What do you get when you bring a chef, a musician and a dancer together? A brilliant lunch concept called “Les Filles – Plaisirs Culinaires“! These three girls: Jeanna, Pascale and Line, dreamed of a communal kitchen where you can get a healthy lunch, follow a cooking course or get a group lunch delivered to your office door. Read the rest of this entry »
24
Aug
2010
Aug
2010
The Reference – Les Filles
16
Jul
2010
Jul
2010
The Reference – Cuberdons
You can recognize a country by the food they serve. Everybody knows Belgian chocolate, but what about the cuberdon candy. For many Belgians a beloved childhood taste, but unknown outside our frontiers. The recipe, that dates back to the 19th century, is a well kept secret only known by a handful of confisiers (aka candy makers). You can recognize a classic cuberdon as a violet collared sugar cone containing a thick raspberry syrup. Read the rest of this entry »
6
Jun
2010
Jun
2010
The Reference – Mil’s Place
There are places where you just walk by. Places known by insiders. Mil’s Place is one of those. The tiny Italo-French restaurant in Antwerp is not in the city centre, but it’s not really outside the city either. It’s hidden between typical pubs, galleries and shops in the St.-Jorispoort just across the neo-gothic St.-Joris church. Read the rest of this entry »
17
May
2010
May
2010
Cupcake craze
They’ve been there for ages but now they’re also all the rage in Belgium: cupcakes! Apparently the term “cupcake” was first mentioned in 1828 in Eliza Leslie’s Receipts cookbook. In the early 19th century, there were two different uses for the name “cup cake” or “cupcake”. In previous centuries, before muffin tins were widely available, the cakes were often baked in individual pottery cups or molds and took their name from the cups they were baked in. This is the use of the name that has persisted, and the name of “cupcake” is now given to any small cake that is about the size of a teacup.
So now one of the most popular treats in the world has motivated some sweet Belgian ladies to start baking. The I Love Belgium team has a real sweet tooth and gives you the best addresses. Read the rest of this entry »
3
May
2010
May
2010
The Reference – La Cantine de la Ville
The Marolles district in Brussels is one the most cosy neigbourhoods to walk around. The Marollen, originally a working class neighbourhood but getting more and popular with hipsters young and old, hides some great lunch places. Read the rest of this entry »
4
Apr
2010
Apr
2010
Box Bunny – Laurent Gerbaud
Brussels based chocolatier Laurent Gerbaud’s ‘Box Bunny’ is real chocolate art. Gerbaud is a rising star in the chocolate firmament and his holiday creations are every time a display of creative chocolate artisanry.
The campaign, shot by C’est Chic photographer Laetitia Bica, features Belgian singer An Pierlé (styling by C’est Chic’s Dominique Degrelle and hair & make-up by C’est Chic’s Miaou). The poppy and refreshing approach (from both Gerbaud and the campaign) takes Easter away from the boring ads and chocolate eggs we see coming back every year.
The dark chocolate bunny, a blend of Madagascar and Ecuador cacao beans – 75 %, can be yours for a democratic 14,50 euro. Campaign picture and info about Gerbaud after the jump. Happy Easter from the I Love Belgium crew! Read the rest of this entry »
30
Mar
2010
Mar
2010
The Reference – Burgerlicious
Yes we know that Belgium is adored for its fries, but do you realize that we also have some delicious burger places? And no we don’t mean MacDonalds or Quick, but places where your burgers are prepared with a smile and some love! Therefore, the I Love Belgium team made a selection of restaurants where you can get your mouthwatering experience.
17
Feb
2010
Feb
2010
The Reference: Le Chalet Robinson
One of the most whimsical places in Brussels is definitely ‘Le Chalet Robinson’. This restaurant-lounge in the middle of an island in the La Cambre woods (Ter Kameren Bos in Dutch). If you want to go there, you have to cross the lake with a boat. This short trip takes you immediately back into time. You can imagine couples from the beginning of the 20th century walking around the island. Men with top hats wooing women with lace parasols on a perfect Summer day. Having a light lunch or a tea with biscuits in the afternoon on the terrace of the chalet. Read the rest of this entry »
14
Feb
2010
Feb
2010
The Reference: Pixel Bar
The Pixel Bar is a brand new wine & tapas bar near the Brussels Sablon. The particular interior is done by Belgian designer Charles Kaisin. Take the ‘pixel’ in the bar’s name very literally. The interior designer took a picture of a landscape and blew it up in a way the whole picture was pixelated. Read the rest of this entry »
8
Jan
2010
Jan
2010
The Reference: Henri
When you’re a few days in Brussels, certainly check out restaurant Henri on the Vlaamse Steenweg just across the Martin Margiela shop in downtown Brussels. This laid back restaurant has managed to build itself a very popular reputation in only 6 years time.
Henri used to be a classical fish restaurant but three young foodies turned it into one of the trendiest lunch and dining places in Brussels. Don’t try to arrive without a reservation in the evening, you won’t get in. Even on a normal week day. On the menu you’ll still find the old house’s specialty : mussels. But the chef, who traveled all over the world, prepares them in so many ways, that it will be difficult to make your choice. I advise you to try the Thai version with coconut milk and coriander.
Other recommendations would be the homemade gooseliver, (foie gras) and the ‘Tiramisu de Bruxelles’ witch is a tiramisu with caramel biscuits (‘speculoos’) instead of the Italian long fingers. Don’t wear your skinny jeans, you’ll have to open a button…
© I love Belgium
