Piola Libri – Italian books, wine and appetizers

Piola Libri is an Italian bookstore/wine bar located just a few blocks from Schuman on 66-68 rue Franklin (tel: +32 2 736 93 91). This is a bit of a hidden treasure in an otherwise not-so-interesting part of town and most of the clientele is still Italian, which speaks for the authenticity of the place.

In addition to offering a good choice of Italian language books and DVDs, Piola Libri hosts a lively bar (from Monday through Saturday, but particularly frequented on Fridays) that offers an extensive Italian wine list, as well as really appetizing Italian snacks to accompany your aperitivo - every evening starting at 18h00. (Lunch is also served Monday-Saturday.) Staff are friendly and in additon to Italian books, you can also buy Italian wine, pasta, and other typical products. During the summer (or rather, when Belgian weather permits…) there is outdoor seating in the front, as well as in the rear. A great way to end a workday!

Note: The Bar is closed from 4-28 August and the bookstore from 11-28 August. Always closed on Sundays.

Thalys sale for Antwerp-Paris

Thalys is having yet another summer sale today and tomorrow (until 23h59) for tickets to Paris.  Departures, however, are only from Antwerp (Central or Berchem stations). Tickets are EUR 19 each way in second class, EUR 39 in first class. Travel is permitted between 20/08/07 and 30/09/07. You can book your tickets online now.

Brussels beach Tango

As part of the Brussels beach activities, tango enthusiasts will have the chance to dance tango on the beach on Sunday, August 5 starting at 14h00. Those who don’t know how to tango, are invited to attend the milonga (name given to a “tango ball” so to speak – it is like a ball, but much more informal and welcoming) and enjoy it by watching. Who knows, you might even discover a new passion (tango can be quite addictive). There will be a “parquet” (hard wood dance floor) devoted to the milonga.

For more information, please contact Nosotros Tango Club

Booking hotels

One of the best hotel booking services for last-minute reservations (up to 21 days in advance) I have found so far is Rates to go.There are some really good deals and I have not been disappointed by the more than half a dozen hotels I have booked through that service in France, Italy, Czech Republic and Spain.

However, I would always recommend doing some comparison shopping because although some of the offers are really good, others are actually quite the opposite. For comparison shopping, Expedia or Hotelreservations work well, which are also superior when it comes to booking hotels outside Europe.

For Italy, the largest selection is offered by Venere. (Deals for other countries are not always that great.)

Brussels restaurants – different tastes

Few cities have such a high concentration of high quality restaurants. But maybe you are getting a bit tired of the many good Belgian, Italian, French and other continental cuisine restaurants the city has to offer and you feel like trying something new… Here are just a few tips for a culinary break in Brussels:

1. Slovenian House – ok, this still counts as “continental” food, but it’s a first step towards trying something new without going too far into the unknown. This restaurant / tourism office (the venue serves as both, which might make it seem a bit odd) offers traditional Slovenian dishes, many of which are reminiscent of Italian cuisine (no doubt related to the geographical proximity). Expect simple, everyday food (no haute cuisine or lavish creations) but the portions are generous and although it will not be a life-changing experience, the meal will keep you satisfied and happy you tried something new. (The seafood servings in the seafood dishes are more generous than in most other restaurants!). Main dishes range between EUR 10-15. Every now and then there is live music, sometimes from bands from Slovenia (I was there one night when a Slovenian jazz band was playing and they were quite good). Traditional Slovenian honey, salt and wine are also for sale at the restaurant. Neighborhood: Place Jourdan.
2. Shuka – Persian fast food set-up with an option for dining in (what locals would call a “snack” place). The options are not enormous, but the food is good and authentic. The owner is Iranian and in addition to the standard menu, there is a dish of the day. I would recommend the beef kebab and/or koobideh (a thin grilled steak and a strip of grilled ground beef, respectively), any of the rice dishes (zereshk polo is excellent if you like sour tastes – it’s rice with barberries- but you’ll have to special order it), and kashk-e bademjan as an appetizer (an eggplant spread). The food is good, but just order for take out as there is nothing to say for the decor (most customers do take out, except a few who know the owners and go there to hang out with them). Neighborhood: Porte de Namur.
3. Arirang – Korean BBQ in an agreeable setting (yes, this restaurant is “date-approved” unlike the others). The restaurant attracts many Korean businessmen, which already says a lot for the quality of the food (bulgogi beef – great pick). If you order a BBQ dish, the meat is brought to your table raw, so you can cook it to your taste (there is a grill in the center of the table). The restaurant is medium-sized – there are several booths next to the bar and regular tables as well. Reservations: 02/ 649 22 43. Address: Avenue Louise 337. (Note: On www.resto.be the restaurant is still listed under its old name “Korean barbecue“)

Thalys Paris tickets sale on 18 July

Thalys is having another online sale: a two-day sale starting on Wednesday, July 18. Tickets from Brussels to Paris are EUR 19 one way in 2nd class (or EUR 29 in 1st class). Travel is allowed from August 1st through September 7th. Book early, especially if you want to travel on weekends.

Note: Thalys has online sales throughout the year, but the most interesting offers tend to appear in the summer time, when business travel declines and they still need to fill up their trains.

Brussels rollerblading

If you are looking for an outdoor city activity this summer, search no more: Every Friday evening from now through September 28 (except September 14) you can rollerblade in Brussels following an itinerary that starts at Place Poelaert (metro Louise, in front of the Palais de Justice) at 20h00 and ends in the same spot three hours later, at 23h00. During the roller tour, you’ll get to even go through some of the city’s many tunnels, which are closed to all car traffic for the occasion.

More info on the official website of Belgium Rollers.

Cheap flights to BCN and VLC

Low cost Spanish airline Vueling is having another promotion for cheap tickets from Brussels to Barcelona and Valencia. The booking period ends tomorrow, Wednesday, July 11th but the tickets are good to travel from July through December. You can find tickets for as little as EUR 63 roundtrip (taxes included). For travel on weekends, there is more availability for flights to Valencia later in the year.

Top hotels Barcelona

Looking into a sunny weekend escapade to Barcelona and need a good hotel?

Here are my favorite hotel picks:

#1: Hotel Banys Orientals

Great location in the Born area, hip part of town with lots of small restaurants, shops, etc. and just a short walk to the Jaume I metro station. The hotel rooms are small but offer excellent price value (less than EUR 100 for a double room) and trendy design. The hotel restaurant serves great Catalan food.

The only downside: You either reserve in advance or it’s impossible to get a room. (Well, and the bathroom is really dark).

#2: Hotel Actual

This one is located in a more “upscale” area, but also very central (intersection of Rosello and Passeig de Gracia). Rates are higher than at the Banys Orientals but still very reasonable for this area of Barcelona. And like the Banys Orientals, this is a boutique hotel with a trendy, ceontemporary decor.

Ambelis: Cypriot food in Brussels

If you’re not just looking for good views or lively neighborhoods, such as Place du Chatelain and others, but are actually looking just for good food, here is a new discovery for you.

Just a few minutes away from the more popular Merode area, you will find a several better quality and better priced restaurants hidden in side streets between Merode and Montgomery. Ambelis is one of them.

Ambelis, a small to medium-sized restaurant managed by Cypriots and quite popular among the Greek-speaking community (if you dine there, you will mostly hear Greek but no worries, they can also take your orders in French and English), is great for a quick or extended meal. The ambiance is casual, taverna-like, and the food is actually genuine and good.

Go for the appetizer/mezze size dishes (price range is EUR 5-7 for each) and pick a few, so you get to sample several of the delicious dishes. I especially recommend the keftedes (delicious, small meatballs) and the affelia. Try also some of the cheese dishes, such as the tiropitakia (triangular cheese puffs, for lack of a better translation), and some halloumi, the traditional Cypriot cheese. For those who feel like having some greens with their meal, why not have a traditional salad (the xoriatiki – tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and feta…. and don’t forget to dip your bread in it after).

The restaurant is closed on Sundays, but usually open the rest of the week. As always, though, it’s best to make a reservation (call +32 2 732 25 35) if only to check the restaurant’s schedule (tricky in the summer – many restaurants in Brussels close for part of the holidays).

The restaurant is on Avenue de l’Armée 41B (1040 Bruxelles), on a quiet corner and when the weather permits, they set some tables outside (better than inside, which tends to be loud as noise resonates a lot inside).