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Brussels Grand Place

10/18/2015

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​This is Brussels jewel

​A lot has been said and written about this place that has survived so many wars.  All guides explain how it was build and the link between the buildings and the former guilds that were grouping together craftsmen. These guilds were sorts of unions or lobbies of former centuries.
In 2015 Brussels municipality founded the redecoration of all the buildings. They were cleaned and all their gold ornaments renewed.  So, now Grand Place looks amazingly beautiful. Grand Place is at ten to fifteen minutes by tram from our Brugman Court apartment.
Detail of Brussels Grand Place
Detail of Brussels Grand Place after redecoration
Brussels Grand Place
Brussels Grand Place


​Freemasonry

One of the unknown aspects of this architecture is the presence everywhere of symbols of freemasonry.  Some experts say also that Grand Place hides Alchemy messages.
By watching the facades you will discover them. Try to find compasses and set square and masons tools and pictures.
 
There are also tours and guides that will help you in this investigation if you are interested.
Picture
Freemasonry symbols
Freemasonry symbols


Belgian ​Beers

​Since one of the houses is named “Maison des Brasseurs”  (house of the brewers) it is quite normal to find a dedicated shop where you will find almost all beers that Belgium produces. 
Picture
Some of the 250 beers produced in Belgium
Some of the 250 beers produced in Belgium
Beer shop Grand ¨Place
Beer shop Brussels Grand Place

Links
​

http://bruxelles-mystere.skynetblogs.be/archive/2009/08/18/la-grand-place-de-bruxelles-alchimique-premiere-partie.html

http://www.hiddeneurope.co.uk/alchemy-in-brussels

​http://www.veltra.com/en/europe/belgium/brussels/a/101775
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Recipe of one our favorite restaurant: En Face de Parachute

5/8/2015

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Saint James Scallops on a mousse of split peas, with black truffles

Recipe of Cyril Jolivet, chef at En Face de Parachute

En Face de Parachute, is one of our favorite restaurant at only ten minutes walk from our place Brugman apartment. Cyril Jolivet is a very creative chef. He proposes, a menu that changes each day of the week. 


Very kindly, he allowed our camera to film one of his recipes. Cyril is from Marseile, in France, so he comments in French but we did subtile the video in English. Bon appétit.

Brugman Court
http://www.enfacedeparachute.be/home.jsf?nav=492&lang=3&lang=1
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The Belgian Chocolate

1/13/2015

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The history of  Belgian Chocolate

From pre colombian cultures to Neuhaus and Godiva

The chocolate was born 4000 years ago in latin America, probably in Honduras. Named Xocoalt, it was only a drink. Between 250 and 900 after J.C. the chocolate took a great place in the Maya culture. Then the Tolteques and the Azteques settle in Mexico where they honor Quetzacoatl, the god of chocolate.

In 1519 Hernan Cortes receives chocolate from the Azteques and imports it in Spain ten years after. The ports of Antwerp, Bruges and the city of Gent are then part of Spain possessions and become the centers of the importation of chocolate : this is the start of the Belgian chocolate.

In the XVII th century, the chocolate becomes a rage amongst the rich people in Brussels.
In 1910 the production of chocolate becomes industrial and the belgian techniques (selection, blend, moulding, torrefaction) are state–of-the-art. Neuhaus and Godiva start there. The colonisation of the Congo also allows Belgium to get the cacoa from Africa, more tasty then cacao from America.

In 1212 Neuhaus creates the first « praline » i.e. the small sophisticate chocolate pieces of today.
In 1936 Jacques creates the " bâton " (stick) more democratic and easy to break in small parts.

Neuhaus window at Sablon
Neuhaus window at Sablon
Neuhaus chocolates
Neuhaus choice of chocolates

Where to buy chocolate in Brussels

Wittamer's pastries
Wittamer's pastries
Marcolini at Sablon
Marcolini at Sablon
The world famous Godiva, Neuhaus, Marcolini or Wittamer have all their flagship store in Le Grand Sablon which is located at 15 minutes from our  Brugman Court Apartment.

Besides those, there are also interesting, less touristic, artisanal and creators’ boutiques. 

The most traditional (and exquisite) is Mary, on Royale Street. This old company from the XIX th Century is « Fournisseur de la Cour » i.e. supplier of the royal family. The style of the waiters is typically belgian chic, very courteous and… royal.

Also try Frederik Blondeel just down the Grand Sablon. It’s inventive, tasty, surprising and refined. You can also have a seat and taste a drinkable chocolate or a tea.

If you like bitter and spicy chocolate  try Laurent Gerbeaud, 2 rue Ravenstein (down the Sablon).

Just visit also the small Musée du Chocolat, not far from the Grand-Place and Manneken Pis. There you will taste some chocolates, assist a demonstration of processing of « pralines », test your recognition of different types of chocolates.

How to get there

You can find all the boutiques we mention at the Grand Sablon, 15’ by direct tram from Brugman Court. (lien). The tramway stops on Brugmann Avenue, 5’ walk from the appartement.

Mary rue Royale  tram 92 on Brugmann avenue, direction Basilique, « Royale » stop.

Frederik Blondeel, rue de la Paille 32. Tram 92, « Petit Sablon » stop.

Laurent Gerbeaud, 2 rue Ravenstein. Tram 92, « Petit Sablon » stop.

Marcolini place du Grand Sablon. Tram 92, « Petit Sablon » stop

Wittamer Grand Sablon. Tram 92, « Petit Sablon » stop

Neuhaus Grand Sablon. Tram 92, « Petit Sablon » stop

Musée du Chocolat

9-11 rue de la Tête d’Or 100 Bruxelles. Tram 4, stop at « Bourse ».

Godiva
Godiva's window



Chocolate for daily use

In Belgium, the well known « pralines » are more for events like family gatherings. But the Belgians eat chocolate almost everyday. For that they buy « bâtons » which are more economic and less heavy.
Our favourite daily chocolate : Côte d’Or, in every supermarket.

Try also Galler.
Belgians also use chocolate in pastries and in the famous « mousse au chocolat » , 

Recipe of Pierre Marcolini's mousse au chocolat

Mousse au chocolat « comme maman ! »

200g chocolate containing 70% cocoa
5 egg yolks
50 g unsalted butter
10 egg whites
60 g caster sugar 
18 cl of fresh cream.
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.
Add the butter. Smooth the mixture.
Separate the eggs. Blanch the yolks in a bowl ( beating a hand whisk ) and pour it on your first preparation. Set aside.
Beat the cream with an electric mixer at ¾ in a second bowl. In the third bowl, beat the egg whites with the sugar.
Whisk to mix the contents of the first two bowls.
Pour a first part.
Add to this the egg whites and mix with a spatula from the bottom up.
Pour into a bowl. Shoot everything and let cool a few hours!

More about the history of chocolate

http://www.chocojacques.be/fr/lorigine-du-chocolat-aventures-et-evolutions-de-la-pr%C3%A9cieuse-f%C3%A8ve-de-cacao

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Good food in Brussels. Our choices

12/15/2014

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Gastronomy around Place Brugman

Brussels offers a great choice of excellent restaurants with cooking from all over the world. We are quite fortunate at Brugman Court to have several of them at just walking distance.


Gaudron

Just across the place you will find at Gaudron a variety of delicious dishes that you can either eat there or order to take away if you decide to stay home without cooking.
Their breads and croissants are excellent as well and you can have your breakfast there or brunch at weekend. You can opt for a vegan menu at Gaudron if you don’t eat meat.
Téléphone :+32 2 343 97 90
Adresse : 
3 Place G.Brugmann, 
1050 Bruxelles

Plash Brugman

At 50 meters from Gaudron you will find Plash Brugman.
More traditional Belgian and French cooking. The owner’s name is “Plash” that sounds similar to “place” and explains how he decided to call his restaurant. You cannot miss it. At lunch the mood is quite “bourgeois” but at dinner it gets younger and noisier.
Téléphone: +32 2 344 32 10
Adresse:
35 Place Brugmann
1050 Bruxelles

Toucan sur mer

If you like seafood and shells you will find at 10 min walk on Avenue Lepoutre.
Don't take fish there but only shells and oysters. They are very fresh, the owner is from Brittany and gets excellent stuff.
Téléphone: +32 2 340 07 40
Adresse:
17-19 Av. Louis Lepoutre
1050 Bruxelles

Le Pain Quotidien 

Almost opposite you have a good "Le Pain Quotidien". There you can have salads and a lot of sophisticated sandwiches. "Pain Quotidien" started in Brussels and now has got franchises all over the world. 
Téléphone: +32 2 343 33 59
Adresse:
515 Chaussée de Waterloo
1050 Bruxelles

En Face de Parachute

One of our favourites restaurants is on "Chaussée de Waterloo" at 10 to 15 min walk, it is named: "En face de Parachute".
Cyril the cook is an artist , he is very creative and never cooks the same dish twice. Small restaurant with excellent food. At lunchtime you will find a “plat du jour” which is not too expensive. Ordering “à la carte” is more expensive of course. 
Téléphone: +32 2 346 47 41
Adresse:
578 Chaussée de Waterloo
1050 Bruxelles
Photo
Photo


The Winery

On Place Brugman, The Winery is a quite good wine bar with of course excellent wines. They also serve ham,cheese and nice salads. Great ambiance at aperitif hours 
Téléphone: +32 2 345 47 17
Adresse:
18 Place Brugman
1050 Bruxelles

Il Lionelo

If you like Italian food, go to Il Lionelo on avenue Vanderkindere.
The place is without charm but the food is exceptional perfectly cooked.
Téléphone: +32 2 347 57 97
Adresse:
371 rue Vanderkindere
1180 Bruxelles

Le Vieux Saint Martin

Another spot you will visit and discover is "Le Sablon" at 15 min by tram.
There we like "Le Vieux saint Martin", they have a large choice of excellent dishes, some like “waterzooi” being typically Belgian.  The kitchen remains open the whole afternoon and evening so you can eat there at any time.
Téléphone: +32 2 512 64 76
Adresse:
38 Place du Grand Sablon
1000 Bruxelles

La Marie Joseph

If you choose to eat fish we strongly advise La Marie Joseph at Fish Market It is just excellent.  Both la Marie Joseph and Le Vieux Saint Martin belong to the same family. The father of today's managers was collecting Belgian paintings. So you have on the walls marvelous works of art. he has been buying them when the artists were not so much known. At the apartment you have paintings of two of them, Alechinsky and Dotremont both belonging to the Cobra's movement (Cobra stands for Copenhague, Brussels Amsterdam.)
Beware that none of these two restaurants takes reservations.

Téléphone: +32 2 218 05 96
Adresse:
47-49 Quai au Bois à brûler
1000 Bruxelles
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Good food near Brugman Court

10/30/2014

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Chez Montaigne

The last-born of the restaurants of the square. Minimalist decoration enhancing two works of the Belgian artist Jean-Luc Moerman. Contemporary cooking sometimes créative, seasonable products, giving a good place to the vegetables-quinoa-tartares trend but also gourmand. Caterer proposing the caviar by Kian, the foie gras by Vidal, the jams of Carla and attractive salads. Shaded terrace in summer.

Photo
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