WINING & DINING

See above: ortysse et chaussettes et Atelier D et Magritte Menu at restaurant hotel AMIGO


 Parachute Parc, rue Washington 151, Tel 02/346 68 29; Really good food, modern but warm environment (In Uccle -$10 taxi from the center of Brussels)


Also: Place Flagey is a new night spot surrounded by cafes and restaurants


Good Italian: Aglio e olio- Chausée de vleurgat 25, Tel 02/  648 40 25


RESTAURANT DU MUSEE:  Where cooking meets art. Very trendy, ok food , expensive. Located next to the Ancient Art Museum. Reservations required: http://www.museumfood.be/


BON BON: Located in Uccle ( 20 $ taxi ride). Small intimate restaurant with 1 Michelin star. The chef is wonderful, and lived in the USA for 4 years. Reservation at least 2 weeks in advance. Expensive. Tel 023466615; 93 Rue des Carmelites.


AU FOUrNEAU: No reservations, eat at the bar. Not on Friday or Saturday nights because the wait is over one hour. But great for lunch. Located on Place Ste Catherine ( where the Christmas Markets are.) Other nearby options: La Marie Joseph or OP den Boer.


 LES BRIGITTINES: Traditional and beautiful décor located a few steps from the Sablon. Tel 02512 69057;  http://www.lesbrigittines.com/  * good for groups


 COSPAIA: Happening in the summer especially on the terrace overlooking Ave. Louise. Food is good, décor interesting, very trendy. Located next to Avenue Louise near the Conrad hotel. Ask for Maitre d': Benoit Meert and tell him you know me. Tel  0475362997; http://www.cospaia.com/ .


 LE VIEUX ST MARTIN: I still love this place & It’s cool anytime but EXPENSIVE.. Located on Place du Sablon, where President Clinton was hanging out alone in Brussels not so long ago. Also visit next door the store FLAMAND ( you can have lunch there), MARCOLINI chocolatier, and WITTAMER cakes & chocolates across the street.


 INADA: Belgian Japanse chef. Restaurant in private house. Really different:  tel 02538 01 13


LA QUINCAILLERIE : Great for Oysters.


LA  ROUE D'OR/ LES  ARMES DE BRUXELLES : These are both still great. La Roue d’Or : Hoedenmakersstraat 26, tel: 02 2 514 25 54, Armes: Rue des Bouchers,13, tel : 32 2 511 55 50


JALOA. Brasserie :  It has a garden. 5/7 place ste Catherine: http://www.jaloa.com/  02 512 1831. Great food for the price ( not inexpensive) they have 2 restaurants now.


 BRASSERIE PLOEGMANS : Belgian Brasserie. Rue Haute 148 ; (02) 503-2124.


PLACE BRUGMAN: GAUDRON: Located in Uccle ($15 cab drive). Locals; modern with bio food. 3 Place Brugmann; Tel 023439790; www.gaudron.be.  Sur la place aussi « Dandoy » et « Winery » bar a vin top , « l’intemporelle » et pas loin « le toucan sur mer »


KOLYA:  Always good and warm ! Located in the Manos premier: 106 chausse de Charleroi 02 533 18 30 (not for from Conrad hotel), GREAT GARDEN


VINI CUCINA: Italian cuisine. 864 Chaussee de Waterloo; www.vinicucina.com; Tel 02372 3727.
NOTOS: VOTED BEST GREEK RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF GREECE! Greek cuisine. Very special; wonderful food & atmosphere, very local + EU people. Located very close to the Conrad Hotel. 154 Rue de Livourne; Tel 02 513 2959.


LE FILS DE JULES : Southern French food. Located next to La Quincaillerie, Place du Chatelain, Rue du Bailli area. 35 Rue du Page; Tel 02 534 0057.


AU REPOS DE LA MONTAGNE : Very Belgian & good local restaurant. I really like the area that it is in, St. Job ($20 taxi ride). Rue de la Montagne.  


 DOMAINE LINTILLAC: Very French cuisine; foie gras. 25 Rue de Flandre ; Tel 025115123.


 Always a good experience : Vincent Downtown, le chalet de la Foret ( in the surburb but beautiful terrasse in the summer and great food) expensive especially if you take a taxi. Worth it!


 On the main square ( grand place) for a coffee or a beer: le roy d'espagne ( corner)
***If you happen to BE IN BRUSSELS ON SUNDAY AND YOU WANT  A REALLY GOOD BRUNCH , GO TO THE CONRAD  HOTEL ( RESERVATION NECESSARY) LOBSTER, OYSTERS AND ONLY GOOD FOOD IS DISPLAYED. INCREDIBLE DISPLAY OF CAKES. GREAT, COZY ATMOSHERE AND VERY INTESTING LOCAL PUBLIC MIXED IN AGE.


lunch or late bar or anytime uptown: A MALTE:  30 rue Berkmans around the corner of Chaussée de Charleroi
 If you do not want to miss a 'FIESTA" check www.brusselssucks.be


 Local AREAS where I like to hang out:
 RUE XAVIER DE BUE: My local neighborhood ($15 taxi from downtown) which is full of stores & cafes with enough to explore for 2 hours. This is of course only after you've explored Avenue Louise with nice shopping uptown; Rue du Bailli ( Place du Chatelain) which is in walking distance from uptown; and Rue Antoine Dansaert which is very young and trendy with expensive shopping.