Belgium
Thanks indeed to the Two Hairy Bikers for their suggestion to try this fantastic restaurant. The food was gorgeous and the staff were obviously selected for their efficiency as much as their looks. We dined like kings and yet the meal came to about 100 euros, a bargain. I'd love to go back and try the steak & chips and some more wonderful Belgian beer. Try it, you will not be disappointed.
Belga Queen Brussels
Rue Fossé aux Loups 32
1000 BRUSSELS
Phone:+32 2.217.21.87
Fax:+32 2.229.31.79
Email:info.brussels@belgaqueen.be
Visit Musée du Cacao et du Chocolat. Belgium is renowned for its delicious chocolate, which makes this an essential visit.
The museum tells the story of chocolate, right from its cocoa-based origins, as well as having lots of unexpected things made out of chocolate.
Ever fancied wearing chocolate? Marvel at the chocolate clothing, which means chocolate can now be worn outside the bedroom!
Sample the museum’s delicacy as you explore and you can even take some home with you, with a visit to the shop. It can be found on Rue de la Tête d'Or, Brussels.
An excellent restaurant slightly out of the normal tourist areas. A converted warehouse with some al fresco dining. Food was excellent and very Belgian. Service was prompt but not intrusive. Lots of locals. Atmosphere was great.
Rue Notre-Dame du Sommeil 12-20 ... Off place du Jardin-aux-Fleurs, Around the Fish Market ... www.manufacture.be
The little chocolate shops around the Grand Place are divine. The shop owners will let you sample some of the chocolates, too - so you can end up doing a chocolate crawl for free!
Venture to Godiva in Brussels for sublime chocolate.
Don't miss Pierre Marcolini at 39 Place du Grand Sablon - probably the best chocolates in the universe.
This is an area about ten minutes walk from the Grand Place. Follow the road downhill and you will arrive in Place St Catherine. It is much quieter than the Grand Place but has lots of places to eat.
I can recommend "La Villette" if you want a Belgian experince both in terms of hospitality and cuisine.
La Villette, Place St.Catherine
A spotless no-frills hotel 20 metres from the Grand Place, which in itself is an architectural gem.
Book the hotel from an internet booking site as we got a rate one third of the rack rate. The hotel provides a substantial breakfast and is close to all the sites.
Strongly recommend Chez Leon to eat. It prepares fresh moules in a huge variety of ways. For an after meal beverage you cannot beat Cafe Delirium which is down an alley 25 metres beneath Chez Leon, directly opposite the feminine version of the Manekin Pis. A trip to Brugges is well worth the train journey including a climb up the magnificent Belfort tower.
Hotel Aris, Rue De Marche aux Herbes
Forget what you've read in a guide book or heard in whispers, the best frites in Brussels can be found at Place St. Josse. Choose lashings of mayonnaise, pili-pili, cocktail sauce, ketchup or just au natural. Check it out, you will not be sorry!
Brussels, Place St. Josse
Sometimes cliches do have a point and there's no point in visiting Brussels unless you fulfil this one - head to Chez Leon.
18 rue des Bouchers; Tel: 02 511 14 15; Nearest metro: Gare Centrale/pre-metro Bourse; Open: noon-11pm Mon-Thurs & Sun, noon-11.30pm Fri & Sat; www.chezleon.be/
Send your feedback or queries to been.there@guardian.co.uk
Search Been there
Your tips about Brussels