Brussels Charm And Elegance

 Hotel de Ville In Brussels, Belgium

Brussels, Belgium, a city of charm and elegance is alive with color. Spring is in the air, with beautiful Japanese Cherry Trees in full bloom. The fragrance of the cherry blossoms fill the air. Brussels is the greenest capital in Europe, with its many gorgeous parks and gardens. There is nothing like the spectacular blue wild hyacinths. Color is everywhere, as the city is adorned with beautiful parks and gardens wherever you go. Whether you have stopped to admire a beautiful grey elegant building or a fabulous Royal Estate, you will bask in the delight of color. Explore the alleys, and even there, will be hanging pots of beautiful flowers.

The Hotel de Ville, or the Town Hall of Brussels is a magnificent Gothic building from the Middle Ages. You will find it on the famous and spectacular Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium. The oldest wing of this impressive architecture was completed in 1420. In 1444 a second wing was added. The impressive façade elaborately  adorned with numerous statues giving honor to nobles, saints, and other important citizens. Currently the statues that are on the building are replicas of the originals. The originals are safely across the Grand Place in the “Kings House,” the cities museum. Enjoy this magnificent Town Hall with its extraordinary inside and outside. It’s Gothic tower soars 315 feet into the air. 

The Hotel de Ville
Grand Place, 1000
Bruxelles, Belgium
+32 2 279 22 11 (Phone)
Open Wednesdays from 1 pm to 3 pm and Sundays from 10 Am till 4 Pm

The Grand Place or Grote Markt is the main square of Brussels, Belgium. It is a magnificent square surrounded by spectacular guildhalls and other 14th to 17th century buildings. At one end stands the magnificent Town Hall or The Hotel de Ville. It is also home to the spring and fall flower carpet. More than 700,000 thousand cut begonias are used to make this amazing carpet of flowers.

The Grand Place
1000 Brussels, Belgium
2 279 22 11 (Phone)
Open daily from 9 Am till 8 Pm. 

The Kings House or The Museum of Brussels City is an amazing museum of the history of Brussels. Here you will see the living history of the Grand Place or Grote Markt and all the many buildings surrounding Brussels main city square. Sometimes this spectacular museum is called “The Bread House” in Dutch. On the first floor you will be able to see many reconstructions of the city in the different stages of growth as it evolved through the Middle Ages. On the upper floors you can meet with some of the cities oldest citizens. Here is where you will find the original statutes from the Town Hall. If you love history, you will not want to miss this delightful museum.

The Museum of Brussels City
Maison du Roi
Grand Place
1000 BrusselsOpen Tuesday – Sunday from 10am till 5pm.
Admission is just 3 Euro.

 Eating Out At McDonalds

Whether you desire a quick bite of lunch at McDonald’s or a luxurious restaurant, you will find it in Brussels, Belgium. Throughout the region, McDonald’s is there to serve you. No matter whether you are in Germany, The Netherlands, or Belgium, the world’s favorite fast food restaurant is there.

One of the exciting events in Brussels is eating some of the best food in Europe. Much of the cooking of Belgium has a mix of French and Italian influence. Here you will find unique and delicious breakfasts. There is nothing like a Belgium waffle. Unique and delicious lunches and extraordinary dinners are everywhere.

Comme Chez Soi is one of the most extraordinary restaurants in Brussels. These first class chefs pride themselves on providing the best French cuisine outside of France. Everything is presented in true French style. The food is superb and the service is outstanding. The decor is a delightful rustic French country. Truly an amazing place to have that special dinner.

Comme Chez Soi
Place Rouppe 23
Brussels 1000, Belgium
+32 2 512 29 21 (Phone)

The restaurant is open the following days and times.
Tuesday – Wednesday
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday-Saturday
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 

 La Maison du Cygne has for years been the place to go in Brussels. The restaurant is in the Butchers Guild overlooking the magnificent Grand Place or the Grote Markt. This restaurant is in a 17th Century building. There are beautiful oil paintings throughout.  Here you will find refined 19th Century elegance. The food is Classic French Cuisine and is served in spectacular French style. Brasserie L’Ommegang is another Quality restaurant that occupies the first floor. The food is good, but it is less expensive. the cuisine is classic Belgium. The Brasserie L’Ommegang has a patio which faces the Grand Place.

La Maison du Cygne
Grand Place 9
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
+3225118244(Phone) 

La Maison du cygne is open:
12 noon till 2 pm and 7 pm till 10 pm….. Monday through Friday.
7 pm till 10 pm Saturday
Closed on Sunday

Brasserie L’Ommegang
Grand Place 9
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
+3225118244 (Phone)The Brasserie L’Ommegang is open daily from 12 noon till 10:30 pm. 

Restaurant Vincent is a delightful Belgium icon. Restaurant Vincent specialises in the best of classic traditional Belgian cuisine. Founded in 1905, Its focus is on spectacular seafood and hearty steaks. Delicious hearty food without all the fluff in a marine themed environment.

Restaurant Vincent
Rue des Dominicains 8-10
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
32 2 511 26 07 (Phone)
The Restaurant Vincent is open daily from 12 Noon till 3 pm and 6:30 pm till 11:00 pm. Outdoor seating is available on request. 

The Belga Queen is chic and impressive. It is located in a former bank building and the sign of elegance is everywhere. A stained glass ceiling that is amazing, is the first thing that catches your eye. The lounge has all leather arm-chairs, and the restaurant is luxurious. The traditional Belgium food is some of the best in the city.

Belga Queen
Wolvengracht 32
1000 Brussel, Belgium
+3222172187 (Phone)

The Belga Queen is open Monday through Thursday  from 12 Noon till 2:30 pm and [6:30] to 11 pm. Fridays it is open from 12 Noon till 2:30 pm and [6:30] till 12 Midnight. Saturdays it is open from 6:30 pm till [12:00] Midnight. Sundays are closed. 

 Elegant 14th century buildings

The elegant Gothic galleries are everywhere amide these spectacular 14th Century Buildings. Close by is the famous Butcher Street. It comes by its name from all the butchers who once had shops in the area. It is now filled with meat and seafood restaurants.  From one end to the other you will find quality and unique restaurants. Now the area is very tourist orientated and usually is quite a busy place.

A short distance to the northwest of the Grand Place is the Brussels Stock Exchange. This beautiful and famous building was built-in 1873 and is a magnificent neoclassical architectural building. Certainly you will not want to miss this 19th Century treat. Active trading still takes place here and the interior is closed to the public. 

Brussels Stock Exchange
La Bourse
Palais de la Bourse
1000 BrusselsNortheast of the Grand Place are the extraordinary 

Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert. These French inspired galleries are made up of the Queen’s Gallery, the King’s Gallery, and the Prince’s Gallery. These and other galleries flock the street known as Butcher Street. Here you will also find some of the most lavish shopping arcades in all of Europe. These spectacular mini shopping malls were established in 1844. This amazing area of arcades was developed by King Leopold I. 

 Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert
Galerie du Roi 5
1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
+3225450990(Phone)

Here you will discover unique posh boutiques selling elegant clothes, French and Belgium classical music, extraordinary antique shops, and candy shops galore. Each small candy shop specializes in Belgium Chocolate. Intermingled among all these shops are numerous sidewalk cafes and speciality restaurants.A short distance north of the Brussels Stock Exchange is the Royal Theater of the Mint. This classic theater now serves as the Opera House for the City of Brussels. Cultural ballets are also held in the theater.

Royal Theater of the Mint
Place de la Monnaie
Muntplein 23,
Brussels B-1000

The Royal Theater of the Mint is also the entrance to the most populated shopping area in Brussels. Rue Neuve or New Street is a favorite with locals and tourists alike. Here you will find small quaint shops as you discover the many alleys in the area. To the east you will discover a side street which leads to the famous Martyrs’ Square or the Place des the Martyrs.

 Belgium Chocolate

Belgium Chocolate is loved through out the world. If you are looking for that special treat, one of the best kept secrets is the Neuhaus Chocolate Outlet . In this amazing chocolate factory you will be able to purchase just about every variety of chocolate you can imagine. You can even purchase  pralines by the box at special low prices.

Neuhaus Chocolate Outlet
Postweg 2
1602 Sint-Pieters-Leeuw
Belgium
+32 2 568 22 11 (Phone)

Neuhaus Chocolate Outlet is open Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm. 

Godiva is another major chocolate factory outlet. At Godiva’s the specials change from one day to the next. They also have several special treats that are hard to find elsewhere. Godiva has been in business for over 90 years, with outlets all over the world. Nothing is more Belgium than Godiva.

Godiva
Grote Markt 21
1000 Brussel
Belgium
32 2 511 25 37 (Phone)

Godiva is open seven days a week from 11 am till 10 pm.Godiva often shares some of their special recipes with the world. One favorite recipe that they are well known for is Goats Cheese and Apricot Tarts with Chocolate and Almonds. It is a tangy goat cheese paired with sweet chocolate. Perfect for brunch. 

Ingredients

1/2 pkg (17 oz pkg) frozen butter puff pastry, thawed and cold
6 oz goat cheese, softened
2 tbsp honey
6 fresh apricots, pitted and sliced
1 pkg (1.6 oz/45 g) Godiva 4 pc. Gold Favor – Truffles
2 tsp 35% whipping cream
3 tbsp toasted sliced almonds

Directions

1. Roll out pastry sheet into 10-inch square; cut into six 5 x 3 inch rectangles and place on parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Prick all over with a fork.
2. Mix goat cheese with honey; crumble evenly over pastry. Top with apricots, leaving 1/2-inch border all around. Bake in 400°F oven for about 25 minutes or until edges of pastry are puffed and golden brown.
3. In heatproof bowl set over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt truffles with whipping cream, stirring occasionally, until smooth; working quickly, use a fork to drizzle over tarts. Sprinkle with almonds. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes or until set.
Recipe Tip: Use peaches or plums when apricots are not in season. 

Another favorite from around the world is the Chocolate-Dipped Holiday Pears. Wrap these finished pears in colored cellophane and they will delight any hostess. They also make for a stunning centerpiece.

Ingredients 

 1 bar (3.5 oz/100 g) Godiva 72% Dark Chocolate Bar, chopped
6  Godiva Dark Chocolate Truffles
4 biscuits-and-cookies Godiva Biscuits, Milk Chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup finely chopped toasted pistachios
8 small Forelle pears, washed and dried well

Directions

1. Line baking sheet with waxed paper; set aside. In heat proof bowl set over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt chopped chocolate with truffles, stirring occasionally, until smooth; keep warm.
2. In small bowl, combine chopped cookies with pistachios; set aside.
3. Holding pear by stem, dip bottom two-thirds of pear into melted chocolate, leaving top third uncoated. Allow excess chocolate to drip back in bowl.
4. Sprinkle bottom third of chocolate-coated area with pistachio mixture until evenly coated; place on prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until chocolate is hardened. Recipe Tip: If desired, insert skewer into top of pear for dipping. 

 

Both recipes were taken from the Godiva website. Be sure and visit their website for many more recipes that they have shared over the years. http://www.godiva.com/experience-godiva/recipeArticleListing.html

Connoisseurs of quality teas have not been forgotten in the Grand Place. Brussels has many quality tea shops throughout the city. Here you can find over 100 unique varieties of some of the finest Belgium tea. You will discover black, white, green and herbal teas from around the world. Some of the most imaginable flavours of tea will tempt your taste buds. There are many small tea shops that you will discover throughout the city. Here are some of the local favorites in the area of the Grand Place. These succulent teas are  perfect for those who desire a tea adventure. 

Rue Brodenbroek
In front of the Sablon’s Church

Rue de Rollebeek
Down the Grand Sablon square

Place de la Vieille Halle Aux Bles
Between the Grand Sablon and Grand Place

Belgium is one of the most unusual countries in Europe. Brussels is a city worth exploring. Take time out to plan a your Brussels adventure today. You will discover amazing architecture, fantastic shopping, delicious food, fantastic chocolate, and quality tea. 

ExploreTraveler has been creating travel articles, books, videos, and podcasts for several years now. It is our intention to bring our older material for others here to enjoy here on Steemit, and to create new material here as well. We invite you to click on our links to the original content, and to also follow us there as well.  This post was originally posted on May 22, 2016 at: 

https://exploretraveler.com/brussels-charm-and-elegance/

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