Aw, no more barley at Moeder Lambic though (not at Fontinas, certainly?)...
This weekend just gone we enjoyed several of these, really good to see La Becasse heaving on Friday night (the last three or four visits we've, stupidly, gone mid-afternoon when it's been super quiet (and not good quiet, bad quiet), so was starting to have the fear about its future...) and had a very jolly chat with the bartron in Gist about cask Stouterik (don't why he thought I, a middle aged Englishman with a beard, would have an opinion [hem hem]). Our "new to us" find this visit was In't Spinnekopke, proper hearty food at incredibly good prices (we paid only very slightly more for dinner as we had for disappointing croques in the centre of town for lunch).
Going to have to find those speculoos natas next time I'm over though!
All I'll say is BOOK AHEAD! We got *very* lucky, they just managed to squeeze us in (about 7-8ish?) but they were turning people away not long after...
gosh not been to Spinnekopke in years (maybe 17 or 18 years?) but it was good value then - they had a great prix fixe menu / daily menu that was pretty cheap, and was probably the first place I had rabbit cooked in kriek and carbonnade. Good to know it's still there!
Places I look for foodie comfort in Brussels - Noordzee - always for the fish soup, kibbeling, and then usually razor clams or prawns or mackerel - with a glass of cold and tasty Portillo wine. Used to love the spaghetti in the back room of Monk, but now sadly defunct. Cheese "brick" from P'tit Normand for snacking (but didn't buy any this year as I feared it would be taken off me at English customs!). Restaurant de la Bourse is good value for their set meals (and generally good mussels). Have had a good meal in Bonsoir Clara before too (but more ££). And on this recent trip, had a really nice dinner in Brasserie des Alexiens too. Cheese nibbles in Mort Subite good, kip kap less so (no shade on Mort, I just don't like kip kap). Bia Mara for upmarket fish & chips (run by a couple of Irish guys too I believe).
hmm it's not opening as Monk though is it, its opening as Billies .... so am worried it won't be the same ambience ..... but I will definitely visit next time I am in town to be checking it out, and keeping fingers crossed it gives the same vibes!
“The smell outside of Gare du Midi after the Sunday market has been packed away.” Exactly! It smells like the best of humanity as a collective. This could be bottled and sold as a fragrance called Marché.
Sorry to hear you've been poorly Eoghan, hope you're on the mend now. Just back from a weekend in Brussels (at FOSDEM conference). I must explore Ravenstein some time - been past it so many times on the bus out to ULB, but never had a look (your mention of a thali place has piqued my interest though!). Would also like a proper look at the Museum of Musical Instruments nearby - have only visited to go to the cafe on the top floor so I could have a look at the view over a coffee. Didn't have the opportunity to visit Gist when open, to try the cask Stouterik - but noted for next time I'm over. Also interested in the speculoos pasteis de nata!!
Aw, no more barley at Moeder Lambic though (not at Fontinas, certainly?)...
This weekend just gone we enjoyed several of these, really good to see La Becasse heaving on Friday night (the last three or four visits we've, stupidly, gone mid-afternoon when it's been super quiet (and not good quiet, bad quiet), so was starting to have the fear about its future...) and had a very jolly chat with the bartron in Gist about cask Stouterik (don't why he thought I, a middle aged Englishman with a beard, would have an opinion [hem hem]). Our "new to us" find this visit was In't Spinnekopke, proper hearty food at incredibly good prices (we paid only very slightly more for dinner as we had for disappointing croques in the centre of town for lunch).
Going to have to find those speculoos natas next time I'm over though!
Also, sorry this isn't to the tune!!!
I've heard a lot about Spinnekopke, but not been able to make it yet - it's on the list though!
All I'll say is BOOK AHEAD! We got *very* lucky, they just managed to squeeze us in (about 7-8ish?) but they were turning people away not long after...
gosh not been to Spinnekopke in years (maybe 17 or 18 years?) but it was good value then - they had a great prix fixe menu / daily menu that was pretty cheap, and was probably the first place I had rabbit cooked in kriek and carbonnade. Good to know it's still there!
It's been under new - younger - ownership since the pandemic, who've blown new life into the place from what I've heard (and see from the beer list)
oh man, just looked at the menu .... yep that's going top of my list for next visit!
I am amazed I didn't bang on about it on Sunday night!
Places I look for foodie comfort in Brussels - Noordzee - always for the fish soup, kibbeling, and then usually razor clams or prawns or mackerel - with a glass of cold and tasty Portillo wine. Used to love the spaghetti in the back room of Monk, but now sadly defunct. Cheese "brick" from P'tit Normand for snacking (but didn't buy any this year as I feared it would be taken off me at English customs!). Restaurant de la Bourse is good value for their set meals (and generally good mussels). Have had a good meal in Bonsoir Clara before too (but more ££). And on this recent trip, had a really nice dinner in Brasserie des Alexiens too. Cheese nibbles in Mort Subite good, kip kap less so (no shade on Mort, I just don't like kip kap). Bia Mara for upmarket fish & chips (run by a couple of Irish guys too I believe).
Fear not, Monk is reopening under new management soon, and will be bringing back the spag bol!
hmm it's not opening as Monk though is it, its opening as Billies .... so am worried it won't be the same ambience ..... but I will definitely visit next time I am in town to be checking it out, and keeping fingers crossed it gives the same vibes!
“The smell outside of Gare du Midi after the Sunday market has been packed away.” Exactly! It smells like the best of humanity as a collective. This could be bottled and sold as a fragrance called Marché.
Sorry to hear you've been poorly Eoghan, hope you're on the mend now. Just back from a weekend in Brussels (at FOSDEM conference). I must explore Ravenstein some time - been past it so many times on the bus out to ULB, but never had a look (your mention of a thali place has piqued my interest though!). Would also like a proper look at the Museum of Musical Instruments nearby - have only visited to go to the cafe on the top floor so I could have a look at the view over a coffee. Didn't have the opportunity to visit Gist when open, to try the cask Stouterik - but noted for next time I'm over. Also interested in the speculoos pasteis de nata!!