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Category: Belgium (country) (Page 6 of 8)

The Country Belgium in Europe

Al Jannah: “A tasty yet affordable lunch”

1st April 2015 / / 0 Comments

A local restaurant situated in the ‘Marollen’ which offers some delicious Libanese food. We went there with a large group of fifteen people. The interior of the restaurant is nothing special. A counter where you can order all the dishes to take away and some simple wooden tables and chairs. The place could do with some better lightning, it was rather dark inside. Not really place to have a romantic dinner, but ideal for a quick cheap lunch. Dishes are savory and fresh. I ordered the Assiette Orientale, which was very nice. Next time though, I think I will go for my own selection of dishes so I can taste more of what Al Jannah has to offer.

It is possible to have lunch outside on plastic chairs, if you enjoy sitting on the sidewalk in this busy area of Brussels.

Al Jannah, Rue Blaes 59, Brussels 1000, Belgium
http://aljannah.be/en
+32 ()02 514 08 44

Visited March 2015. You can find my review about Al Jannah also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 5/5, service 3/5, food 4/5.

Fidalgo: “A disappointment”

15th March 2015 / / 0 Comments

My boyfriend and I expected more of this restaurant. We were looking forward to enjoying a nice romantic evening and some good food. Alas, the reservation we made, got booked on the wrong date by the restaurant. I received e-mails from the restaurant confirming the date I had written in my calendar, so it was there mistake. We drove all the way from Leuven to Tienen to learn there wasn’t room for us. We had to return home with empty stomachs and eat take away food instead of the meal we were looking forward to.

We rebooked our dinner (we had to, because we used a gift voucher, otherwise I wouldn’t have returned), expecting some kind of compensation for the trouble we went through. We didn’t even receive a free drink. Very disappointing and not what you would expect from a restaurant with such a reputation.

The food was also disappointing. Not that it was bad, but I found the dishes unimaginitive. The venison wasn’t that great and served with very basic vegetable and potatoes. Was expecting something more out of the norm, to be honest. The skrei with shells was fine, but again, a very basic dish. The desert from cherry and dried apple was a more complicated dish, but I found it to be a bit of a mismatch. All in all the food, of course, was enjoyable, but no dish could really wow me.

Fidalgo, Outgaardenstraat 23 Tienen, Tienen 3300, Belgium
http://www.fidalgo.be/site/
+32 475 61 21 55

Visited February 2015. You can find my review about Fidalgo also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 3/5, atmosphere 3/5, service 4/5, food 3/5.

M – Museum Leuven: “Beautiful architecture, interesting exhibitions”

25th February 2015 / / 0 Comments

This museum is rather new (it opened in september 2009). When you are visiting Leuven, M is a must see. The building is a stunning compilation of old and new. Combining old buildings with modern architecture. When it is sunny you can relax in the peaceful garden with the lovely tree.

The exhibitions change frequently, so make sure to return now and then.

M – Museum Leuven, Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 28, Leuven 3000, Belgium
http://www.mleuven.be/en
+32 16 27 29 29

Visited February 2015. You can find my review about M – Museum Leuven also on TripAdvisor.

Bistro Tribunal: “Outstanding beef restaurant”

25th February 2015 / / 0 Comments

If you like beed, Bistro Tribunal is definitely for you. The meat (delivered by the famous butcher Rondou) served here is really outstanding. You can choose your own piece of meat at the refrigerated counter. The cook will give you lots of information on the meat, so you can choose wisely.

The meat is served with fries and a simple salad. When you order the specialty (the Royal Tribunal) you can choose four different kinds of meat, which are served with four different kinds of sauces.

If meat is not your thing, don’t worry, they also serve lobster and a little bit of fish. The wine selection is nice and you can always ask to try one of the wines if you’re undecided on which one to choose.

Staff is really super friendly. Went here twice and twice I was greated like family.

Atmosphere is relaxed and cosy. A little bit of and old fashioned vibe. Very friendly, indeed.

Highly recommend this restaurant.

Bistro Tribunal, Vaartstraat 9, Leuven 3000, Belgium
http://www.bistrotribunal.be/
+32 16 89 66 55

Visited December 2014. You can find my review about Bistro Tribunal also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 5/5, atmosphere 5/5, service 5/5, food 5/5.

University Library & Bell Tower: “Stunning view on Leuven”

25th February 2015 / / 0 Comments

The university Library looks like an old historical building, but don’t be mistaken, this libary was built after WWI. The construction was funded mostly by American money. A visit to the tower gives you an overview of the tragic history of Leuven during both World Wars. The rather small exhibition shows some historal images of the destruction.

The highlight of your visit is the gorgeous view from the tower balcony. Absolutely stunning. Be mindful though, you are quite close to the tower bells and the sound they produce can be very intense.

University Library & Bell Tower, Monseigneur Ladeuzeplein 21, Leuven 3000, Belgium
http://www.visitflanders.com/en/things-to-do/attractions/top/university-libary-and-bell-tower.jsp
+32 16 32 40 10

Visited March 2014. You can find my review about University Library & Bell Tower also on TripAdvisor.

Central Station: “One of the most beautiful train stations in the world”

4th January 2015 / / 0 Comments

When you’re visiting Antwerp I highly recommend spending some time in this wonderful building. The architectural combination of new and old will blow you away. It is definitely one of the most beautiful train stations in the world, so don’t forget to take your camera!

Central Station, Koningin Astridplein 27, Antwerp 2018, Belgium
http://www.belgianrail.be/en/stations-and-train/search-a-station/6/antwerpen-centraal.aspx
+32 2 528 28 28

Visited December 2014. You can find my review about Central Station also on TripAdvisor.

AB Cafe & Resto: “Ideal for a quick lunch or a dinner before the show”

21st December 2014 / / 0 Comments

We come here often for a quick lunch with the colleagues. The café offers a good value lunch menu.

Last week I went to a show in the AB with some friends, so it was a no brainer to have dinner in the café before the show. The café serves Jacob’s Creek, my favorite Australian sparkling wine. A nice starter for the evening. I went for a classic: tomate crevette (tomato with shrimps). The tomato was peeled (as it should be, but not many restaurants do this), served with lots of shrimps in a light sauce with home made french fries. I drank an excellent glass of white wine with my meal. Very delicious indeed.

The café can get a little crowded and service is not that good, but the food is always nice.

AB Cafe & Resto, Boulevard Anspach 110, Brussels 1000, Belgium
https://www.abconcerts.be/nl/cafe-resto/2/
+32 2 548 24 55

Visited December 2014. You can find my review about AB Cafe & Resto also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, atmosphere 3/5, service 3/5.

Hoffy’s Restaurant and Catering: “First time trying kosher food”

20th December 2014 / / 0 Comments

Hoffy’s is located walking distance from Central Station in Antwerp right in the middle of the Jewish neighbourhood. First thing you see when you enter this dated looking restaurant is the huge counter with lots of different precooked dishes. If you’re looking for a quick take away place, Hoffy’s will offer you a broad variety of choices.

We visited the restaurant with friends. For me it was my first time eating kosher. We decided to have the discovery menu. We started with a variety of four different entrees which were all very nice. My personal favorite was the “stuffed fish” (not quite sure if I understand this correctly). The patron explained us the meaning of kosher food and also some typical customs from orthodox judaism. Lots of rules to follow!

Main course was really nice, even though the food was precooked and heated in an oven. Especially loved the more sweet taste of the dishes (the chicken with prunes and raisins was lovely). The stuffed eggplant was also very nice. Food looked delicious and tasted great.

We drank some Israelian red wine with our meal, which was just ok, nothing special.

The interior of the restaurant felt very dated and not that cosy. But if you want to try a different kind of food, this is your place to be. If I lived in this neighbourhood, I would definitely stop by to buy some precooked dishes.

Hoffy’s Restaurant and Catering, Lange Kievitstraat 52, Antwerp 2018, Belgium
http://hoffys.be/
+32 3 234 35 35

Visited December 2014. You can find my review about Hoffy’s Restaurant and Catering also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 4/5, atmosphere 3/5, service 4/5, food 4/5.

Enoteca Da Valentino: “Nice Italian restaurant”

14th December 2014 / / 0 Comments

We had dinner here on a friday night with friends. Loved the interior of the restaurant with beautiful wooden panels and decorated with lots of different bottles of wine. The atmosphere was really relaxed.

Food was typical Italian: I started with a carpaccio, to proceed with home made pasta with mushrooms and ended my meal with lemon sorbet and wodka. To finish it of I ordered a limoncello, which was nice but not served cold enough to my taste. The wine was very nice (as it should be in an Enoteca).

Service was very friendly. Our waiter proposed the wine after enquiring about our taste and we really liked it.

Not the best Italian food I’ve had in my life, but very enjoyable none the less. Would definitely go back here.

Enoteca Da Valentino, Rue du Champ de Mars 13, Brussels 1050, Belgium
http://www.enotecadavalentino.com/
+32 2 511 84 35

Visited December 2014. You can find my review about Enoteca Da Valentino also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 5/5, atmosphere 5/5, service 4/5, food 4/5.

Le Meyboom: “Old fashioned restaurant with great pasta”

13th December 2014 / / 0 Comments

Ideal place to have a quick lunch with colleagues. The pasta is really great, but be warned, the pasta is not Italian at all. Most pasta’s are served quite heavy and spicy sauces. Bolognaise and Savoyard are personal favorites. If you can’t choose, you can try the trio. The pasta is cheap and well worth the money. I always go for the normal portion, which I personally find quite large, but my male colleagues prefer the big portion.

Service is efficient, but only speak French. Atmosphere is typically Brussels, with nice wooden panels on the walls and cute and colorful tiles on the floor, which gives it a really authentic vibe. In summer you can sit outside. The location isn’t that great as it is somewhat outside of the touristic center of Brussels. Not a typical neighbourhood to go for a meal.

Be sure to make reservations when you want to go there for a lunch, because at noon the place is full of people who want a quick lunch.

Le Meyboom, Rue des Sables, Brussels, Belgium
679041844

Visited December 2014. You can find my review about Le Meyboom also on TripAdvisor. My scores: value 5/5, atmosphere 3/5, service 4/5, food 4/5.

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