It seems that almost every important thinker, philosopher and writer has passed through Brussels at some point: Victor Hugo, Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlaine, Karl Marx... to name a few. Erasmus, the Dutch Renaissance thinker and humanist, who went on to found a highly popular student exchange programme, lived in Anderlecht for a few months on his way to France.
At the time, Anderlecht was a thriving cultural hotspot and an important seat of learning. These days, it is a quiet neighborhood in the West of Brussels, often overlooked by tourists and locals alike. That's a shame, though. The house where Erasmus stayed is now a fascinating museum, full of old manuscripts and artifacts that document his work, humanist learning and the general atmosphere of the period.
When I went, I was almost alone in the museum and had the elusive Brussels sun shone, I would have lingered to enjoy the medieval herb garden in the courtyard. Even with the rain, it was a great experience.
The entrance ticket also grants you entry to the nearby Béguinage, which is definitely worth a visit. I took advantage of being in Anderlecht to have a look around the area and there are some interesting old streets and traditional brown bars.
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I haven't yet been able to identify all the villages/churches marked on the small stone wall but I'm sure I will at some point!
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The Perché rooftop bar is on top of the JAM hotel, which is why not many people wander up here, but it's so worth it! It has a great view and comfy chairs.
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With a cozy interior and a pleasant scent of toasted coffee beans, Caleo offers different options for brunch, from viennoiseries to delicious pancakes.
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If you come with a group, I suggest taking the “Moriawase” (Japanese for “assortment”), a larger plate that is easier to share and to try different things.
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With an extravagant vintage decore, the bar takes its name from Queen Fabiola, a Spanish noblewoman who was a very beloved Queen consort of the Belgians.
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The name Nenu comes from the Vietnamese concept of “an nhau”, a style of drinking and eating culture, sharing small and large plates with friends & family.
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The stars of the menu are the homemade fluffy pancakes - an explosion of flavors, which come in different flavors, including a tiramisu and matcha version.
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One bite and you will forget all about your next day’s meetings or other adult-life tasks. Crispy fries and fried chicken come as an extra...
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As a meat lover, I absolutely enjoyed the dishes based on Iberic pork, including the spare ribs and the Jiang Rou Bao, which literally melted in my mouth.
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Peaking at my neighbors' plates, I decided to try the bass with garlic oil, ginger, and furikake, and the tartare de boeuf with pepper mousse and pickles on the side.
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At Piola the specialty of the house is the “Siciliana o’ Cornicione” pizza, but it is only for the bravest: it comes with a ricotta cheese stuffed crust.
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Mexican dishes with popular central American influences. But be ready to share: the options are way too many (and delicious) to just get one dish.
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