Our next destination was Brussels. We had decided that as Belgium was the home or Frites, we wanted to try the best and Lonely Planet told us this place made perfect chips. Although it was a little expensive (about 14 euros for my main) I couldn't resist trying rabbit cooked in Belgium cherry beer with mushrooms and frites on the side (doesn't just the description sound heavenly!?) It smelled and tasted just as great as it looked and the frites were just as fantastic as promised.
Dame Blanche was written enticingly on the menu; Yannick tried the double chocolate one while I stuck to the traditional vanilla Icecream and chocolate sauce. Amazing! We also discovered the cream is much nicer in Europe, sweet without being disgusting, Yannick realised he actually liked it just after he'd offered his to me and I'd eaten it. Oops.
One of the coolest things about Brussels were the cafés and bars, of which there were many. In particular the historic buildings and the establishments with character. Named 'Au Bon Vieux Temps' it was certainly a good time. Dating from 1695 and tucked down the tiniest alley so you'd never find it if you didn't already know it was there, this place was also added to my mental 'best bars' list. One of my favourite things was the stained glass window dominating the back side of the room.
After our relaxing respite, we headed for the central square to take in the gilded and ornate architecture. There was even a goose sculpture on the doorway of one of the buildings symbolising it's once held status as the Butchery guild.
The Belgiuns seemed to have an fixation with peeing, with a grand total of three statues in the act; a little boy, a little girl, and a dog. According to the convoluted story from a tour guide - whom I eavesdropped on in vague dismay while trying to snap a photo-a little boy was turned to stone by a local witch for peeing on her doorstep and this shows that good things come in small packages. Or something. The tour guide had a slightly maniac air about him.
This mall (and weren't malls so much prettier back then!?) was one of the reasons Brussles is often hailed as the best place to get chocolate from in a Belgium, including the original shop where praline was invented (yes we tried it, and yes of course it was nice! Personally I liked the white chocoalte coffee flavour better though).
As we wandered down this street of delights, we spotted something magical. A Meert. This store that until then we had thought only graced the town of Lille now stood before my waking eyes. Gaufres were quickly bought and consumed. They even had a Gaufres recipe!!
Wandering down the street, we noticed that some of the chocolate shops were giving out tasters, and Yannick soon hatched a devious idea. His cunning plan was to go into all the shops offering tasters and loiter innocently until we were offered some. It worked quite well too!
In Brussels the smell of waffles followed you everywhere like a torturous trail for your nose. We decided it was high time we tried some real Belgiun waffles, and settled on a place with good reputation. While I still stand by my belief that pancakes are nicer, it was a rather lovely waffle, with soft melt-in-the-mouth pastry lightly dusted in icing sugar, and in my case,covered in fresh strawberries.
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