Brasserie Midi Station - Brussels

Brasserie Midi Station is a unique concept, we got that as soon as we entered this exceptional spot. It s huge on the inside still trying to maintain a cosy atmosphere though. You have different areas in the place. A bar area with comfy chairs n sofas, a restaurant area with an open kitchen and an oyster bar. I saw on their site that they also have a cigar lounge but I haven´t seen it. The restaurant is run by Dirk De Prins ( known to the general public as a jury member in the TV show ´My restaurant !´ ). He was present at the time and did his own quality check at the table next to us. ( read : He had a lonely dinner, although you re never alone at your own place right :-) ) 

As we just got out of a huge traffic jam we treated ourselves to an aperitif in the bar area. 

an inviting table awaited us, with design chairs and a table runner that disapears in the table !

A super begin I might add

 We could follow our plate as it was prepared with a lot of care. This only improved the dining experience.

A litl amuse to entertain us.

As entrees we had scallops and a vegitarian mix, both very tasty

As a main we tried the Jack O´ Shea Hereford Premium Grassland Beef . Stated to be top beef. Grilled on charcoal. It most certainly had a distinctive taste and was served with a mild bearnaise sauce.

I on the otherhand had the - very difficult to photograph - pork cheeks in Geuze beer sauce. Which was a first for me. Well prepared I m sure but I was a bit distracted by the texture and the image in my head combo. It happens, one has to learn right. Anyway very soft tender stew-like texture.  

As an extra you should check out their toilets ( especially the wash up area ) and you can also park in a private free parking around the courner in stead of the expensive underground parking lot of the trainstation - like we did. Check the site of the Midi Station to see their daily lunches or updates on the friday live music and more. I might go back to explore the world of oysters as I recently managed to eat one after previous failed attempts :). Until next time !



The Breakfast Club - London



To start the year right the first of January we went to the Breakfast Club in Soho London. We found the place thanks to a tip in a book of Tiany Kiriloff. People que outside to have their breakfast in this charming spot.



The friendly guy that served us certainly contributed to the charms of the place. In his white sheetlike dress and his remarkable Galliano high heeled shoes he does his commercial chit chat verry unforced and you feel a part of the scene there. Nice touch in the decoration btw is the ´hippies use backdoor´ sign.

I ordered ´THE FULL MONTY´ : Bacon, sousage, black pudding, poached eggs, home-style fried potatoes, mushrooms, beans, grilled tomato and toasted multigrain bloomer.

Also very appealing were the ´PANCAKES & BERRIES´

which are served with maple syrup and vanilla cream

 My capuccino told me what we already knew, we 2 had fallen in love with the Breakfast Club !
You can check their site here.

Till next time !



Restaurant De Kapelaan - Aalst (BE)

Restaurant De Kapelaan is situated in the chapel of a former abbey of the black sisters. It is monumentally protected since 1997. The building is one of the strong points of the restaurant. The inside is divided in three levels, which can be seen from the entrance thanks to the open architecture. The ground level has the original memorial stone for the monks in white marble in its decor ( which is where we sat ). The first floor which contains an open kitchen and the second floor which is situated in the dome of the chapel

The chapel

 Entrance

ground level

 

1st floor ( pic from site )

2nd floor ( pic from site )

Food wise De Kapelaan has - besides a regular menu - a tapas formula, they call ´´ de tapalaantjes ´´. It consisting of a variety of 10 small dishes ( they advise to have 3 to 4 as a meal ). The other dishes on the menu are rather simple but well prepared. While waiting for the dish we were surprised to get a little amuse-bouche of tuna sashimi and fat liver. The main itself was okay, nothing more nothing less. All in all it was with care prepared food in an unusual location. Till next time!