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Published: July 29th 2009
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Bruxelles, brussel, brussels....different names for different times of my life. I've stopped to count, but each time this is a place of wonderful souvenirs. So this time brussels...in english....as I'm with my love Ma'ri.
We had few priorities....first friends...as always you may say....and yes it was really nice to share our Thursday dinner with Didier, and Friday evening with Gilles and Stephanie. No pictures of those...as these are not 'travel' related.
So first part of a nearly rainy-nearly sunny friday...we made our way to the Place Royale for the new Magritte Collection. The museum has opened for less than two months....and it is an amazing slice of belgian art history. From all our friends in Europe, it seems we are the first to go. The museum is new...but you who read this, and live not far away from Brussels ( Bruxelles-Brussel)...come on...it's time to go...
Than...very interesting history....Bruxelles used to have the cheapeast 3 stars michelin in the word...Comme chez soi...sadly, I never ate there...and today they lost one star with only two remaining...but they do close in July....and we are in July! Than, you've got 2 more restaurants holding 2 stars michelin in Bruxelles. The first being
the Sea Grill...where I brought my Mum for a very nice lunch few years ago. With Comme Chez Soi on yearly leave, we had Bruneau left. Next to the Koekelberg Basillic, the restaurant is the third one with 2 stars Michelin in Brussels. For your info, there must be around 20 three stars in France, and maybe 85 two stars in France....so a 2 stars Michelin is supposed to be something (last friday lunch at Chateau des Crayeres in Reims is a 2 stars!).
Bruneau has a 35 euros lunch menu, 49 euros if you include wines....for this, you have an amuse-bouche, starter, main course and desert. First the negative...service is way too stuffy...call it snob if you want....and food is clearly not original/sophisticated enough to deserved a 2 stars....even on a lunch menu. Second, the positive...for 49euros, including wines, this is more than a serious bargain....the food was very good, the preparation, may not have been original, but they were spot-on. Amazing deal!
So my verdict...don't look at the stars...this is an amazing deal for a great lunch meal...but I would for sure not try to go there for dinner...your bill may reach the sky...and the experience
may not be that impressive for the price you pay. Who say I cannot hunt for a bargain! In France, for that price, you've got...not much....
Next stop....well...should have been the renovated Atomium...it has been there since 1958....recently renovated...will have to wait for us next year...as we needed a nap! Simple...but good!
Next stop...belgian...world capital of chocolate...and yes...you will hear my Mum and I pray Marcolini....but this time, our task was to find a great chocolate for diabetics (for present, we are both well!) As I said to Ma'ri...for me, a belgian chocolate eater, finding chocolate without sugar is like finding a good champagne without alcool....guess what....we walked a lot...we asked MANY questions...and thanks to a very nice lady at Leonidas....who did teach us lot of things. We found what we were looking for...so yes...life can be good with chocolates, even if you have to be careful with your sugar!
One of our last stop of the day, the most beautiful Square in the world... Brussels Grand Place...and the few streets and galeries around. Place Vendome in Paris comes a close second for me. The sun was there...I've been here in the morning, in the afternoon...early evening...and
very early morning ( or very late evening). Standing on the Grand Place will always be a very magical moment. The Grand Place, but also the Galeries de la Reine, and all the little streets around are so charming. I did even add to this entry a pic of the Manneken Pis, but don't worry if you miss it.
Our last 'daylight' stop was around the Avenue Louise...some indulgence and some shopping....but this is private, and not travel related....
On saturday morning, after less than 3 hours sleep, we woke up, and I drove Ma'ri to the airport to catch her flight to Budapest...ready to see here in few days...
So till the next entry, this time it will only be with Tiffany and Leslie....With love, and the sun back, from 4 of us....enjoy.....kisses....
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