Restaurants

One of the things I missed as soon as I left my Torino was the ritual of the aperitif. After work we used to meet in bars in the town center, and enjoy some drinks accompanied by free food, this is the concept.

And one day, walking around Brussels, I heard someone speaking my dialect, I turned around and saw “La Piola” aperitif bar in Brussels. I almost cried while ordering a glass of white Moscato wine and picking some of the food.

A few years have passed since that day, and the Piola is still running. There are 2 even.

La Piola Libri is a bookstore, wine bar, apero bar, concert/conference place for Italians or Italy lovers. The evenings with Guccini and Vinicio Capossela were unforgettable. It’s nested in the European Quarter not far from Schuman so go early if you don’t want to be waiting for your spritz too long.

The second branch, La Piola is just off pl. Chatelain (rue du page 2, Ixelles). It’s an apero bar, a wine bar and also a good simple Italian restaurant with a nice front terrace and a backyard garden.

Do not expect the variety of food you can get in Torino, but I still feel at home (you can even read La Stampa, the Turin newspaper).

I don’t know if it’s caused by the cosy interior, the location on one of the prettiest squares in the center of Brussels or the sunny terrace. It might be because of the mouthwatering food and the warm welcome by owner Menoodj. Anyway, there are only a few places where I immediately feel at home the moment I set foot inside, Cafe Pom is definitely one of them.

In the morning Pom is a place where you can score your daily portion of caffeine, accompanied by a tasty cake bite while reading your newspaper, and fresh smoothies and juices are a sweet alternative for those who aren’t into black gold.

Although it’s called ‘Cafe’ its main asset is food. Next to cheaper, more ‘regular’ baguettes, ideal for a student budget, they also have a special range of more exotic snacks with a Surinamese focus. Especially the roti Pom, a Surinamese pancake with tasty chicken, is a delicious lunch snack.

Thursday and friday evening you can order (quite big) ‘tapa’ dishes, excellent value for money and vegetarian options are always guaranteed. Check Facebook for the menu and the latest news.

All dishes are as organic as possible and freshly made , so not everything on the menu is always available. Because Menoodj makes sure all served food is candy for the soul and mind you’ll opt for an alternative with a smile on your face… and that is how I often exit the place as well.

The world refers to them as French fries, although there is no population in the world that eats more of them and they were invented here, in this country. You spent all your money in chocolate stores and you’re running out of budget? Or you’re just looking for some quick and cheap snack?

Try a typical ‘frietkot’ and head to Fritland, located in the tourist heart of the centre. Ready in a minute and you can eat them inside, outside on the terrace or as takeaway to enjoy your meal at the steps of the Bourse.

Skip the french fries, you’ll find them better elsewhere, and try a mitraillette, Fritland has the best ones in town. No fear, no one will get harmed, it’s just a baguette with hamburger, lettuce, baked onions, cocktail sauce and – of course – Belgian fries.

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!

You can already smell this is a place where you can forget the clichés of the typical Greek restaurants you’ve been to too many times. No giant souvlaki on your plate, sitting between fake Corinthian pillars while you’re being disturbed by bouzouki players bringing serenades at your table.

A typical Greek ouzerie is a place where people come together to drink their ice cold ouzo and enjoy some often cold appetizers, called mezedes. This mezedepoleio of course offers you ouzo, and has a broad selection of delicious cold and warm mezedes.

Fill your table with stuffed peppers, warm saganaki cheese, the Cretan dakos bread, fried aubergines, meat skewers, keftedes meatballs and fish.

Jump into the world of the authentic Greek, Cretan and Mediterranean kitchen and select, mix and share your favorite menu.

Kali oreksi