Brunch at Le Rustique

I finally decided to get myself over to Place Brugmann to check out the various brunch spots suggested in the book “Un an de brunchs a Bruxelles” that I covered in a previous post. After doing an initial reconaissance tour of the square, I went to Le Rustique – it looked cozier, more charming and overall more interesting than the rest and as it turns out, it was definitely a good choice! (Le Balmoral was more happening, but my brunch buddy was put off by the decor: “too pink”.)

Le Rustique has about a dozen tables (seating between 2 and 4) divided into three sections: one right at the entrance of the shop, which serves as a boulangerie-pattiserie; another one in the middle, which resembles a living room/library; and another one in the back with views to a charming little garden.

The owner will welcome you with a big smile and will do everything possible to make sure you have a nice meal and enjoy your visit to her establishment. The ambiance is quiet and agreeable – a lot of the people in there are regulars.

And the food? Very generous portions at extremely reasonable prices. If you are a light eater, you can have just a croissant for about EUR 1.50, or if you are hungry, you can go for one of the brunch menus, for 4, 7 or 14 Euros. The most expensive item, the “Brunch” is a great deal at EUR 14. Included in that menu is bread (or croissants), a coffee or tea, an orange juice, ham, parma ham, cheese, salad, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs (… a lot of food!) As a bonus gift, the owner adds a seasonal specialty or whatever she feels like (below, a mini onion soup in the tajine and a generous portion of home-made foie gras with its onion jam). Here it is:

It’s a lot of food, so if you’re not a huge eater, you might want to split the brunch menu, and get something else on top of that… But Le Rustique is definitely a place to check out!

Looking for other ideas for brunch? Take a look at these previous posts (part 1, part 2, part 3).

 

Brunch in Brussels (part 3)

So, here it is, the third and last post listing the brunch spots featured in the book “Un an de brunchs a Bruxelles” (I’m not promoting the book, but at the very least, I need to acknowledge where this list comes from…)

In part 1 we saw restaurants in the center and Sablon area, part 2 covered Laeken, Schaerbeek, Etterbeek and Ixelles. This final part covers Saint-Gilles, Uccle, Foret and the Woluwes. If you know or try any of these places, please share your feedback!

1. Mmmmh! (Louise – Place Stephanie)
2. La Cremerie de la Vache (Louise)
3. Mac Sweeney’s (Louise)
4. Sikou (Parvis St Gilles)
5. Au Pays des Merveilles (Parvis St Gilles)
6. Midi Station (Gare du Midi)
7. Les Rives du Gange (Souverain – Watermael B)
8. Blue Elephant (Vivier d’Oie)
9. Le Pavillon Imperial (Fort Jaco)
10. Pavillon Louis XV (Wolvendael)
11. Kamilou @Wiels (Foret)
12. Cook and Book (Wolubilis)
13. L’Orchidee Bleue (Montgomery)
14. Cocooning Breakfast (home delivery)

Want more ideas? Check out this list of top places for brunch in Brussels.

Brunch in Brussels (part 2)

So, here’s the next part of the brunch list of the book “Un an de brunchs a Bruxelles“. The previous post included spots mostly in the center and Sablon area. This part of the list focuses on Schaerbeek, Etterbeek and part of Ixelles.

The book also includes some suggestions on things to do (besides eating) in each of the neighborhoods, as well as some recipes.

Enjoy!

1. Restaurant de l’Atomium (Laeken)
2. New Epsom di Roberto (Parc Josaphat)
3. Au Vatel (Jordan)
4. Le Rustique (Brugmann)
5. Le Balmoral (Brugmann)
6. Portrait de Famille (Brugmann)
7. Gaudron (Brugmann)
8. Le Pain du Chatelain (Chatelain)
9. Raconte-moi des salades (Chatelain)
10. La Chatelaine du Liban (Chatelain)
11. Odette en ville (Chatelain) They stopped doing brunch. 
12. Banco (Bailli)
13. Le Salon (Bailli)
14. C’est pas raisonnable (Flagey)
15. Sucre Sale (Fernand Cocq)
16. L’Ultime Atome (Saint-Boniface)
17. Crystal Lounge (Louise)
18. Tea & Eat (Louise – Place Stephanie)
19. Coffee Shop(Louise – Place Stephanie)
20. Cafe Wiltcher’s (Louise – Place Stephanie)

The next post (3rd and last) will have the last part of the list in the book, covering Saint-Gilles, Uccle and the Woluwes.

Brunch in Brussels (part 1)

I just came across a not-so-new (about 8 months old) book (in French)  on brunch spots in Brussels called “Un an de brunchs a Bruxelles“. Each of the 52 restaurants reviewed comes with a short review, some pictures, price range, and full contact details.The price tag for the book: EUR 14-15 and it makes for a nice gift for brunch lovers.

Take a look at the list and see if you agree with the selection or you think anything is missing (approximate location in parentheses):

1. Les Larmes du Tigre (Jeu de Balle – Marolles)
2. Les Halles des Tanneurs (Chapelle – Marolles)
3. Bl@Bla & Gallery (Jeu de Balle – Marolles)
4. Het Warm Water (Jeu de Balle – Marolles)
5. Chez Mamie (Jeu de Balle – Marolles)
6. Wittamer Cafe (Grand Sablon – Marolles)
7. L’Orangerie du Parc d’Egmont (Louise – Sablon)
8. Hilton Brussels (Louise)
9. Green Kitchen @ Belvue (Parc Royale)
10. MIM (Mont des Arts)
11. L’Epicerie (Gare Centrale)
12. Le Wolf (St Jean, rue du Lombard)
13. L’Arriere Cuisine (Bourse, Plattesteen)
14. Houtsiplou (Place Rouppe)
15. AM Sweet (Saint Gery – Bourse)
16. Le Pain Quotidien (Dansaert – they picked this one, and for some reason not the famous one in the Sablon…)
17. Charli + Nordzee (Sainte-Catherine)
18. Le Cafe Modele (Dansaert)

It’s a long list, so that’s it for now… stay tuned for the rest!

If you prefer to stick to virtual lists, here is a list (untested) by another blog (in FR) which coincidentally has the almost the same name as this one…