TRAVEL — Lauren Mossberg

Fri Dec 22

I arrived by train, grabbed a taxi to my hotel (Moxy Brussels City Center, a Marriott hotel), and took a nice hot shower. Then I walked to Le Chou de Bruxelles for dinner. I asked my waiter for a beer recommendation because I know nothing about Belgian beer, then I ordered the “au vert” mussels, with garlic, herbs, and white wine.

Sat Dec 23

I took my time getting out of bed, made a coffee in the room, then headed out for the morning. It was gray, but not too cold, and very windy. I walked by all of the designer stores on my way to Palais de Justice and The View, a giant ferris wheel. I continued on to the Square of Petit Sablon, the Church of Our Lady of Victories, and the Royal Palace of Brussels. Then I walked through the park to My Little Cup for coffee and a cinnamon bun. I grabbed a Lime scooter to the Parc du Cinquantenaire. I wanted to see the Triumphal Arch. I could have easily done the walk, but the scooter was fun and only a couple dollars. I grabbed another scooter in the park and headed towards Maison Antoine for fries. I ordered a small fry with curry ketchup. Yum!

After a quick pit stop back at the Moxy, I headed towards Fontainasplein, where there were some holiday decorations, and the Het Zinneke statue. Place Saint Catherine was full of holiday market vendors and a big carousel. I got a Belgian waffle at one stand. It was hot off the waffle iron, so yummy. And I got a Belgian beer from a different stand.

I walked towards the Brussels Stock Exchange building where I knew there were more market vendors. You can actually go inside the building. I also went into Chocolaterie Mary and bought a couple pieces to try. Then I continued on to Town Hall and La Grand Place.

I could tell when I was near Manneken Pis because there was a crowd of people with their phones out. I considered sitting down at Poechenellekelder, but I really didn’t want another beer. Instead, I walked back to the hotel to relax.

I didn’t feel like walking too far for dinner so I went to Koku Ramen and it was delicious.

Sun Dec 24

I walked through Mont des Arts to the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert with Neuhaus and Pierre Marcolini chocolate shops. I popped into Neuhaus for some chocolates.

I walked down an alley to see Jeanneke-Pis before passing Aux Merveilleux de Fred and admiring the cakes. I looked at the line outside Friterie Tabora and decided against it. Instead, I walked back towards Saint Catherine for a fire roasted salmon sandwich from a Christmas market vendor.

I walked through Pl. De Brouckère with its carousel to St Michael and St Gudula Cathedral. There were Christmas nativity scenes from countries all over the world.

I had booked myself a Christmas Eve dinner at Rotisse at the Marriott. The prefix dinner tasted great, but I’d say there were a few hiccups. Perhaps I was feeling a bit frisky, but I can’t help it. I never received the welcome cocktail until I asked for it, my fish had a handful of pin-bones in it, my lamb was extremely rare, and the ambiance was lessened by a few crying babies. Nevertheless, everything ‘tasted’ great. And I was happy I treated myself on Christmas Eve.

Mon Dec 25

I woke up craving a waffle. I wanted to go to Maison Dandoy, but the two locations I tried were both closed. I should’ve anticipated that given it was Christmas Day. So I sat down at Aksum instead, inside the Saint Hubert galleries, with a latte and a speculoos waffle. It was really good.

Normally my Christmas Day includes a prime rib with my mom, so I figured a good burger was a close second. I went to Manhattn's Burgers for a burger and fries.

After eating, I popped into the Christmas Fairies activation just off and above the Grand Place.

View from Christmas Fairies of La Grand-Place

Tues Dec 26

Blue skies on my last morning in Brussels! How exciting. I grabbed a Lime scooter and headed towards Autoworld.

Fernando Alonso’s 2008 Renault from the Belgium Grand Prix

Then I scootered to Wolf Sharing Food Market. I was very hungry by this point, so I got a poke bowl. Then I wandered by Maison Dandoy Grand Palace and bought a speculoos cookie. So good!

Before dinner, I stopped into Delirium Taphouse for a beer. It was a little overwhelming inside. They have thousands (apparently) of beers on tap. Then I sat down for dinner at Aux Armes de Bruxelles. I’m happy I made a reservation because the host turned away a table for two right ahead of me. The food was delicious; my last mussels in Brussels.