Tag: brussels

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Steak and Chips

I have visited Belgium quite a few times over the years, we went to Ostend a lot when I was a child.  When I did some college trips to Amsterdam in the 1990s we obviously travelled by coach through Belgium, we also stopped at Bruges, which I am planning to visit again in the future.  Last year on the way back from Germany we stopped for a flying visit to Ghent. We had thought about visiting Brussels, but time was against us.

A few weeks back I was in Brussels for a couple of in-person meetings. After the last of our meetings, myself and some colleagues headed out for a few beers and something to eat.

We went to a restaurant on Rue du Taciturne. It was nice to sit outside and enjoy the air and the views from the street. 

I was in Belgium, so didn’t really want to do pasta, so I went with the steak and fries.

steak and chips

The plate did look nice, well I thought there was probably too much shaved parmesan on my steak. I think I would have preferred fries over chips. The steak was cooked rare, but I felt it lacked flavour. Needed more seasoning, the parmesan wasn’t really working in this case. The actual dining experience was great, the food itself I think could have been better. 

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Belgian Fish and Chips

I have visited Belgium quite a few times over the years, we went to Ostend a lot when I was a child.  When I did some college trips to Amsterdam in the 1990s we obviously travelled by coach through Belgium, we also stopped at Bruges, which I am planning to visit again in the future.  Last year on the way back from Germany we stopped for a flying visit to Ghent. We had thought about visiting Brussels, but time was against us.

This week I was in Brussels for a couple of in-person meetings. I had caught the Eurostar from St Pancras, having travelled up to London from Weston to Paddington. I find it quite amazing that the train from London to Brussels takes just two hours. Having made my way across Brussels using the metro I checked into my hotel, the Marriott Courtyard EU.

My plan was to walk into the centre of Brussels, find a bistro and have a nice meal. The reality was that it was pouring with rain and I didn’t really want to get soaked for the sake of a meal. So, that was why I ended up in the hotel restaurant. There isn’t a huge choice on the menu, but I think that’s a good thing, for me it meant that the food was freshly prepared and cooked to order.

I did consider the steak, but at €39 was a little on the expensive side. I did consider the octopus dish, but wasn’t really in the mood for it. So, I went with the fish and chips. I know I can hear you saying, but you were in Brussels and you went with that English staple of fish and chips. Well, the menu did say Belgian fries, so maybe something different.

I was a little surprised, but pleased to be presented with a complimentary starter of a potato rosti topped with salmon.

I also was provided with a bread roll and butter. The plate arrived and I thought it was very cleverly presented.

An open paper parcel was filled with chips, three pieces of battered fish, peas, and a scattering of deep fried herbs. On the side was a portion of tartare sauce.

The chips was nice, crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy inside. The batter on the fish was crisp, and the fish was cooked just right. I really enjoyed the dish and it was all very tasty. It would have been probably more interesting to go with the octopus or one of the other dishes, but in the end I was pleased with my choice and it was all rather tasty.