Ahhhh!! described as 'rabbit taken in the Flemish manner' when I last ate
in Belgium. Stewed in dark beer with plums. Absolute heaven, but I
suffered from dark glances from my companions most of whom had pet rabbits
when young.

"cb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Aside from drinking the beer, it is also used in cooking, especially the
    > Flemish type of dishes. I had a Flemish stew that had been cooked with
beer,
    > also a rabbit (lapin) dish cooked with beer. In the Grand Place, I would
    > recommend a restaurant called Kelderke, located in a basement where you
can
    > rub elbows with locals and tourists alike, and where you can sample the
    > Flemish dishes. I even had a "horse" steak which was quite good. Have fun!
    > "richie" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Teak <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > news:<[email protected]>...
    > > > I don't have any suggestions on things to do in Brussels except the
    > > food is very good. Beer is cheap and VERY good. I can't remember if
    > > it's belgium but I got Whiete(sp?) pronounced "wheat" beer. It's a
    > > light color beer. One of my favorites. The chocolate is awesome and
    > > I'm not a big chocolate person. They are fresh and go bad in about 2
    > > weeks. Not that expensive either. Of course go find a place that
    > > make belgium waffle. It's crispy and sweet and nothing like I tasted
    > > here at home (US).
    > > >
    > > > My suggestion is to get to the Brussel train station as soon as
    > possible. Cause you'll have to get on the subway to get downtown or take
a
    > taxi. The surrounding area of the train station is not desireable. I
felt
    > a bit uneasy and I'm not a small guy.
    > > >
    > > > Since you said you're coming on the Eurostar I assume you're coming
from
    > England or some other far area. My advice for the train ride is to buy
some
    > bottle water and food to snack on. If you're on a budget it may be too
    > costly for you or your group.
    > > >
    > > > I'll say you'll need about 8-10 hours to enjoy brussel. Otherwise
    > you'll be spending alot of money to get there and not see or do much.
    > > >
    > > > -Teak
    > >
    > > Hi Teak! Thanks very much for your reply
    > >
    > > yeh! hopfully we'll get about 7ish hours of 'usable' time around
    > > Brussels Will definatly check out the chocolate. Any place in
    > > particular that's good for chocolate?
    > >
    > > Really looking forward to the trip! Will have to check out the 'wheat'
    > > beer and other local specialities (appologies is that beer's not
    > > local.. and suggestions for others we should try?)
    > >
    > > I've heard there's an artificial beach over there.. is it any good? :/
    > >
    > > richie

"devil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
    > On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 18:45:47 +0200, emilia wrote:
    > >
    > > "devil" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    > > news[email protected]...
    > >> On Fri, 08 Aug 2003 06:53:52 -0700, richie wrote:

    > >> It's called paling in 't groen/anguilles au vert. Translating into
"eels
    > >> in the green."
    > >>
    > >> Typically found in villages west of Antwerp and at the Dutch border.
    > >
    > >
    > > The first time I encountered eels in the Netherlands, I asked what kind
of
    > > fish it was. The waitress described it as "the long fish that eats dead
    > > bodies in the water".... Yum!
    > Are these bodies human?
    > :-)

I have the impression it was human but I don't know if my memories has made
it that way or if she actually said that.... I decided NOT to have the eel
dish...

"emilia" <emilia@(nospam)easy.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > Grab a mad and follow along the outline I gave you. You will see you can
cut
    > up & down & around and get to the same places so you might wander to &
from
    > the places you like. The outline I gave is basically a BIG circle around
    > (only part) of the city.


Obviously that should read maP!

"emilia" <emilia@(nospam)easy.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > "emilia" <emilia@(nospam)easy.com> wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > Grab a mad and follow along the outline I gave you. You will see you can
    > cut
    > > up & down & around and get to the same places so you might wander to &
    > from
    > > the places you like. The outline I gave is basically a BIG circle
around
    > > (only part) of the city.
    > Obviously that should read maP!
Going Mad in Brussels is only for the European Commissioners.
Derek.

On 8 Aug 2003 07:03:58 -0700, [email protected] (richie)
wrote:


    >If we're feeling daring we might try and do both.. will need very
    >carful planning as not to miss the train back home. We're traveling
    >from London UK. Hopefull the train won't be delayed
    >But from the sounds of things people are saying that Bruge is the
    >place to go
    >thanks again!
    >richei

Personally I don't think you will have time to do both. There is
more than enough to keep you occupied in Brussels for several days,
let alone one.

By the time you get from Brussels Zud (where Eurostar goes) to
Brussels Central Station and get yourself orientated, you will be
approaching mid-day. You will also have to leave time to get back to
Eurostar.

The Grand Place is as good as any where to start. It's only a couple
of hundred metres from Brussels Central station.The Mannekin Pis is
near there which is fun. There are plenty of places to eat and have
a beer around the area. Brussels has many better places to eat than
the tourist restaurants around the centre but they will stop you from
fainting from hunger.

If eating is one of your important things to do, then best to get
specific recommendations.

On my first full day visit to Brussels I went to Grand Place and
explored around the area. I did some shopping and got some good
bargains in one of the department stores. I also visited the Museum
of Ancient Art. That together with eating and getting around was
more than enough to fill my day.

On several trips I have gone to the Centre Belge des Bandes Dessinées
because I'm a big fan of Hergé ( who created TinTin). It also has
many other contributors (including some explicit adult comic strips).
It has a sort of bar/restaurant but not a cafe. I have never used
it because I didn't want to hang around waiting for service and food.

One Sunday I went to the Place Du Grand Sablon to see the antiques
market (held on Sundays) and I had a very pleasant lunch at one of the
cafe's nearby. I then walked back and visited the Cathedral where I
just caught the tail end of a bravura performance on the new organ.
This was a leisurely day for me so I wasn't in a hurry anywhere.

It was only after several trips to Brussels that I went to the Atomium
but it might be of more interest to someone else.

I usually walk everywhere since this is one of the ways I like to
explore cities. However it does eat into the time available just
getting from A to B and you need to allow for this.

You might like to check out
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...-Brussels.html
for a list of some of the more popular attractions.

Basically, if you have no specific interests in Brussels, I would
suggest you enjoy the whole trip just as a day out and not put too
many demands on yourselves to follow a specific itinerary.

Derek

Hi Richie-

While there are a number of interesting things about Brussels, the two
things that I would do if I only had one day are:

1) Mannequin Pis and the Mannequin Pis Museum which has all the various
outfits for Mannequin Pis that visiting heads of state would
traditionally present to the city of Brussels when visiting.

2) The Horta Museum- a magnificent art nouveau house.

Near Mannequin Pis are 2 small things I really enjoy.

3) One is the main square with a huge open plaza. (I don't know the
name) It's beautiful- but what's particularly gorgeous is an art nouveau
brass plaque on a wall just as you turn onto one of the walkways off the
plaza! (Maybe someone else can be more specific as to the exact
location, since there are a number of walkways out of the plaza.) It's
not something that you'd choose as a special destination, but since most
people pass through there and it's easy to miss, I wanted to point it
out.

4) The other thing that I like is the female counterpart- I think it's
called Janneke Pis or something-or-other. It's in the courtyard of an
apartment building nearby. She squatting to pee- while of course
Mannequin Pis is doing the male version.
I just like that there's a female equivalent.

Seeing these two and eating some of the delicious food other people have
mentioned will give you a wonderful day of things that aren't available
elsewhere.

Have a great time-

Susan



richie wrote:
    >
    > Hi there!
    >
    > I'm new to this message group and was wondering if you could help some
    > friends and me. We've managed to organise a day trip to Brussels on
    > the 6th of September by EuroStar and was wondering what are the
    > essential sights, activites and eateries that are not to be missed in
    > Brussels. We're only there for the day so hopfully we can pack as much
    > into it as possible.
    >
    > There's a group of 10 of us heading off. The 6th is a Saturday (do
    > people shut their shops early or have different opening hours over the
    > weekend?). We'd liek to try out some of the local food if possible.
    > And hoping for a really sunny day.
    >
    > Any suggestions would begreatly appreciated.
    >
    > Thanks for you help in advance
    >
    > richie

Hi,

Shops do not close early on Saturdays, meaning they'll be open till
18.00.

Chocolates: Try Mary (Koningsstraat, Rue royale), Neuhaus, Godiva. The
cheap brands are really disgusting.

Don't go to Brugge, you cannot do this in so little time. You'll spend
at least 90 minutes travelling each way (the Brugge station is a bit
out of the centre).
Go to Brugge (historical) and/or Gent-Antwerpen (historical AND
nightlife) some other time.

Beer: Don't start mixing them. Some of them are quite strong. In most
pubs, you cannot (as in England) choose between draught lagers (size
or brand). You just ask for 'a beer' and you get whatever lager they
sell in a 25 cl (+/- half pint) glass. Bottled lagers are supposedly
'luxury beers', mostly Carlsberg or Tuborg (again, no choice) and
always more expensive.

Have fun,

Peter.