way to the heart of many tourists is clearly through their stomachs. The Grasmarkt/rue du Marché aux Herbes is also bursting with gingerbread houses and chocolate fountains. The Greeks, who until recently were concentrated mainly on the Kaasmarkt/rue du Marché aux Fromages, have now occupied a building on the Grasmarkt/rue du Marché aux Herbes. They have opened the first branch of Chillbox, a chain specialised in frozen yoghurt.

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

A new restaurant, Déjeuner sur l’Herbe, opened a few months ago where Le Péché Mignon used to be. The newcomer’s name is as appealing as that of its predecessor and is combined with a fresh-looking logo that sets you dreaming of fresh, healthy dishes sure to leave everyone’s cheeks glowing.

(© Ivan Put)

Café Le Trappiste, as the menu indicates, has existed since 1899. That is perfectly possible because the Naamsepoort/Porte de Namur used to be an important base of operations on the way to Cologne, and a crossroads full of cafés. But in its early years, this café would certainly not have been called Le Trappiste.

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

Quand il s’agit de trouver une bonne adresse du côté du Nord de Bruxelles, ce sont souvent les mêmes adresses qui reviennent : La Paix, Friture René et, dans un genre plus classique, l’Auberge de l’Isard. En revanche, qui veut trouver un restaurant sur Ganshoren doit se lever tôt : les possibilités sont maigres. Depuis peu, la commune dispose d’une nouvelle flèche à son arc gastronomique.

(© Ivan Put)

To keep things exciting and fun, we headed to another beer paradise this week. Le Bier Circus (“The Beer Circus”) is so named because it is located a stone’s throw from the Koninklijk Circus/Cirque Royal. The interior features a few clowns, but focuses mainly on beer crates, beer caps, and beer barrels.

(© Saskia Vanderstichele)

When you see the names behind the brand new AUB.SVP, you know this is a concept that can hardly fail.