Michelin meals under EUR 35

Let’s be honest, we don’t live in Brussels because of the nice weather, the charm of the city, the customer-centered attitude, or the local warmth… but the food here, that’s a different story… where else could one eat at amazing, Michelin-starred restaurants for less than 35 euros??

The catch: you have to go for lunch during the week (public holidays excluded, of course) and book in advance, and the wine is extra of course, and at Michelin-establishment prices…

So, where to go?

Bistrot du Mail - lunch menus (Tuesday to Friday) for 25 or 29 euros in a modern, trendy setting, with friendly service. Read a full review in this earlier post. Unfortunately, it seems this restaurant is temporarily closed… no answer on the phone either, so you might want to put this one on hold… Location: close to Chatelain, on rue du Mail 81. Call +32 487 59 37 49 for reservations.

Chalet de la Foret - lunch menus for EUR 34 (first, second course and dessert). This is probably the most formal of the four restaurants on this list. It has an older, more exclusive feel to it (maybe also because it is the one place that is not easily accessible by public transportation, given that it is in the middle of the Bois de la Cambre). The portions are plentiful (maybe a bit too much sometimes) and the service is impeccable. The quality and interest-rating of the food at the Chalet, however, is lower than at the Bistrot du Mail, which offers a more original and sensory experience. Location: Uccle, Dreve de Lorraine 43, in the Bois de la Cambre. Call +32 2 374 54 16 for reservations.

(Chez) Marie – lunch menus for EUR 18, with an appetizer and main course. (If you order dessert on top of that, your bill will still be well under EUR 35). The setting is less formal than in the other restaurants, more brasserie-like and the service is also more relaxed. What I did miss were the amuse-bouches. All we got was some sliced bread and butter to whet our appetites… which is not much. The food, however, was nice and fresh, simply prepared: marinated salmon as a starter, followed by a white fish (mulet). But no surprises or “wow” moments. A bit of variety (meat-fish combo) would have been nice but at that price and with that quality, I cannot complain. Location: right off Place Flagey (on the side of the Etangs d’Ixelles), rue Alphonse de Witte 40, call + 32 2 644 30 31 for reservations.

Le Passage - lunch menu for EUR 25, including a mise en bouche, a first course, a second, and no dessert, but some mignardises instead (which is usually more than enough after everything that comes before…). Location: Uccle, close to Saint Job station. Call +32 2 374 66 94 for reservations.

People are picking up on these great deals, so book fast before the prices go up (some of them already have… the original post was supposed to be “Michelin meals under EUR 30…”)

The 2-star (technically, 2-macarons…) Michelin restaurants also offer lunch menus at lower prices than their regular menus (still not at a price that would allow one to justify going there on any given day…), but that will be the topic of another post later on…

New Restopass is out

So, the new Restopass is out. (Read earlier post on Restopass and how it works.) The restaurant selection has not changed significantly, although a few good locations have been dropped (Le Fruit Defendu, Museum Brasserie… probably because the 30% discount on these was too good of a deal!)

A couple other differences: the list has 40 restaurants now (instead of 30) but the price has also gone up to EUR 39.

Korean food in Brussels

UPDATE: Apparently Arirang is now closed. No indication of whether this is permanent or not. (February 2010)

In the past few days, people have been visiting this blog searching for Korean restaurants in Brussels, specifically in the Saint Boniface area. Indeed, there is a Japanese-Korean restaurant called Hana, which is on Rue Saint Boniface 21 (tel: +32 2 502 52 41). I cannot comment on it as I have not been yet… but other reviewers say the food is good and authentic and that it attracts expat Koreans in Brussels.

However, if you are looking for authentic Korean food in Brussels, go to Arirang, which is a bit further away on Avenue Louise. As mentioned in a previous post, Arirang is a Korean BBQ in nice setting that attracts many Korean businessmen, which already says a lot for the quality and authenticity of the food. The restaurant is run by a Korean lady and serves fresh, authentic Korean fare. Most likely the best place in Brussels if you are looking for real Korean food. Reservations: 02/ 649 22 43. Address: Avenue Louise 337.

Tip: Avoid the Korean Barbecue restaurant on rue Capitain Crespel, near Porte de Namur.

If you are looking for a Korean grocery store, venture out of Brussels to go to Shilla, a Korean Japanese supermarket in Overijse with a good selection of food and also some household items. Shilla, Brusselsesteenweg 410, 3090 Overijse, tel: +32 2 767 20 93. There is also a smaller store in Uccle, on Chaussee de Waterloo 1021.

Cospaia

Cospaia is a fairly large, trendy restaurant (for Brussels standards) located between Porte de Namur and Louise, off a small street called Rue Capitain Crespel, which is next to the esplanade between the two.

This is one of the many restaurants that is part of the Restopass 30% off offer. Overall, I would go to try it once (especially with the discount), or to go with drinks or dinner (with a date) because the venue is trendy and it looks kind of cool but the food is not exceptional and is overpriced for what it is.

A few more details:

- I went there when it was a bit less cold than now, so was able to enjoy the terrace upstairs, which is quite nice. Modern, spacious and very trendy (all of which are reflected in the steep price of drinks…)

- The venue itself is interesting – modern design, with a black and a white room, high ceilings and modern art/photography on the walls. The place was not very crowded, so there was a lot of privacy. (By the way, they also have private rooms you can rent out for private dinner parties. )

- Dinner is pricey: probably around 100 euro for two (appetizers ranging from EUR 14 to 26 and main courses around Eur 23-44), with just a glass of wine each and sharing dessert. Not really worth it for me, as the food was just ok, not great. The appetizers were probably the best part (I had a mix of shrimp and vegetable tempura), both in terms of size and quality. The main courses were really not memorable, nor was the dessert.

Bottom line: You pay a high price for being in a trendy venue where people go to see and be seen, but if you want really good food, go somewhere else for better food at a much lower price. I would go back maybe for a drink and appetizer, but definitely not for a full meal.

Le fruit defendu

Le Fruit Defendu is great find not far from the Chatelain area!

This small restaurant only has about a dozen tables, so you will need to book well in advance, especially on weekends. I had to try several times before I finally made it there, but it was well worth it and it has been one of the most interesting recent finds in Brussels.

The ambiance is cozy, candle-lit and warm. The place is very small and tables are quite close to each other, and some people might find it a bit too tight if they want a very intimate dinner.

They have a limited, seasonal menu which the friendly staff will be happy to go over with you (it is only written on a board – often a good sign… definitely the case at this restaurant…). The cuisine might be described as an upscale mix of French countryside food and a homemade meal. Good food at reasonable prices for the quality (around EUR 60-70 for two without drinks).

This restaurant is one of the Restopass selections, so it is eligible for the 30% discount the pass offers.

To book a table at Le Fruit Defendu, call +32 2 347 42 47. The restaurant is in Ixelles, rue de Tenbosch 108.

Last minute offer – Concert at Liege opera

For those of you looking for a last-minute “cultural” plan for tomorrow night (Saturday, November 7), here is an idea:

EUR 10 for a concert version of the opera Don Pasquale, conducted by maestro Ricardo Muti.

Might be a bit far of a drive just for a concert if you are in Brussels, but if you are a music enthusiast, it’s a great deal.

Get your tickets and more details through this link.

Nocturnes – Thursday evening museums

I’m a bit late with the announcement this year, but the Thursday evening museum openings (a.k.a. Nocturnes) are back.

The ticket price has increased a bit but remains very reasonable at EUR 2.50 (or just one euro if you are under 25).

The list of participating museums has not changed much from previous years and no, the much-awaited Magritte museum is not on the list. (You will see a Rene Magritte museum, but that’s the old one, not the new one on Place Royale…)

Change to winter time on 25 October

Once again, we’ll be changing time to winter time next week, on Sunday, 25 October.

What does it mean? In the morning from Saturday to Sunday night, at 3am you will have to change your clocks and watches back to 2am.

To remember: not all countries end daylight savings time the same weekend, so if you are making international calls or traveling, you might want to keep that in mind…

More info here.

Cosi

Cosi is one of the 30 restaurants included in the 30% discount booklet Restopass, located in the popular Chatelain neighborhood and thus, subject to a lot of tough competition since the area is full of fairly decent eateries.

The lowdown: Ok meal but not spectacular. You can do better for the same price in Brussels but the service is friendly and it’s fine for a night out with friends.

The restaurant has a casual, relaxed atmosphere and has two rooms, one of which is actually a covered terrace that is quite cozy (but can get a bit chilly at night). As an Italian restaurant in Brussels, its food is ok but does not impress much. Prices range from EUR 10 for a plate of simple pasta to around EUR 25 for some of the meat dishes. Dinner for two with a bottle of wine (and no dessert) will probably set you back EUR 70.

They have a decent escalope milanese and the pasta is ok (but if you’re looking for good pasta you can do much better in the neighborhood (try La Piola on Rue du Page)). The wine selection is a bit disappointing as they only have a limited selection of reds (without providing many details on the menu) and very few whites.

Bistrot du Mail: Michelin meal under EUR 30

Everyone has heard about Comme Chez Soi with its exorbitant prices, and sometimes not that cozy ambiance…

But not many people know about the Bistrot du Mail, which has one Michelin star less (but still, great credentials – one star is not bad at all…) but offers weekday lunch menus for EUR 25 to EUR 29 for a 2 or 3-course meal. (The prices have gone up in the last few months, probably because the secret is out… so hurry!)

The food is really excellent and you will have trouble finding such a good meal at that price in Brussels. The portions are not huge, but just right if you have the 3-course menu, which will take you about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete, so don’t go to the Bistrot if you are looking for a quick lunch between meetings…

Great deal for a weekday lunch but not so for dinner, which becomes a bit too pricey (not to mention it is much more difficult to get a reservation).

Some pictures to whet your appetite…