So it is summer time and the tourists are invading the European capital. Grand Place and all the other famous sight are so crowded. This is also the time of year for festivals. That is the case for Brussels as well. If you are in town next week, the Brussels Film Festival starts and goes on until the 29th .
Film festival at Flagey
Music Festival at Flagey
There is also a large free outdoor concert, right in front of the Royal Palace, with a lot of well-known Belgian and French artists on Tuesday night June 21st
Sometimes you stumbled over something quite extraordinary, a hidden jewel in the big city. Concealed behind a huge wall and with large old trees looming behind it, the Jean-Félix Hap Park may very well be one of the best kept secrets of Etterbeek.
Secret park?
It is a special, quite small park but very beautiful. It was originally a family mansion and donated to the commune some 25 years ago. The garden today retains its peaceful quiet picturesque charm and is very inviting to visitors.
Old trees, bushes and a small pond, further away you can see a small pavilion. Perfect for your lunch break.
Jean-Félix Hap Park
This week I tested a nice but slightly upmarket restaurant downtown close to Grand Place (just around the corner from Chez Leon).
Rest. Vincent
Vincent (rue de Dominicains 10-12) is famous for their steaks, you walk through the kitchen before you get to your table.
Try the tournedos with Roquefort sauce, delicious. Their moules are also suppose to be quite good.
Beer, why not another Trappist this time from the Achel brewery or Brouwerij der Sint-Benedictusabdij de Achelse Kluis is one of the smallest of the seven approved Trappist breweries. It is located in the small Belgian town of Achel.
Achel Bruin
They brew 5 different ones and I tested Achel Bruin 8%. This has a lot of carbonation, bottle conditioned as many others and you will find yeast at the bottom. It is a little bit on the sweet side (roasted malt and brown sugar), although not rated in the top, it is still a very good beer, which I enjoyed.
Coming weeks:
- 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; Achel Bruin 8%.
Location; Vincent (rue de Dominicains 10-12)
Point of Interest: Jean-Félix Hap Park
Food: Tournedos with Roquefort sauce
