flygirl

Hi all I am heading to Belgium for 6 nights over the Thanksgiving hols. I will be in Bruges for 4 nights and Brussels for two nights. Day trips to Ghent, Ieper and probably Antwerp, time permitting. I know that beer and chocolate are must-haves (not at the same time, presumably). I also will have moules and frites of course. Any other delicacies? I'm not hugely into seafood but I like what I like (and I like moules!). Of the above categories and locations, what are the "must seek out" places - whether it be a specific brewery, store, or restaurant? I've had a number of different Belgian beers so I would like to seek out those which I won't easily find outside of Belgium. I like Chimay, Leffe, and Lambics if that gives anyone reading this an idea of what I do like. Historical breweries/interesting tours would be a bonus regardless of world-wide reknown. For chocolate - those less easily found in the US would be good to know. I have had Leonidas, for instance. Most chocolate is good chocolate (milk chocolate and Hersheys notwithstanding - blech) so I am easy to please there. I'll bring home chocolates as gifts, too. Many thanks. I hope this thread takes off and is helpful to others who are looking for good things to eat in Belgium!

This got some strong opinions when polled on my facebook page. I figure foodies would know!

Here is what I made today: http://52mealsinoneyear.blogspot.com/2009/09/tasty-tarragon-heavy-cream-and-white.html

http://www.thelistareyouonit.com/edible-economizing I thought this looked helpful!

That cobbler is calling my name...

Extended through November 1... click.

Hi Another tidbit about Forno Italian Oven and Grill: The Original Steakhouse is a local chain (3 in VA, 2 in MD). But the prime rib was divine. Thai - I haven't been to all of them, but Burapa Thai is really good. For Indian, I really like Mirchi, which incidentally is very close to Anita's - a local Mexican chain - i.e. not nationwide that I'm aware of but several VA locations. Don't forget the American Flatbread reco above. In that same plaza is another Thai place, Anothai, which is also good and will deliver (no idea if Burapa will, I'm just a tad too far away even if it did). Burapa's Tom Kha Gai is better than Anothai's TKG.

I thought this might be of interest! http://globespotters.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/a-a-museum-devoted-to-a-national-snack-obsession/

Where is the Saloon? I see a pilgrimage in my future...

Just heard this was opening. Very nice. I hope they don't decide to close the Ashburn location. Still can't believe they put it out in Ashburn - at a dead-end plaza, too.

Hi Thank you everyone! We went back and forth (decision by committee) and decided to make it another Sunday dealio, at Bazin's. Thank you for the good recos, will try another time.

Hi all A group of 12 of us plan to have a Saturday lunch soon, after which we are going to a wine tasting in Vienna. We'd like to go back to Bazin's but they do not have Saturday lunch. Any other likely options for a nice (not spendy, but nice) sit down meal for 12 for lunch? By nice I mean "not Vienna Inn, but not chez Francois either". Thanks. We were considering Evo Bistro but that's in Mclean and there may be dropouts for the wine tasting in Vienna afterwards (almost Oakton actually). edit: EVO is also closed for Saturday lunch. Drat.

Hi Any recent reports?

Hi Has anyone eaten here - how is the food, the noise levels, the prices? I'm thinking of a lunch with friends, maybe 10 people, and we'd like to be able to converse at the table easily. thank you!

A few restaurants I visited last week with my Dad. Prices are for two people. Dinner one night: Restaurant Perraudin, near the Pantheon: 3-course prix fixe. 60E plus tip. I am dreaming about the Saucisson de Lyon avec la moutarde. Mit de Kartoffeln of course (ok, the menu wasn't in German). No wine for this meal. Lunch: A resto not too far from Carrefour de l'Odeon, Seraphin Tea Room? (will have to look at map). Roughly 40E plus tip. No wine for this meal. Dinner another night: Le Petit Pontoise on the left bank not far from Notre Dame. 115E plus tip. A la carte. Kir Royales to start, then three courses, then espresso. URF. Gerard Mulot Patisserie, as we were wandering. Not far from St. Sulpice church. Heavenly chocolate, pastries, macarons... Dinner one night: Le Petit Prince de Paris for 29E plus tip. Dad was full from an earlier crepe so he had just a salad. I had an entree and plat and we had a carafe of Bordeaux, all for 29E.

I will hope to add this to the list in mid-June...

Well, if anyone had selected Ray's Hellburger as the 20DT, you would have met Obama last night...

No recent 20DTs?

I'll be watching the thread and if it is June 21 or 28 I will be there - the other dates will find me on vacation - taking my Dad to Normandy!

I am forwarding a snippet from a friend's email, if ye foodie gods could help me/him... I should mention my friend is a foodie himself... PS I am sure anything in walking distance is just fine... doesn't have to be NEAR the White House. *************** I'm looking for $12-$20 a plate, not including wine/booze -- thoughts? Open to all cuisines, with a nod towards Continental Euro. I wanted to do Beck with them, but I'd like to keep the cost down. Thoughts?

We had a group of 15 last Sunday for brunch. I had the maple glazed chilean sea bass and the wasabi mashed potatoes... wonderful.

Hi everyone I went here today for the first time with a friend of mine. I had never even heard of it! It is on Catoctin Circle and they brew their beer on site. In fact, you can only get their own beer there. They also have a decent sized wine list and I had a Cab from Washington - "14 Hands". The wine was love at first sip. Very smooth and I went to Wegmans afterwards in search of it (not successful, they do not carry it but the "sommelier" mentioned perhaps Total Wine may. (what would you call the wine clerks there? "Clerk" doesn't sound quite right because I'm betting they are quite educated in wines...) My meal was a lobster/brie grilled cheese sandwich (with pesto spread inside, I believe it was) and a side of roasted tomato soup (also waffle fries). My total bill incl tax and tip was 26 bucks. My friend had their curry chicken salad (grapes, cashews, and a few other items tucked inside) and roasted tomato soup and iced tea. Her bill was perhaps 5 less than mine with tax/ tip. I tasted her chicken salad and it was so good that I wished I had gotten that instead. The lobster grilled brie sandwich was interesting but not stupendous (I think it could have done without the pesto perhaps?). I would definitely go back here, no question.

ps. Don, Bazin sounds GREAT - not sure if the price would work for each person coming, but, I think it looks fabulous and I'll have to check it out myself!

Hi everyone I'm arranging a GTG for my travel group. I'm trying to find something non-chainy with good food that would be able to seat about ten of us. Moderately priced would be nice - if we could get out of there for under 35 bucks a person including drinks and tips I think that would work out. I'm thinking Vienna, Oakton, Reston, maybe Great Falls or McLean, maybe Fairfax? I live in Ashburn and two members live in Oakton, one in Reston, and the rest in Maryland so I'm trying to make the location user-friendly. Thanks!