Brussels Restaurant Tips by Suet

Restaurant Vincent: Fish, Mussels & Seafood Fish, Mussels & Seafood Review

After a hard week's work, the team celebrated with a meal in this restaurant.... I was struck by the tiling and the large globe lights... it certainly wasn't the cosiest restaurant, looking rather like a public convenience, but the food was wonderful.

The strange thing was that you had to enter the restaurant through the kitchens....

Favorite Dish: I just love the mussels... these were aux escargots which meant that there were no snails in them, but they were cooked in garlic butter just like snails... they added a touch of finely shredded cheese on the top which just finished the dish off nicely.

The chef's special was Steak au Poivre which was a very tender piece of beef with a stunning pepper sauce. The African Professor from Dar es Salaam was so impressed with this sauce I had to give him the recipe, then he wanted another for a pasta sauce.... I had visions of him taking over his wife's kitchen upon his return so show off his new skills...

The whole cost of the meal, including two rather stunning wines was 250 Euros or therabouts for 6 people..... it's definitely the drinks that bump up the prices in the restaurants.....

Address: 8-10 Rue des Dominicains 1000 Brussels

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: ummm we took a taxi, only 7 euros which I thought was pretty cheap compared to Edinburgh

Other Contact: info@restaurantvincent.com

Phone: 02 511 26 07 or 02 511 23 03

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Seafood

Website: http://www.restaurantvincent.com

La Brouette: Belgian Beers Estaminets & Belgian Beers Review

Just a bar, but a nice fire and a good selection of beers.... I hadn't had Kwak before and liked the unusual glass and wooden holder.... actually after a few beers, the impracticality of the wooden holder became apparent.... I then had an Orval... I don't remember much after that.....

Address: 2-3 Grande-Place Brussels

Comparison: about average

Directions: Grand Place

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Wine Bar/Wine Tasting

La Belg' Epoque: French Food Fish, Mussels & Seafood Review

I l iked the fire on a cold evening which is why we chose this place. It was empty as well which meant no smokers and I hoped a fast service. We were somewhat neglected by the waiter which was a shame as he was rather good looking... sigh....

Food was good, not overly priced, I had the mussels and a rather nice fish dish.....

Address: Petite Rue de Bouchers 28 1000 Bruxelles

Comparison: about average

Directions: down one of the back streets

Phone: 02 503 29 99

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 3

Theme: French

Little Asia: Vietnamese Food

YUMMM!!!! The food was fantastic.... I felt the decor was a little sparse however, minimalist to the extreme but it was warm enough *temp wise* and very very very good food.

We had Nems to start 6.00 euros each, then chicken in cashews nuts and a beef dish at 12.00 euros each *including rice* so the food came to a total of 36.00 for two. Add the drinks (oopsy) and you get a total of 54.50.... service not included.

Favorite Dish: I must admit the nems *small fried parcels of veggies served with a sauce* are very good indeed. A nice starter. I have had them all over the world and they never fail to be tasty.

Address: 8 Rue St Catherine 1000 Bruxelles

Comparison: about average

Directions: dunno you'll have to look at the map!!!

Phone: 02 502 88 36

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

La Moule Provencale: Belgian Food

I can't really fault these restaurants in Brussels, they are all competing so hard with so many that they make a special effort to get and keep your custom.

This dish of Moules and Frites cost me 17.50 but the half bottle of Sancerre cost 25 Euros....

Very nice light meal... good service

Address: Rue des Bouchers 23 1000 Bruxelles

Comparison: about average

Phone: 02 412 70 22

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: French

La Chaloupe D'or: Belgian Beer

Nice and cosy place for a good selection of beers, friendly efficient waiters, nice cosy gas log fire, good decor.....

I have copied the Drinks list with prices for your delectation and delight......

Address: 24-24 Grande-Place 1000 Bruxelles

Comparison: about average

Directions: Grande-Place

Phone: 02 511 41 61

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: French