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/33530 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33530 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33529 shunned expansion and stuck to its retro-style packing, discreet service and pralines named after Princesses past and present. This is about class, but there is nothing to be concerned about on price! Chocolates are still made by hand by around ten employees in a former armaments factory.
A browse through the brochure reveals that chocolates should be kept between 15 and 18 degrees, avoiding rapid changes in temperature. “In truth, however, our chocolates seem to disappear rather quickly.” You bet they do.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33529 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32431 and set out on their own. So, what did friends Stefan and Régis - those intrepid chefs - do next? They began selling homemade tarts and quiches from a cart at Flagey market, using recipes from their respective grandmothers. I wasn’t in Brussels then, but I know that I would have approved.
Over the last twelve years the tarts have moved inside from cart to shop, and some recipes have
evolved, but others have stayed exactly as they were, including the grandmothers’ Linzer raspberry tart and the frangipane. However it was the lure of lemon that first drew me into their shop on the rue de la Paix, and I am happy to learn that the tangy, creamy lemon tart and the raspberry Linzer one are the bestsellers! There is one other shop run by the friends, and a few franchises, but Régis says they have no plans (or scope) to expand outside Brussels.
It’s a good thing they enjoy it: Stefan and Régis get to work at about 6am producing their daily tart selection. Theirs is an enticing window display of chocolate, raspberry, apple and brown sugar – in mini tarts and larger versions for you to take away - or step inside to savour them all on the premises where they are made.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31659 I particularly like the fluffy, light, lemony fromage blanc speculoos, the tangy tarte citron meringuée, the pêches framboises, the sucre brun, the barbecue quiche, the gourmand au chocolat … I’d better stop there. Perhaps they won’t travel well, perhaps you’ll have no dinner party to go to, but you can still enjoy one in the gardens of the Abbaye de la Cambre, a short walk away. The residential area around the abbey, Ixelles ponds and Place Flagey area is a good place for a wander.
A New York outpost of Les Tartes de Françoise opened recently, the first outside Belgium. Surely the first of many …]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31659 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30995 In the streets surrounding the square old men play cards, and everyone else walks without purpose or lingers on terraces. Have a look inside some of the retro emporiums on rue Haute or rue Blaes, groaning under the weight of the furniture, paintings and pistols piled on top of one another, and flinch at some of the prices. There’s a similar feel in Modes, stuffed claustrophobically full with vintage clothes. Then have a drink at La Brocante, on the corner of the square, before heading up to browse in the bead and silver jewellery shops (Atchoum and Dominique Polain) on the rue des renards, and finally finish off the promenade with your choice of a beery Belgian stew at Restobières – or a wholesome brunch at Het Warm Water, across the road.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30995 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19456 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19456 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16108
Stroll down Chausee d'Ixelles and back via Chausee de Wavre, investigating the shops and bars along the way. The contrast with the rest of the city is heightened by the fact that the area is not out in the suburbs but close to the city centre.

Just the other side of the metro station are the antique shops and grand buildings of the Upper Town.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16108 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16105
This major European chain sells general electronic devices plus a fair selection of CDs but excels with its choice of DVDs at competitive prices.

Art-house and world cinema titles which would be hard or impossible to find in the UK are well represented though remember to check that foreign language films have English sub-titles!

(There is also a branch of Media Markt in Antwerp on De Keyserlei close to the Central Station.)]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16105 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16098
Pick up a priceless rarity you never knew you needed, meet the locals and exhaust your euros surrounded by classic Belgian architecture, the shouts of stallholders and a unique, animated atmosphere.

Of course, when you can haggle no more, you can collapse at a local café with a glass of red and some sumptuous Belgian food.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16098 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16094
Pierre Marcolini manufactures his grand cru chocolate himself, using cocoa beans that he selects personally.

He is among the last five craftsmen working this way in Europe. Truly amazing chocolates, pastries, ice creams and sorbets - look out for the chcoclate squares with Earl Grey or Assam tea ganache!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16094 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16093
The area has many attractive shops and boutiques - they really know how to dress and window dress! Tucked off the side streets of the Elsene quarter are lively markets, galleries and tree lined squares for coffee and finding unique gifts.

At the far end of Avenue Louisa are grand villas and gardens, lush parks and gardens of Terkamerenbos.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16093 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16085
Ten minutes from here via the Place des Martyrs, have lunch and marvel at the Art Nouveau masterpiece by Victor Horta the Center of the Comic Strip on Zandstraat.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16085 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16066
Among the many bars and restaurants surrounding the Grand Place is The Toone Theatre, 66 rue du Marche-aux-Herbes, providing three unique Belgian delights under one roof.

You can sample a rare local speciality ‘Plattekeis’ (cream cheese with radishes) accompanied by a choice of over 20 beers, including ‘trappiste’ monastery brews.

But the real treat is enjoying these while sitting on raised wooden benches being entertained with a puppet show, in traditional dialect, from the famous Toone Marionettes, whose performances date back to 1830.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16066 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15621
This major European chain sells general electronic devices plus a fair selection of CDs but excels with its choice of DVDs at competitive prices. Art-house and world cinema titles which would be hard or impossible to find in the UK are well represented, though remember to check that foreign language films have English sub-titles!

There is also a branch of Media Markt in Antwerp on De Keyserlei close to the Central Station.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15621 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14729
These shops keep me coming back for their cake platters, which are rimmed in silver or gold plate and have a lace insert in the centre. To the best of my knowledge, these platters cannot be found anywhere else in the world.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14729 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14727 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14727 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14726 www.marcheauxpuces.org) offers an alternative view of Brussels.

Open every day (although I can't personally vouch for Christmas Day!), the best bargains are to be found first thing; it's open from 6am. Afterwards, retire to the nearby Place du Grand Sablon for a well-earned coffee and cake before peering into the windows of some of the city's most exclusive antique shops - a million miles away from the colour and chaos of the market.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14726 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14668
Then make sure to head for the fun fair, which has fabulous antique merry-go-rounds with weird and wonderful moving creatures to ride on. Also, there is a great flea market where you can still manage to pick up superb retro furniture at reasonable prices; just plan ahead on how to get them on the Eurostar.

Ooh, and take warm gloves, hat, scarf and coat because it is super chilly in December - but at least it makes you feel Christmassy!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14668 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4465 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4465