Brussels

Trip made in summer 2010 (4 days)

Why?

I suppose Brussels probably isn’t a popular choice for tourists visiting in Europe but if you do have time, it’s worth to squeeze in just a couple of days to sample the great food offered in this city. We went there because it’s easy to get to via Eurostar from London and we can make a side trip to the beautiful medieval city, Brugge.

Eurostar

We bought a package with Expedia.com and saved a lot instead of getting train tickets and hotel accommodation separately. The train departs from St Pancras in London. The waiting area for Eurostar was easy to find. The journey was pleasant and fast. My first impression of Brussels however wasn’t that great. I thought the train station would look much more impressive but it wasn’t. 

Travel Around

We bought a 10-ride ticket from the metro station, it’s valid both on metro and buses. Honestly if you didn’t use the ticket, nobody will notice as there isn’t a gate. Beware of picked pockets in a packed carriage. My husband’s iPhone was stolen the very first second we got off the train. 

Accommodation

We stayed in Hotel Novotel Business Center Tour Noire on 32 Rue de la Vierge Noire.

The hotel looked decent, much better than I expected. Our room was spacious and clean. The view from our room was nice. There is a few Mac offer free internet access in the hotel lobby. Buffet breakfast was adequate but not of the same standards that we are used to in hotels in Asia. It had a very nice view and best of all in a very good location, it’s of walking distance to the metro and bus and the grand square, Grand Place (or Grote Market). So I think it’s good value for money.

[ View from our room ]

[ View at night ]

Day 1 : Flagey – Bailli – Place du Chatelain

• Lunch at Café Belga in Flagey - Sits on the ground floor of Flagey Building, the funky art deco building formerly known as Maison de la Radio and now hosting a cultural center. The café/bar is spacious and stylish with outdoor dining area. It holds regular music events and it’s a hip place to hang out in the evening as people gather around the plaza in front of the building. It was a bit quiet in the afternoon when we were there. We had a simple lunch – salad, lentil soup and baguette but it was all very delicious.

  

  [ Flagey ]

• Rue du Bailli & Place du Chatelain – I came to these areas suggested by a guidebook as there were meant to be full of cool shops. However, apart from the Wednesday food market in Place du Chatelain, forget about finding a good shop here. Try La Quincaillerie for a drink or dinner though. The restaurant opened its door in 1903 and the decoration is really different and funky. However bewares that it hasn’t got great reviews and for this reason I did give it a miss. I would have loved to come for a pre-dinner drink but the location is a bit far out from public transport.
  
• Dinner was at a family-run restaurant Chez Patrick on 6 Rue des Chapeliers in Grand Place – Just a few minutes’ walk from our hotel. The food we had was excellent, didn’t expect that in such a touristy area. I had moules frites (mussels and fries) in white wine sauce and my husband really enjoyed the knuckled-ham cooked with fennels. Somebody on-line also recommended ‘stoemp’, the Belgian bangers and mash!

  

  [ Chez Patrick ]

  

  [ Moules & Frites ]

  
  

  
  

• Night cap at A La Mort Subite on 7 Rue Montagne-aux-Herbes-Potagères – After dinner, we visited this oldie worldie but still beautifully decorated beer hall. We were transported back to 1928 with their delicious Gueuze beers. Service here was great and since it’s a big place, it’s the kind of place you can have a beer and a quiet chat.

  

  [ Grand Palace at night ]