Belgium next week!

bluedog · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 135 Location: Seattle, WA

I will be in Brussels for business next week, and have one day to myself. I have gotten some good advice on the sightseeing, but was wondering if anyone had any foodie stops for shopping or dining. I know this is a chocolate haven, but don't know where to start!

Thanks in advance!

PS - I just found out that I am traveling from Brussels to Maidenhead, UK - the home of Fat Duck. They are of couse booked, but I am on a waitlist. I live in hope!

maarten77b · Joined: 21 Nov 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Belgium

Oh sorry... just read your post... too late, i think?

clotilde · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:40 pm Post subject:

If it's not too late, you could try to visit chocolate master Pierre Marcolini, and also drink a pint of gueuze somewhere, preferably one made by Cantillon, one of the few who still brew it the old-fashioned way.

bluedog · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 135 Location: Seattle, WA

Thank you, Clotilde. I did not get this until my return, but had already been instructed to try kriek, which was just lovely. I of course ate moules frites, and discovered a lovely beef stew called carbonnade, made with beer and lots of onions. must find a recipe.

and the chocolate.....stopped at Pierre Marcolini, and was mesmerized. I really can't explain what my palate experienced, but everything that passed my lips was divine. I think I ate something scented with Jasimine that was a heavenly.

Most of the treats i took home were from a more modest (read: affordable) shop called Galler - also quite good, and they had this new product line: Kaori ( I think Japanese for perfume). It is a small box of flavored chocolate sticks that are to be dipped in various "scents". Quite an experience for the senses.

http://www.galler.com/index.php?setLang=en

eileen · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 67 Location: antwerp, belgium

hello bluedog,
too bad i didn't see your message until too late...maybe next time?
the chocolate and beer advice couldn't be better, but here in antwerp we have a lovely chocolate shop! and divine cafes and restaurants....
i just bought the galler chocolate sticks as a hostess gift and was curious how they tasted....
cheers,
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eileen

Donna · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 827 Location: Oakland, CA

...and Clotilde posted a recipe for Carbonnades Flamandes last year. It's not posted now, but I know it was published in the October/November 2006 Régal Magazine. And it may be coming in THE BOOK!

Alternatively, you could PM Clotilde and beg...
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L'appetit vient en mangeant. -Rabelais

bluedog · Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 135 Location: Seattle, WA

I found one in Cook's Illustrated. we tried it and it was amazing. Such rich, intense flavors, perfectly balanced. They always deconstruct recipes so well! I will be anxious to compare Clotilde's when the book arrives. (this is the longest pre-order i have ever done, and feel like a kid just before xmas - so much waiting!)

http://www.cooksillustrated.com/login.asp?did=1915&LoginForm=recipe&iseason=

Unfortunately, you have to be a member to access the recipes, but well worth it, I think.

stepheb · Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:54 pm Post subject:

I will be in Brussels on this Wednesday - so excited!

Actually, I am spending a couple of days in Luxembourg City (went to school there for 6 months in college), then on to Bastogne (Battle of the Bulge site), then to bruges and then brussels...

My DH and I can not wait!!!! We will definitely be checking out the chocolate and beer!

And I am personally excited to have mussels!!!! DH likes them, but doesn't love them, so we don't make them much here at home!
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Stepheb