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Brussels briefing  Bureaucracy
and Brussels are closely associated in the public mind — but in
actual fact the paperwork required to get to the city is minimal. Look
out your passport and buy a ticket on the Eurostar and you can be in the
Belgian capital in time for a five-star lunch.
Brussels orientation
Most first-time visitors spend their time around the Grand Place well
in running for the title Most Beautiful Square in Europe. The nearby neighbourhood
of Ste Catherine features chic shops, buzzy bars and some of the finest
restaurants in the whole of EUdom.
At lunchtime join the locals at the pavement bar of Mer du Nord (1 Rue
Ste-Catherine; 00 32 2 513 11 92), which is in fact a fishmongers. As
well as monging fish, the bar serves oysters, a delicious soup of escargots
de mer (whelks), swordfish a la plancha, and chilled Muscadet wine.
For more snacking and shopping head for the Marolles, known for its sprawling
flea market, boutiques and bistros.
For dinner try Cheri Cheri (89 rue haute; 00 32 2 512 0089), just opened
by the chef of the renowned gourmet restaurant L’Idiot du Village.
The gourmet choice is the three-Michelin-star Comme Chez Soi (23 Place
Rouppe; 00 32 2 512 2921).
At lunchtime there is a great-value four-course tasting menu at £68.
Le Fourneau (8 Place Sainte-Catherine; 00 32 2 513
1002) serves dishes such as king crab cannelloni and asparagus grilled
with orange butter cost, from ?50 per person for three course dinner Chocoholic
choice
It is impossible to leave Brussels without some chocolate, so head for
the best: Pierre Marcolini (1 rue des Minimes, 00 32 2 514 1206).
A terrific speciality is ‘the molecule of chocolate’ (it looks
like a chemistry set model of a molecule), which at ?25 makes a great
souvenir to take home.
Brussels B & B
Best bet is the Hotel Orts (rue Auguste Orts; 00 32 2 517 0717; double
from ?150), right in the heart of the chic Ste Catherine’s quarter,
which has a dozen rooms and its own brasserie.
Hotel Alma (42-44 rue des Eperonniers, 00 32 2 502 2828; double from ?94)
is just off the Grand Place, in a street lined with bars, boutiques and
bistros.
Comfortable, and not a wallet breaker.
For the financially carefree, Hotel Royal Windsor (5 Rue Duquesnoy,
00 32 2 505 5555) has recently created its latest set of ‘Fashion
Rooms’, each one designed by a famous Belgian fashion designer.
Essentials Brussels and backEurostar (08705 186 186) takes just two hours
20 minutes from London and return tickets from £59 return.
Eurolines coaches (08705 143 219) is offering a special online fare of
£15 return. The journey takes 7.5 hours.
For tourism information call 00 32 2 513 8940. |
