Waffles, Flea Market, and 46 Beers on Tap

We arrived safely in Brussels, and had no problem finding our hostel. When we got there, Kevin (Yost’s friend from his program) was already there waiting for us, and we got settled in to our 14 person room called the “White Room.”

Anxious to get out and explore, we pretty much just dropped our stuff and headed out with a map from the front desk. We walked around, grabbed a beer at this area with a bunch of little bars and chairs where people were sitting outside. From there, we heard that there was a place with 46 beers on tap…so we just so happened to stumble upon that as well.

It was pretty empty, and we weren’t exactly sure if we were in the right place because if you have 46 beers on tap, you should be packed 24/7. In any event, this was the place. The staff were amazingly helpful: they asked what you wanted in a beer (wheat, blond, dark, heavy, mild, strong…etc.) and gave you some suggestions. It was a lot of fun. I tried a local, traditional beer called “Lambic Cantillon,” which is made by fermentation in the air rather than in barrels (or something like that), which makes it sour. It was interesting, to say the least, but I’m glad I tried it. Yost had a beer that, “Tastes like beef jerky.”

While we were there, I took it upon myself to do what I always do, and ask for suggestions of favorite local spots at which to eat. The guy thought about it for a while, and suggested “Restobiere.” So, off we went for some dinner.

This place was pretty inconspicuous, but we found it, and when we told them that we didn’t have reservations, we were put upstairs. We thought that would have been a bad thing, but it was a little private room with tons of antique boxes, tins, pictures, and only two other tables of people there. We were immediately greeted with a famous local cherry beer and some bread. Not a bad start…

We looked at the menu and were able to decipher a bit of it, until she brought out the English menu for us. Then we were set to go. Each of us chose to do the three-course menu.

Josh – Warm Goat Cheese Salad, Brussels Pudding, Belgian Waffle
Yost – Pate, Beef Stew, Belgian Waffle
Kevin – Ham and melon, Worst, Belgian Waffle

Most of the dishes were made with beer in them somehow, and the food was absolutely phenomenal. The waffles, especially, were just so light and airy that you don’t feel like you are about to die after you eat one. After that, we called it a night and headed to bed.

The next morning, we woke up early and made our way over to the famous flea market. There were tons of old trinkets, from coins to clothes to keys to…well…really anything you could find at a flea market, and Kevin ended up walking away with a Stella glass for €0.50.

The three of us found a cool sandwich shop on one of the side streets around the market. When we walked it, he asked us what we wanted (in French, or Dutch…) and we just looked confused. He said, “Eggs and Bacon?” And we all said, “Yes!” So, he made up some eggs and a few strips of bacon, put them on a ciabatta, and handed them our way. A delicious impromptu breakfast for €2.6.

We packed up our things from the hostel and then made our way to the historic square as our last stop in Brussels. It was gorgeous. The buildings were tall, gothic and really magnificent. We grabbed some fresh made waffles, sat on a stoop, and watched the square buzz with tourists and a wedding. Off to the train station, and off to Amsterdam.