Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Belgium : Brussels - March 2010

Country Code: Dial for Belgium

In March, Brussels is filled with balloons (balloonsdayparade.be), and books – budding novelists flock to the annual Book Fair (flb.be), with the chance to meet over 1400 publishers, authors and artists. And some of Europe’s finest arts and antiques will be on display for 10 days at the Eurantica fair (eurantica.be), renowned for its eclectic and modern collections. Nina Lamparski finds out where else the wild things are this month

Getting around

Brussels Airport

Bus: The No 12 bus runs every 30 minutes between the airport and Rond-Point Schuman. The journey takes about 30 minutes. A oneway ticket costs €3.
Train: Trains from the airport run every 20 minutes at peak times. The journey takes 15 minutes and trains go to Brussels’ three mainline stations. Tickets cost approximately €2,80
Taxi: A taxi from the airport to the city centre will cost around €25-35. The journey should take about 25 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office can be found on Grand’Place in the city centre (tel. , www.brussels.

RUE DE LA RÉGENCE

Stretching from the Justice Palace to the Royal Square, this historical avenue is an ideal starting point for exploring Brussels’ rich cultural heritage.

Sleep soundly – A five-minute drive from here lies the exquisite four-star Le Dixseptième (25 Rue de la Madeleine, tel. , ledixseptieme.be, weekend rates from €100). This former residence of the Spanish ambassador has lavishly decorated rooms that will delight classical art lovers.

Culture vultures – Begin your tour of discovery at the Museum of Ancient Art (3 Rue de la Régence), part of the Museum of Fine Arts. This elegant institution has a splendid collection of Flemish old masters, with 1200 paintings by Bruegel, Bosch, Rubens and many others. Then, weather permitting, stroll through the lovely Sculpture Garden running alongside the museum. Other noteworthy addresses include the Royal Conservatory (30 Rue de la Régence) and the Great Synagogue, right next door.

Must eat – Run by Finnish sisters Linda and Nina Rosas, Soul (20 Rue de la Samaritaine, tel. ) has become a neighbourhood favourite for those in search of exciting, wholesome food at reasonable prices. The extensive menu offers fish, meat and veggie dishes with a twist, such as the sesame-seared tuna on millet with roasted carrots, wilted spinach and sweet pepper sauce (€19). Add to that the restaurant’s cosy décor and you’ve got all the proof you need that this address is a labour of love.

Dance the night away – It’s tacky, silly and so much fun! The Karaoké Bar Sablon (34 Rue Sainte-Anne) is anything but fancy, but the party often turns out to be much better than that at a posh nightclub. Hidden down a side alley off the Sablon Square, it’s the perfect spot to come with a bunch of friends and sing your drunken hearts out. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 21:00.

CHAUSSÉE DE WAT

Forget trying to walk this avenue from one end to the other – it runs across three Brussels communes all the way to the epic battlefield of Waterloo, a 30-minute car drive from the city centre. The long stretch between Ixelles and Saint-Gilles boasts a plethora of great restaurants and shops, with a few that really stand out.

Culture vultures – Built in 1662, Chaussée de Waterloo is an example of the city’s chameleon nature when it comes to architectural styles. Spot art deco details, such as the door of number 446 or the stained glass featuring a sunset at number 250, alongside many neo-classical and modernist buildings.

Must eat – Admittedly it’s more expensive than the average Brussels eatery, but En Face de Parachute (578 Chaussée de Waterloo, tel. ) is worth the extra euros. This French-Mediterranean restaurant celebrates the art of fine cooking in a candlelit setting that boasts old floorboards, wooden benches and a chalkboard menu. The seafood is excellent. Expect to pay around €50-60.

Must drink – Charming, warm and over-flowing with character – wine bar Kipik (433 Chaussée de Waterloo) is Italian through and through. Guzzle wonderful reds and indulge in tasty morsels from Calabria. A different vibe awaits you at the slightly snooty T’Chac (798 Chaussée de Waterloo). Open since late 2008, this place attracts expensive heels and slicked-back hair. It stays open late on Saturday nights, though, and can be really good fun when people decide to loosen their silk ties.

Shop til you drop – Even if you’re not a domestic god(dess), it’s worth having a peak in kitchenware store Le Piano (563 Chaussée de Waterloo), which sells anything from small funky items like cups and pans to the latest high-tech equipment. On the same street, at number 336, grungy comic-book shop The Skull celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, making it the oldest of its kind in Europe – according to the owners, anyway. You’ll find new, second-hand ex libris and manga books, cheesy film posters and other titbits.

RUE BORGVAL

You’ll fall in love with and never want to leave this teeny-tiny alley right in the heart of the vibrant Saint-Géry quarter. With its cobblestones, candlelit restaurants and music joints, it exudes a Mediterranean atmosphere. Perfect for a night away from the mainstream.

Sleep soundly – Every city has its legendary hotel, and in Brussels it’s the sumptuous Metropole (31 Place de Brouckère, tel. , metropolehotel.com, package deals from €89.50). Opened in 1895, the establishment features a truly lavish French Renaissance interior. During your stay, a cognac in the aristocratic 19ième Bar is a must.

Culture vultures – If you’re lucky, you might be able to score a ticket to the Groove Armada gig, which takes place on 6 March at Ancienne Belgique (abconcerts.be), just across the road from Rue Borgval. There’s no need to be disappointed if not, however, as the international contemporary Ars Musica festival (4 March – 2 April, arsmusica.be) holds a smorgasbord of concerts, expos and parties across venues in the city.

Must eat – Supremely romantic, the pocket-sized Le Petit Boxeur (3 Rue Borgval, tel. ) is a French gem that’ll tantalise your taste buds with delicacies like Saint Jacques and scampi risotto with truffles and parmesan. Just as cosy, but more suited to an evening spent amongst friends, is Italian bistro Chez Martin (40 Rue Borgval, tel. ). It stays open late and serves up cheap, delicious meals.

Must drink – The Saint-Géry square has so many great bars that you’ll be spoilt for choice. One standout address, though, is the beautiful Mezzo café (18 Rue Borgval), with its chandeliers and stripped brick walls. DJs will play anything from low-beat house to French chanson and R&B.

Dance the night away – Be aware that you’re entering hot territory at La Salsa (9 Rue Borgval), a superb Latino cocktail bar-cum-nightclub. Open till late.

MÉRODE

Located behind the headquarters of the European Commission, this leafy, historical neighbourhood is home to embassies, the majestic Cinquantenaire monument and its splendid park, along with many fabulous boutiques.

Sleep soundly – A short drive from Mérode is the illustrious Gresham Belson (1 Avenue des Anciens Combattants, tel. , gresham-hotels.com, rates from €130) with 135 elegantly appointed rooms with Wi-Fi.

Culture vultures – The Triumphal Arch, towering over Cinquantenaire Park, was built in the early 1900s as a monument to Brussels’ glorious past. The iron and glass halls on either side celebrate turnof- the-century industrial architecture. The southern edifice is home to the Autoworld Museum (autoworld.be), featuring old-time cars, while the northern one houses the Royal Military Museum. Not known by many, the latter lets you climb all the way to the top of the monument, from where you’ll have breathtaking views across the city.

Must eat – Breakfast is always yummy at Pain Quotidien (71 Rue des Tongres, tel. ). From boiled eggs and cold meats to croissants, orange juice and homemade jam, everything is fresh and served with a smile. On weekends you’re likely to spot the Lanssens butcher shop (67 Rue des Tongres) from a mile away, because of the queue for the sizzling sausages.

Shop til you drop – Few streets in Brussels offer better retail therapy than the Rue des Tongres, beside the Mérode metro. Lined with fashion stores, interior design boutiques and beauty salons, the strip is less crowded than inner-city shopping hubs but offers a similar variety of brands. The mini-malls of Galerie du Cinquantenaire and Passage Linthout, meanwhile, are good for French and Italian shoe labels. Check out Lamiel (1 Passage Linthout), which has a wide range of brands.

Compiled by Nina Lamparski