photo the style bar 2010
No one can deny the allure of long weekend stopover after a gruelling journey of nearly 30 hours across the globe and countless time zones.
But the choice of destination can be made a little difficult if you don’t want to spend the whole time rushing around, trying to pack lots of things in, only to leave feeling even more wrecked than when you arrived.
And so I was both relieved and quite excited to find that Brussels is a city that offers you the chance to quietly explore its streets on foot, before retiring indoors to take refuge from the sub-zero temperatures in its warm and convivial bars and cafes.
photo the style bar 2010
In fashion terms, the guides all speak of the many independent designer boutiques that the city is known for, and there are certainly plenty of them to keep you occupied for a couple of hours of window shopping, along with the usual larger avenues where you will find the global chains and luxury brands.
But I was particularly enamoured with the fabulous vintage shops, Gabriele and Lucien cravat, that I discovered whilst strolling along the Rue des Chartreux in search of a suitably cosy bistro for that evening’s dinner.
And after the fashion, there is of course the food – steak, frites, chocolate, beer – ahhh, I am drooling at the mere memory – plus the civilised approach to dining that they share with their French neighbours – in short, everything I love about a city in a manageably-sized package!
photo www.publicobxl.be
Two fabulous dinners were enjoyed at Publico, with its laid back, local clientele and very fun and friendly staff:
photo the style bar 2010
And, if you steer away from the tall glass buildings of the European Union headquarters and spend your time ensconced in Lower Town as I did, you get a very nice and familiar town feel, even with the imposing grandeur of Grand Place a few short blocks away…
Definitely worth a second look!
