Brussels | Eats

I've had busy couple of weeks after flying to Porto for a wedding last weekend and Brussels before that. I haven't had the time to post, but all this travelling means that I have a nice backlog of posts! I've finally gotten around to posting more of my Brussels trip which will hopefully give you a little idea of places to visit when you get over there! Below are a couple of my favourite spots for lunch. 

Le Perroquet:

This was a great find. A menu full with different fillings for pitta breads. Simples. We went for a chicken and a beef one. Both were delicious and came with a selection of sauces. The space is interesting too - a great example of art deco, a chequer board floor and pink marble tables. 

Rue Watteeu 31, 1000 Brussels.

Gaudron:

Gaudron has become my favourite Brussels brunch place, admittedly for the clean and minimal interior with its creamy white tiles, caramel coloured booths and raspberry pink floor, oh and of course the pastry counter...It's a little further out from the centre, but that's what makes it even better - there are no tourists, only locals. Apparently we were sat next to a famous Belgium actor. We had the eggs benedict and chicken burger, which we washed down with the house lemonade. Do you have any favourite places in Brussels? 

3 Place G.Brugmann, 1050 Brussels.

Brussels: La Cambre Abbey

I've said it before, but I'm going to say it again: Brussels is one underrated city. Before I moved to Paris, it wasn't on my radar, let alone a must-go destination. But it's quickly become one of my favourite cities in Europe. Here's the first of a few posts from my weekend there that will hopefully give you a little glimpse as to why you should go (no this post was not sponsored by Brussels tourism office, in case you were wondering.) 

Since I've been to Brussels a few times already (see my previous post) we decided to check out a place that's a little off the beaten tourist track, La Cambre Abbey. It's a beautiful building dating from the 18th century that was founded in medieval times. When we turned up there was a wedding party happening in the grounds - it certainly offers a charming backdrop for photos, cue photo-bombing (it crossed my mind), and when we walked into the church, a choir was rehearsing for a wedding service. I had a bit of competition while I was trying to take photos - a wedding photographer was prowling around setting up shots with two cameras in holsters. Think he fancied himself a bit of an Indiana Jones. But the place pretty, calm and it's a short walk from Cafe de la Presse that does good coffee and cake, at half the price of Paris. 

Boot Café

I ventured into the pint-sized (or should I say shoe-sized) Boot Café a few weeks ago with the lovely Carin. It's housed inside a former cobbler's, hence the name. As Paris' smallest cafe, it is petit but perfectly formed, with three tiny tables, a little bar for tempting sweet treats and a wall of shelves displaying fashion magazines (one of the owners works in the industry). We popped in for coffee (they serve Belleville) and cake one saturday to escape the rain. 

What it lacks in size, it makes up for in style. There are little green geometric stools, white tiles, posters and art covering one wall, old wooden floors, plants and a pretty blue front. I also love the little wooden crate filled with coconuts (they serve coconut juice - not your usual offering in Paris!) But the best thing? It's just a short walk from my studio. 

What's your favourite cafe in Paris? 

Boot Café 

19 Rue du Pont aux Choux

Paris, 75003

Month of May

The month of May was a little crazy to say the least. I turned one year older, I settled into my new studio, my mum came to visit - which involved some serious sightseeing around Paris (some in the torrential rain) and one too many ice creams - I took on more freelance work, which included interviewing Paris interior design darling Dorothee Meilichzon for the Eurostar's Metropolitan magazine (she designed the decor for Cafe Pinson, Beef Club, Hotel Paradis and Prescription Cocktail Club among others), a good friend from London visited me and I generally ran around like a headless chicken. Who needs the gym when you can burn off calories pounding the Parisian streets?! 

So on Sunday over a nice cup of tea, as we Brits like to do, I sat down (in between a brunch with a lovely group of girls and a bbq) to go over a few of my favourite images from my Instagram feed that I had taken during said crazy month. I printed them out with Polagram, a brilliant app that allows you to print your Instagram photos from your phone. I'm a big believer in the tangible - I like books over the kindle, I love receiving cards (now you know the way to my heart) and I collect magazines. I like to hold things in my hand. So after so many months uploading images into the online world, it's great to be able to print out the physical versions. I think this might become a monthly ritual. 

Le Marché des Enfants Rouges

I love living in le Marais as I'm right around the corner from so many lovely places and le Marché des Enfants Rouges is one of them. It's the oldest undercover market in Paris, dating back to the 1600s. Besides the staple market finds (flowers, fruit, veg, fish, bread, cheese) there are also a plethora of stalls serving up all kinds of street food. My favourite is the moroccan, where you can pick up a terracotta plate of lamb tagine for €10. I had a friend visiting on Friday from London so we popped in for lunch and ordered said tagine. After we wandered around oogling the rich colours of the fruit and veg.