Da capo of last weekend and even warmer, when the temperature went over 25, it is like summer. From time to time, I take the walk down to Flagey and the Ixelles ponds. On Saturdays and Sundays, before 13 there is a lovely food market on the square, otherwise the place is quite ugly to look at. In one of the corners you will find Café Belga another well-known bar/café here in Brussels. This place is always busy and has a decent range of Belgian beers (just so you know).
Café Belga
It is quite big and you can sit outside as well and look at the ponds. Nearby you find the famous Frit Flagey, if you are into that type of food. This art deco café is housed in the old radio building, now a cinema/concert hall for jazz and classical music but also a meeting point for artist and musicans. You need to order at the bar because they are mostly understaffed and it takes some time to get served at the table (it is a big place). I haven’t eaten there, but the food looks quite ok. A sunny weekend will quickly fill the outdoor seating’s.
Behind the Ixelles ponds you will find the old Abbey of La Cambre. It is a former cicterian abbey and it now holds La Cambre, a prestigious visual arts school and the Belgian National Geographic Institute. The abbey church is a catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Malines-Brussels.
The Abbey of La Cambre
The terraced garden has formal clipped bosquets (meaning at least five identical trees in a row, I couldn’t do this blog without Google). The surroundings are perfect for a little picnic on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Yes, I have some beers left on the list, so let’s try the Ciney Blond 7%, brewed by Alken-Maes (Heineken).
Ciney Blonde
This beer is quite common here in Belgium. It is top-fermented volume produced ale, with quite a spicy taste, slightly bitter and with a sweet after taste. A decent beer I would say, but far from the top, but OK.
Coming weeks:
- Mural walk continues
- EU continued
- In search for the best beer (an on-going quest for the perfect pint)
- More seafood
- Cheese
- Parks
- Culture
- Markets
- Politics
Facts of the week;
Drink; Ciney Blond, 7%
Location; Café Belga at Place Flagey
Point Of Interest; the Abbey of La Cambre near the Ixelles ponds
