Renata Riva (1976)

While walking in the streets of Brussels we all tend to look at the pavement because it’s very uneven and difficult to walk on, let alone if you are wearing high heels. But Brussels has lots on offer if we manage to rise our eyes. The houses, all over, they have their own ’900 style, narrow and tall, red bricks on the façade and… “shoes cleaner” (grattoir).

If you have ever paid attention the lower side of the houses, you surely haven’t missed out some “holes”, most of them with metal “chain”. Never asked yourself what’s this? Well… set yourself back in the beginning of the ’900… roads were not paved, there were no cars but horses taking people around, Belgium is a country were it rains quite often… easy to think that when walking around, your shoes would be very dirty, full of mud… would you enter your house with muddy shoes? Not really… so here it’s the invention… shoe cleaners just next to the front door!

In Brussels there are hundreds of different types… from now on, don’t only look at the pavement, but also at the buildings!

In Brussels you can easily find all kinds of food, but what’s missing in many places is the atmosphere. What attracted me to La Kasbah in the first place was its window full of oranges.

As soon as I entered I felt I had been instantaneously transported to Morocco. Dark light, low tables, lanterns and a good smell of food. Yes, this is the place for me I thought.

I always start with mezze, a small Moroccan tapas including aubergines, Moroccan salad and spinach. I then continue with tajine, the lemon chicken and the prunes ones are fabulous. Be careful, they are burning hot when they are served!

To finish the dinner, I usually go for fresh mint tea served Arabic style, very very sweet and poured from high up. The service is very good, waiters are friendly and they will remember you if you return.

Another one of those typical places which are always pretty packed because the food they serve is very very good!!

The list of quiches is never-ending (and with a choice of vegetarian dishes) and they are always served with salad and bread. If you can’t decide which one to eat, just go by the counter and check them out. Just be careful, if you pass in front of the cakes fridge you will not be able to avoid ordering a big piece of one of them. The strawberry one it’s just fantastic. If you can’t live without them, you can also order them take away!

There’s a good choice of beers (Hoegaarden served with lemon slice, just the way I like it) and tasty freshly squeezed orange juice.

The staff is always rushing and sometimes a bit “hard” but they will always find you a place! Sit at the ground floor or the terrace: service is definitely better there!

Although you may think Brussels is flat, it actually has few hills! Try biking around and you’ll notice it! An easy way to reach “uptown” from “downtown” is taking the elevator.

In the Marolles area near Sablon there’s a small square (square Breughel L’ancien) from where you take this free elevator, open every day till midnight, for bikes too!! And when you reach the top…THE VIEW!

All of Brussels opens in front of your eyes. On a clear day you can easily distinguish the “Basilique“, the Atomium and the entire city center. You have also reached the Palace of Justice (impressive building) and one of the main shopping areas in town, Avenue Louise, where you’ll find both commercial and high end brands. So, it’s just time to enjoy!

Square St. Gery is probably the most famous place to go for a beer. A few minutes walk from La Bourse, it has a dozen bars of all kinds where to relax for a drink, some food, a chat and even to dance or watch a movie.

My favourite bar of all times is Mappamundo, right in the corner, with 3 floors, a wide selection of drinks and even the possibility of food during the day.

There’s a terrace equipped with heaters so that also in winter you can check out what’s going around the square.

Music isn’t too loud at the beginning of the evening, giving you the chance for chatting. In the back there are rooms where big groups can fit so that you have some kind of privacy.