http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34627 For too long this historic bar had wallowed in its own smoky grime, trading on its reputation of years of epic chess matches, rumours of original tiled bathrooms, and its most famous customer, René Magritte. Coming back I’m astonished at the transformation: it’s almost too new, and so shiny that Magritte would probably not recognise it. It’s certainly no longer a place where I can imagine any scruffy artist at the window trying to sell paintings. I haven’t yet spotted any chess players, either.
It took a private Dutch investor and some regional subsidies to finally save this listed building from leaks and bring it up to modern standards. Sitting in here you feel like a drinker in the first class lounge on the Titanic. I’m told by one of the waiters that Magritte used to sit in the right hand window viewed from outside - in any case, that table is always occupied! Drink one - drink three - but I think the food is better elsewhere - best to head next door for that (or try one of the many other restaurants nearby).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34627 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33954 buzzy Asturian community centre, open Friday to Sunday evenings and staffed by volunteers for the last 20 years. Inside older community members prop up the bar, and tables of Spanish speakers alternate with other nationalities, all happily gorging on generous plates of gambas, ham, cheese, sardines and calamares – washed down with beer for 1 euro or Asturian cider, poured from a great height to get the air into it. Past the bar with its photos of landscapes and Asturians proudly wielding their prize-winning cabrales cheese, the centro gives way to a village hall atmosphere, complete with functional tables and plastic chairs. Last time I was convinced our table of seven had over-done it: we’d ordered nearly everything on the menu, twice! But we still managed to finish everything – and three bottles of rioja - for the princely sum of 20 euros per head.
Open Friday and Saturday evenings and for lunch on Sunday.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33954 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33531 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32331 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32012 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32012 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31417 For once I haven’t come to gawp at fish. Did you know that Nemo 33 in Brussels is the deepest indoor swimming pool in the world? I didn’t, but recently I took my first ever scuba diving session here in the warm water, under the careful supervision of Filippo, one of the diving coaches. He patiently shepherded me as I practised sinking, hand signals, breathing, mask-clearing and trying to advance without rolling in circles according to the whims of my waistcoat. By the end of the lesson I was finally making progress, and we descended the rope down to the five meter bottom and peered through the glass windows trying to catch sight of the diners in the restaurant.

The Nemo pool is divided into various different compartments. Filippo beckoned us over to see down into the 10 metre area, and then I nervously sneaked a look into the abyss of the 33 metre pit. I could not see the bottom and was very glad not to be going down there!

My one hour introduction to scuba diving cost 45 euro per person, with a maximum of two people sharing the instructor. However there are different levels of courses available, not just in French and Flemish, but in English and other languages. All equipment (fins, masks, waistcoats and oxygen tanks) is supplied, and for hygiene reasons the only personal dive equipment you can use are your fins and dive mask. Divers not accompanied by an instructor must have a buddy and a dive computer. Certified divers pay 22 euro a session. Non-certified or those with less than a PADI Open Water certificate pay 30 euro. 15 minutes before your allotted time a bell rings to summon you to the changing rooms, and shortly before time’s up a bell will ring in the depths to tell you to begin your ascent….

Afterwards you could try your luck and have a drink or dinner in the Thai restaurant, with a view of the divers. However after 25 minutes of bubble watching without acknowledgement I was getting annoyed and hungry – so I gave up and went home!
I’d advise you to book well in advance and read the Dive briefing and other information available online.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31417 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31059 Then some rowers got to know about it, and before long TV cameras turned up and things started getting busy. Last time I heard the friterie had sold out of T-shirts and its newly famous creation, the “Texas King Burger”, had received copyright status.
It’s the perfect macho challenge: eat one giant burger and you win a T-shirt; eat a second and you will have earned a two week break in the owners’ apartment in Spain. Easy enough, you think, until the monstrous 1.2kg burger advances across the room and you feel your bravado – and hitherto voracious appetite- wilting away!
The challenge was dreamed up on a trip to New York, but you should know the owners and their creation are about as Brussels as Brussels can be: with stories, attitude, laughter and that accent indicating we shouldn’t take anything we hear too seriously. The dinner plate-sized homemade burger will be assembled in front of you and served encased in baps and encircled by frites - tasty, worthy rivals to other offerings in this chip-blessed city. Just remember, there’s absolutely no shame in failing to finish a Texas King, but the owners will never tire of watching you try!
A Texas King Burger will set you back 12 Euros, and can easily be shared. I’m told that only three people have managed to eat two.
To get there, take bus 95 in direction of Wiener and get off at stop Arcades.
The friterie is open every day from 18:00 until 22:00 and also for lunch 12:00 – 14:00 Monday to Friday.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31059 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30993 particular fan of the carbonnades here, but in fact everything on the menu I’ve ever tasted has been excellent.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30993 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19454 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19454 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19450 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19450 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16820 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16107
The food is utterly Belgian especially when the owner, Alain Fayt, matches the menu to his personally sourced Belgian beer.

A different glass with each course is accompanied with his unique commentary. The dessert even comes with its own floor-show.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16107 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14793 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14793 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14771
To enter Scheltema is to step into a place where food is to be savoured, not rushed. Serious-looking, but kindly and knowledgeable waiters (all male and of a certain age), add to the experience. Truly wonderful.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14771 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14751
Try Au Vieux Bruxelles for traditional Belgian cuisine in (sometimes very!) cosy surroundings or Mano a Mano for simple, high-quality Italian food. L'Ultime Atome is a great choice for a drink, with a good range of beers and outside tables; it also does decent, brasserie-style food if you're peckish.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14751 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14728 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14728 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14679 www.restaurantvincent.com.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14679 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14651 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14651 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14633 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14633 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3828 1.The museum is located in one of the most stunning art nouveau buildings in Europe, built by master architect Paul Santenoy.
2. It houses one of the best collections of musical instruments you will ever see, with over 6000 pieces.

3. The top-floor bar and restaurant offer good food in a very stylish décor, where you can relax for a few hours or entertain friends.

Bonus: the stunning views over central Brussels. There is an open-air roof terrace in summer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3828