Eat Like Ushi

The haute chocolatier specialising in dark chocolate brought back memories to my visit here back in 2009. At that point I bought a thick molten hot chocolate and a few little bites.

On this occasion I bought the recommended "smokey and spicy" 72% from Kendeng Lembu in Java as something different. Apparently the beans grow on/near a volcano which gives them that distinct flavour. And indeed the chocolate has a smokey (though I couldn't say spicy - or maybe he just meant spices) element that curbs the minimal bitterness of the dark.

It's definitely not cheap but it's truly different.

This place had been starred on my Google maps (although I can't really remember why). I convinced a group of 6 to go for dinner and drinks (well I just booked it rather than convinced them) and I managed to get a last minute booking on a Tuesday night. One of the great things about visiting anywhere in Europe in the off-peak season.

They also advertised live music from 830pm (which actually started around 9pm). The group played a variety of instruments including bagpipes, an accordion, and a tiny violin and they intermittently sang in a language I couldn't figure out. It was entertainment and added extra to the environment. There's also decoration of suitcases all over the walls which was an interesting touch.

In terms of food, I was hoping for moules frites €22.8 but they didn't have any (out of season I guess). Instead I went for the full French option of Tartare de boeuf (viande hachée, persillade, échalotes, câpres, sauce anglaise, tabasco, frites) €20. The beef was diced and tasted very fresh. There were sliced pickles in between and a little mustard to bind it together. The fries were ok but nothing special.

It was decent and the environment friendly. The variety of menu items cater to all tastes and that combined with the atmosphere make it a good choice for an evening with friends.

I wasn't overly enamoured by local Flemish cuisine during my last stint in Belgium (back in 2012). But I thought it was worth another go. Fin De Siecl is a ridiculously popular (both local and tourist by the looks of things) place to sample local food and I was lucky that on this particular Monday evening the queue wasn't too long. Maybe it was because of the combination of being Monday and 0C temperature but I probably only waited for about 15-20mins for my table for 1.

The menu is written on boards on the wall which was perfect for my table's vantage point but less so for others seated around the room.

The main attractions seem to be jambonneau (a massive pork hock), lapin a la kriek (rabbit in cherry beer), and carbonnades. There's also stoemp (sausages on mash) which I fail to see how can be that exciting. I had kriek cherry beer which was nice, sweet and light and thus the only beer in the world (other than ginger "beer") I can actually stomach.

I asked the lovely waitress between jambonneau and carbonnades. She said are you really really craving a lot of meat? No - therefore go for the more traditional carbonnades. And I'm glad I did. It didn't look overly impressive but the carbonnades a la chimay €14.32 was near meltingly tender beef shin in a sauce that was minimally salted, but beautifully flavoured by the natural beef. It was really excellent. The sauce was mopped by smooth mash or the slices of baguette that was complimentary.

I wandered past on Friday night and the queue went out the door. Highly recommended if you're prepared to wait a little.

I didn't expect to eat fish and chips in Brussels, but I couldn't decide what to get. I'd tried EXKi already and didn't feel I had enough time to get something from Peck 47. Bia Mara looked tempting and the menu different to normal. They specialise in Japanese-style fish and chips with the fish coated in panko or tempura.

Panko is probably their mainstay given it is on 5/6 of options. However the tempura sounded different and so that was my choice.

Lemon Basil Tempura Sea Bream with seaweed-salted chips & homemade garlic truffle sauce €12 used a tempura advertised as infused with citrus zest and creative spice mixes. Indeed the crisp batter had excellent seasoning including a distinct citrus to it that wasn't just the lemon juice I later squeezed on. The fish was perfectly cooked and piping hot. For a nation that prides itself on fries, these chips were sensational. Firm and crisp coatings with burning hot soft insides and the seaweed-salt added an extra layer of flavour complexity to the norm. I was very impressed. They were smooth rather than ruffled for additional texture and they didn't have Belgium's distinct beef fat flavour as the frites karts, but neither of those are really criticisms. The garlic mayo did have an element of truffle (oil) to it but I didn't think the fish or chips particularly needed it, more an homage to the quality of the food.

The panko servings were even larger for fish than the tempura.

I'd gladly eat here again.

I was surprised to find so many Vietnamese (some doubling with Thai and Chinese) restaurants near where I stayed. It might be a bit disheartening to see that the menus do crossover cuisine quite a bit, but the staff at Thien Long are Vietnamese, including the lady in the kitchen who seems to only speak Vietnamese (ie. not French).

Pho bo is at a reasonable price €11 for a large. I'm quite sure the broth has MSG (as does the Flying Goose sriracha - the cock brand is better FYI). But the broth tastes good and nicely spiced. It is so authentic that they even give you both sawtooth herb (ngo gai) and Thai basil - true pho people will understand the significance of that. I've only ever been given ngo gai in Vietnam, maybe partially because it's expensive elsewhere, but still this was very impressive.

Additionally the noodles were good with a little bit of spring and no mush. The meatballs and brisket were very soft, although the sirloin wasn't the most tender but still acceptable.

Minimal English spoken so it helps to know French (or the Vietnamese names of foods as in my case).

I would return.

An enduring che thai with durian, four season fruit, agar, coconut, th'not fruit (?), snow fungus and jackfruit. The durian was very discernible and reinforced that I really don't like it. Otherwise good!

I'm not entirely sure of the name of this restaurant. It was amongst all the others on the riverside and we sat here for no better reason than going to any other place. Fresh seafood grilled on the table. Doesn't get much better.

Where locals go for a more Western experience (and slightly higher price) for a smoothie and breakfast bo kho.