Hey Benelux BA! I'll be in Brussels for the day on 17.9.2014 for about 10 hours (vacationing in Paris but I've got a day off to myself) and I'd love to meet up with you guys and share a beer. I'll be visiting Cantillon and Moeder Lambic but I'd love to explore as best I can. If anyone wants to hang out or trade that day, shoot me a BM! Honestly, I'd just love a good recommendation for lunch since it will be my only major meal in town, seems all the famous beer bars are essentially that, beer bars with nothing great food wise. Kev
Thinking to keep it close to your locations, since you don't have a lot of time... Near ML Fontainas, Nuetnigenough is a short walk, beer-focused and good unfussy food. Burgers (although really, coming from the US, no point) and some decent beer at Houtsiplou. In't Spinnekopke also not far for more classic belge dining and a long beer list, both of which have probably slipped a bit, but still a memorable experience if you don't mind blowing, I would guess, well over an hour. A bit further, and better, without the long beer list but actually serving the beer they list (and good stuff, at that) are 9 et Voisins and Fin de Siècle. Near ML St. Gilles, with even less food of its own, there aren't the same concentration of food-beer-combo landmarks. You could walk down to the Parvis St. Gilles and browse menus or go a few steps down Ave. Jean Volders to Porteuse d'Eau for a good beer list and classic belge cuisine, but I personally haven't eaten there, or maybe I have but was too dazzled by the interior to remember. There's a good pizzeria nearby on Chaussee de Forest (ask at the bar) and hearty Portuguese good at the cafe just on the other side of the town hall. (I'm drawing blanks on names but going to the bar tonight so if I get a chance to detour and check, I'll report back -- or else somebody else on here will remember.) For Cantillon environs, I'm less armed. Unless you can get into the famous Brasserie Le Paix... There are lots of same-y levant/Greek cafes all around Gare du Midi; I can't think of what one/s I'd remember enough to recommend. There's a fabulous Lebanese place (name blank again) on Chaussee de Mons--actually there are probably a bunch, but there's at least one particularly good one marked out by having a large display case of salads and veggie dishes, so, go there, follow your nose, and take a beer break. Hey, you could make a Brussels experience out of just hitting a Turkish kebab "snack" shop, all over the place. I'm sure I can think of more suggestions if you're completely beer-indifferent at that point (taking a beer break, maybe) -- but give an idea of cuisine, how fancy, how willing to walk?
Try having lunch at Les Brigitinnes, It's not that far from ML, Cantillon and gare du midi. Place is a bit more upscale but is really good with different Bottled Cantillons on the menu and De La Senne on draft. Dishes like tender beef cheeks in Cantillon Kriek, rabbit, carbonades, pig's feet....traditional but some of the best in Brussels. Otherwise Nuetnigenough, restobières or La Brocante in the Marollen neighbourhood, La Buvette or Café des Spores near original ML.
Hmm, I cook beef cheeks in wine all the time. Can´t believe I´ve never thought of doing them in Kriek before. It would probably feel a bit sacreligious though.
Thanks for all the tips! It seems like Nuetnigenough might be the winner, but who knows, it's an adventure!
Just be aware that you can't make reservations for a table at Nuetnigenough and the wait can be somewhat long sometimes. But it is a very good resto and has an impressive beer list!
Had a wonderful meal at Nuetnigenough last year....paired with a Cantillion Iris. Will be back in February. Enjoy.
