121 replies to this topic

[MelissaH]

Well, if it's not taboo, how about something featuring one or another of Cantillon beer? Preferably in the proper glass?

MelissaH

[rockandroller]

I thought about beer, but this will be during a business lunch so no alcohol. :(

[whifflechef]

Going to brussles in september. Would like some restaurant recomendations please. First opportunity to eat at michelin rated rest. and I want to hit a least one Three star and one two star. Will be there thursday thru monday. Some small local treasures would be neat as well.

[Gifted Gourmet]

We have some discussions on Brussels and the dining there:

here

and here

and in this lengthy list of dining highlights of Brussels

[dellis453]

My parents are looking for somewhere nice for lunch that's not too noisy in Brussels ina couple ofweek's time- all these posts seem veryold! Any recent suggestions?

[Gifted Gourmet]

Any recent suggestions?

how about perusing these Fodor's links as a start?

[paulbrussel]

Going to brussles in september.  Would like some restaurant recomendations please.  First opportunity to eat at michelin rated rest. and I want to hit a least one Three star and one two star.  Will be there thursday thru monday.  Some small local treasures would be neat as well.

I am afraid the only ***-restaurant in Brussels is not worthwhile: Comme chez soi (see other thread for a report).
For starred restaurants I would recommend Sea Grill** and Bruneau** (formerly ***). Sea Grill and Bruneau are open on Monday. Bruneau is also open on Sundays and offers a good lunch for only 45 €; the wine list is also excellent.

[kerriar]

It would be hard to fault paulbrussel's top end recommendations. Sea Grill in particular cannot be long away from its third star.

Looking for "local treasures", the best advice would be to stay away from the tourist traps around the Grand Place and also to some extent the Sablon. There are exceptions and close to the Sablon you can trust either:

• Ciao at Rue J Steven 28 (tel 02-513.03.23) sober Italian style food cooked with some care, evenings only, best to book, not particularly cheap and certainly no pizzas.

• Le Clef des Champs nearby in rue Rollebeek (tel 02-511.11.93) main stream franco-belgian cooking, run for may years by an attentive couple for whom this is a way of life rather than a business (an observation which really applies to all the places mentioned), he at the stove and she front of house, food is fresh and authentic.

A bit further afield (i.e., 10 minutes by taxi – Brussels is compact) Chez Marie on rue Alphonse De Witte (02-644.30.31) has one star and offers a very good value fixed lunch. Carte is more expensive but wine list can contain some well priced finds. Although I personally like this place a lot, for some reason the style and the food does not appeal to everybody – one friend told me he will not go back there as it has "too many left-wing media intellectuals" for his taste which must be a new line in restaurant reviews. It’s a bit hard to find – if you go there ask the taxi to drop you by the "steamship" style Radio Building in Place Flagey and Chez Marie is just behind the church.

Also serious-end Italian for either lunch or dinner is La Crèche des Artistes in rue de La Crèche (tel 02-511.22.56) which is mentioned elsewhere under Brussels.

Of these, the best authentic local lunch spot for your parents would probably be Le Clef des Champs

Edited by kerriar, 08 September 2006 - 02:55 AM.

[paulbrussel]

La Clef des Champs is certainly a very good (more traditional food) restaurant to go to, especially for lunch. They offer a 3 course prix fixe menu (about 7 choices for starter and alike for the entree) at lunch time for 16 €, the same for dinner for 32 €.
This is only for Mondays to Fridays.

One of my favoorite restaurants in Brussels is the more modern cooking Resource, this year being the Most Promising Chef of the Brussels Region in the guide GaultMillau (http://www.restaurantresource.be/).

Edited by paulbrussel, 08 September 2006 - 06:22 AM.

[Nino Bergese]

Since it already is September I might be to late for your trip. But I will try to give my suggestions anyway. I think the people above me on this page covered the 2 and 3 star restaurants very well so I will stick to local treasures.

If you are in the touristy area and visiting places like Grand Place and the peeing boy then you have a nice restaurant within walking distance called Ogenblik. It is a very relaxed restaurant with friendly staff that serves good traditional Belgian food. The restaurant is very cosy as well.

To get you away from Grand Place you can always visit another square called Place Sablon. On this square all the restaurants are ok. I would go to Lola on the west side of the square. You should be able to get a very traditional Moules Frites in a modern environment there. From Place Sablon it is not far to the parliament of justice where you have a good view over the city. This area is off the tourist track, but well worth a visit and within walking distance from the more common tourist areas.

Let us know where you ended up and what you thought about the city and it's restaurants.

Most good restaurants in Bruxelles (even without stars) are busy so the best thing is to book a table in advance.

http://www.ogenblik.be/
http://www.sensum.be...urants/lola.php

[rlibkind]

Any opinions from our Brussels residents of the restaurants in Ste. Catherine?

[kerriar]

Place Ste Catherine, the old Brussels fish market area, has many fish restaurants which seem crowded all the time. Alas most of them are just ok but seem to have little problem attracting tour groups.

On the Quai aux Briques, both Jacques and Bij den Boer are better than the average. Neither seem to have changed anything in years so you can expect dishes like croquettes aux crevettes, tomato crevettes, bisque de homard, sole meuniere or the inevitable bouillabaisse de la Mer du Nord - and of course good frites.

For something slightly more raffiné, you could try Le Loup Galant (02-219.99.98) which serves a Marseille style bouillabaisse. If I had visitors who really wanted to eat in the Ste Catherine area, this would be my first choice but frankly Brussels has much more to offer.

[paulbrussel]

I can fully agree with kerriar that most of the restaurants in the Saint-Cathérine area are not outstanding.

Apart from what he mentions, you could also try:

LA MAREE
Tel. : 02.511.00.40
Fax : 02.511.86.19
Rue de Flandre 99
1000 BRUSSEL ( STAD )

(Closed Mondays and Tuesdays: fish restaurant)

or

VIVA M'BOMA
Tel. : 02.512.15.93
Vlaamsesteenweg 17
1000 BRUSSEL ( STAD )

(Only opened for dinner on Thursdays, Fidays and Saturdays: specialised in organs.)

[pups224]

We are leaving for Brussels at the end of the week and were planning to celebrate the husband's major birthday at De Bijgaarden, a place he remembers very fondly from years ago. Unfortunately, the restaurant has lost both its Michelin stars and the ownership and chef have changed.
Has anyone eaten there lately and can report back? Is it worth the visit?
If not, are there any suggestions for an alternate meal? Bruneau? Sea Grill? etc?

[kerriar]

Go to two star Sea Grill and you will be assured a memorable meal - don't be put off by the hotel location, in truth it never intrudes. If you decide to go there for your special event, take your time, explore the menu with the knowledgeable staff and peruse the wine list which comes like an offering at a high mass. Expect to pay accordingly but it's worth it - this is not one of the overpriced pretentious and transient places but a serious world class restaurant, it is both classical and ambitious at the same time.

[pups224]

See my post on this restaurant here http://forums.egulle...1

[danlepard]

Bread in Brussels. Are there any must-see bakeries, for interesting and favoursome simple breads? Or any great traditional, or young and innovative, bakers or pastry chefs I should look for?

Dan

[paulbrussel]

Bread? Probably give Le Pain Quotidien a visit.
Pastry: Marcolini and Wittamer at the Sablon - not to be missed!

[Fibilou]

Thanks for the Wittamer tip Paul, now on the top of the "to-eat" list

[danlepard]

Thanks Paul, will definitely check out Marcolini and Wittamer. I know LpQ well, they're very good.
Dan

[paulbrussel]

Thanks for the Wittamer tip Paul, now on the top of the "to-eat" list 

Personnally I prefer Marcolini, but the comparison between Wittamer and Marcolini might be interesting to try.

[Fibilou]

Personnally I prefer Marcolini, but the comparison between Wittamer and Marcolini might be interesting to try.

Any excuse !

[John Talbott]

I never know on what authority or by what standards these choices are made but for what it’s worth May’s Conde Nast Traveler lists 95 “hot tables” that includes Le Fourneau in Brussels.

[kerriar]

Le Fourneau is on the Place St Catherine - the former fish market, today a hive of mainly unexceptional restuarants which make a living generally from passing tourists and out-of-towners.

Le Fourneau seems a bit different

More details here.

- the menu changes daily but can include:

Le veau du Limousin, son jus stressé tout simplement,
Raviole de homard, coulis decrustacés à l’estragon,
Asperges de Perthuis à l'échalotte et parmesan,
L'Obus de crabe royal à la braise,

Prices are reasonable ( under €10 per plate) but this is achieved through small almost tapas style portions - the place seems very popular and word of mouth reports having it living up to its ambitions. One local blog report describes it as tapas meets sushi with the option of picking the size of your portion.

All of this however is being written without having been there yet - it's been on my list for a while now and I'll report back when I actually make it.

By way, Sensum.be looks like a very good site, aprticularly since resto.be has gone to the dogs.

[pups224]

Going to brussles in september.  Would like some restaurant recomendations please.  First opportunity to eat at michelin rated rest. and I want to hit a least one Three star and one two star.  Will be there thursday thru monday.  Some small local treasures would be neat as well.

View my post of Le Fourneau here http://forums.egulle...?showtopic=5029

[Fibilou]

Having just got back, I HIGHLY recommend Bruneau. It was superlative. We had the 49e menu for lunch including wine and coffee. I will review once I get the camera pictures downloaded.

Also had a very enjoyable ris de veau (sweetbreads) panned in speculoos biscuits at a small brasserie, Entree des Artistes on the Grand Sablon. Very tasty and an unusual combination of ingredients.

Edited by Fibilou, 01 May 2007 - 07:03 AM.

[paulbrussel]

Le Fourneau is on the Place St Catherine - the former fish market, today a hive of mainly unexceptional restuarants which make a living generally from passing tourists and out-of-towners.

Le Fourneau seems a bit different

More details here.

- the  menu changes daily but can include:

Le veau du Limousin, son jus stressé tout simplement,
Raviole de homard, coulis decrustacés à l’estragon,
Asperges de Perthuis à l'échalotte et parmesan,
L'Obus de crabe royal à la braise,

Prices are reasonable ( under €10 per plate) but this is achieved through small almost tapas style portions - the place seems very popular and word of mouth reports having it living up to its ambitions. One local blog report describes it as tapas meets sushi with the option of picking the size of your portion.

All of this however is being written without having been there yet - it's been on my list for a while now and I'll report back when I actually make it.

By way, Sensum.be looks like a very good site, aprticularly since resto.be has gone to the dogs.

In my view Le Fourneau is the best restaurant around the place Sainte-Cathérine. I have been there already about a 20 times. It is good because of the excellent quality of the products. The dishes are indeed small, and don't expect very complex dishes. Nevertheless, the quality of the products together with excellent cooks who do respect the products and know the best cuisson, makes it worthwhile visiting. Count on about 30 - 40 € for a meal, including about 3 dishes and wines (the latter being good and about 6 are offered by the glass).

About the menu: there is a standard one that changes every few months; there are some dishes changing every day, also depending on the season.

[John Talbott]

Friday’s IHT had an article on “Savoring a weekend in Brussels” by Dan Bilefsky that mentioned Le Roy d’Espagne’s Trappist beer, Marcolini’s chocolates and the new resto Museum Brasserie, chef’d by Peter Goossens of Hof van Cleve.

[Pistachio Disguisey]

Does anyone have any tips on where to find Westvleteren (6,8,12) in Brussels? Bars, stores, car trunks... any place will do.

thanks!

[kerriar]

Production of Westvleteren is tiny and distribution is restricted.

None of the following can guarantee anything more than an occasional supply but may have a decent alternative.

In Brussels try Bier Circus on Rue de l'Enseignement (tel02/218.00.34) or Delerium on Impasse de la Fidelité. For both, best go with a group and make your own athmosphere.

Food is not bad in Bier Circus - it's a Flemish establishment so unless you have the language talk English and definitely forget school French. Even without Westvleteren, the beer list is interesting but this is not a lively bar in any sense of the word. Closed Sundays.

400 Bieres Artisanales on Chaussee de Wavre is really a shop but has a counter at the back for drinking - probably best bet in Brussels for Westvleteren but again little athmosphere unless you bring your own. (Good democratic if eccentric restaurant about two doors away is Le Tournant).

You've probably already read the reasonably accurate entry in Wikipedia - best bet may be to ring ahead (they will speak English) and pick up your own case of 24.