Villa Empain

I discovered Villa Empain during a photo shoot with my friend, Laurent, on a cold November day. 

It is difficult to put into words the beauty of this place. The Art Deco jewel is owned by the Boghossian Foundation, belonging to a Lebanese family with Armenian roots. It hosts amazing exhibitions, concerts and conferences. 

An oval pool in the rear seems to have a decorative role. But my favourite element in the whole building is a former bathroom on the first floor, covered in mosaic of different shades of green and turquoise. 

Address: avenue Franklin Roosevelt 67

COS

I am not a shopaholic. But I have to hand it to COS: it represents a unique combination of minimalism and elegance. Everything at an affordable price.

Even better than the clothes are the accessories (in my humble opinion): shoes, jewelry, lingerie. 

I had a very interesting discussion about clothes with an artist friend. She reckoned that COS were a brand for right-wing people, self-centered, snobbish. I was quite dumbfounded by her statement, since I would certainly not consider myself right-wing. "Disenchanted with politics", someone used to call me. 

Do you think that clothes reflect someone's political beliefs? Feel free to leave a comment below...

Address: 32 avenue Louise. 

Chez Franz

I couldn't stand Chez Franz the first time I went there. I did not feel at ease there, maybe because despite its modest appearance, it seemed to be a favoured meeting place for high-brow ucclois.   

But I changed my opinion. It's a bar for everyone: students, kids, old guys, writers, ladies of ages impossible to guess, daydreamers...  

The cuisine doesn't look bad either. I like the tiles on the floor and the wooden window frames. I would call it typically Belgian, without being too shabby. 

The nicest thing about it is that if you ask the bartender for limes for the caipirinha you want to prepare at home, he won't say no...

Address:
30 av. du Haut Pont, 1050 Brussels

Le Rouge Cloître

I have already published this already, but it sounded so dry and I didn't think it reflected the magic of this place. 

The Red Cloister and its domain are breathtaking in any season, but my favourite is autumn.  I like the shadows cast by the slim trees over the path. The squirrels who don't shy away from photographers. And the ice cream van, selling waffles with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. The deserted house, overgrown by weeds. And the grey wall, with dry ivy hanging on it. 

It's a lovely place for meditation and closeness to nature. For being in the moment, for losing oneself. 

Unfortunately quite crowded during the weekends. 

You may want to take a look at my photographic diary for further pics.

Address: 
Rue de Rouge Cloître 4
1160 Brussels

Roby Lakatos

Roby Lakatos prides himself on being the world's fastest fiddler. Gipsy of Hungarian origin, his music is one of a kind.

Ranging from classical, jazz, Klezmer to folk, his repertoire will most certainly give you goosebumps or even bring tears to your eyes. For me, Roby's music is one of the only things capable of seizing me from my daydreaming and bringing me in the very moment. 

Here some samples of the virtuoso's talent.

You can see him perform at Marché aux Vins (rue du Belvedere 14, near place Flagey) on most Fridays and Saturdays and sometimes at Archiduc. 

Lord Byron

Lord Byron (Art Café) is the perfect venue for meeting your friends in the centre of Brussels. 

Its name is apparently due to the fact that the owner resembles the famous Romantic poet.

The place is not vast, but cozy and charming. The light is dim and the music discreet, so you can actually hear what the others are saying. 

The owner is there almost all the time, with his grey hair and melancholy eyes. He genuinely seems to come from a remote place and time. 

Address:

8 Rue des Chartreux

1000 Brussels

Le Corto

Le Corto is a student bar/ café near ULB and the Ixelles cemetery. Its slightly kitsch, but cozy interior is inspired by the world of the comics, i.e. Corto Maltese.

Drinks are original and at a reasonable price. You can enjoy for example a submarine, a shot of strong drink (possibly rum) immersed in a bigger glass of beer. Or a delicious kir, a mix of white wine and cassis syrup. 

The bar has kept its appearance since the eighties. On Saturdays, it can be booked for private events.

Take a look at their site, it's unique...

Address: 
Chaussée de Boondael 485
1050 Brussels

The ugliest place in the world

I just hope I won't be sued for this article...

Place Keym in Watermael-Boitsfort. I don't know what the architects were thinking. It's a horrendous agglomeration of Communist -looking apartment buildings and some desolate trees. Mostly frequented by sad old people and noisy children. An apotheosis of kitsch. 

I didn't even bother to take some pictures with my camera, I just downloaded some stock pictures so you know why it's best to avoid this place:-)

Feel free to give me counter-arguments if you dare (in the comment section below).

Cheers. 

LUIS

I discovered Luis' mind-blowing massages a few years ago and I can say that they became addictive. 

They are by far the best massages I have ever experienced. Better even than the ayurvedic massages I was given in India.

Luis' massages are adapted to body type and specific problems. He calls his technique mind-body integrative. As far as I could tell, he stretches the fascia, that is the soft tissue surrounding the muscles throughout the body, thus releasing tensions and stress.

Don't make big plans after his massage though. You will need to take a nap, as his treatments have a strong detoxifying effect. 

P.S. This is not an ad. Luis became a good friend and I would like to share this privilege with you. 

You can find him at this address:

23, rue de Florence
1050 Brussels

Kafka oder Die Schuld ist immer zweifellos

"Guilt is always beyond doubt". Music sounds from an 80's cassette player. At a table, some young people are playing cards in the semi-darkness.

On the wall behind them, the first page of Kafka's "Metamorphosis" and a portrait of the famous writer from Prague are displayed. 

Drinks are cheap, nobody is trying to prove anything, nobody judges anybody. Mainly students. Probably aspiring artists among them. 

Ah yes, and they sometimes organise great concerts. I just realised I haven't set foot in there for a while:-)

Address:

21 rue des poissonniers
1000 Brussels

Le Marché des Tanneurs

Set in the former Palais du Vin, gorgeous Art Nouveau building from the late 19th-early 20th century, this market is a charming way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning shopping for organic groceries. You can combine this with a visit of the Marolles and the Sablon, both only a few steps away. 

The salespeople are patient and friendly. The market offers a wide range of fruit and vegetables, milk products, cereals and wines. For meat lovers, the offer is sparse though. 

The building also hosts Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, dealing with social reinsertion and encouraging local economies. 

Address:

Rue des Tanneurs, 58-62
1000 Brussels

CINEMATEK

Discovering Cinematek was one of the great epiphanies I had in Brussels.

Here, the avid cinephile can watch movies since the beginning of cinema, even silent ones, with a piano accompaniment. I shed many tears watching Lars von Trier's "Breaking the Waves", admired Anna Karina's beauty in "Vivre sa vie" or Greta Garbo's expressiveness in the memorable "Kiss". 

For only 3 euros you can enjoy an unforgettable experience.

For connoisseurs, here is a very insightful excerpt from "Vivre sa vie".

Address:
9 rue Baron Horta
1000 Brussels

Zanzibar- the nostalgia of the fifties

I discovered Zanzibar on a rainy day last year, after visiting a photo exhibit at the art) & (marges museum in the lovely Marolles.

If you want to have a healthy and frugal lunch, this is the perfect place. You can enjoy fresh sandwiches, quiches and some basic French and Italian dishes.

The special reason why I feel so well here is the interior reminding of the fifties. 

It is also very close to Place du Jeu de Balle, hosting the best flea market in town. 

Exact address: 316 rue Haute, 1000 Brussels. 

RECYCLART

The best party venue in town, in my humble opinion. 

It used to be a railway station (Bruxelles-Chapelle) and some visionary minds transformed it into an alternative arts centre for the promotion of non-mainstream artists and musicians. More about their mission here.  

They even have a low-priced canteen with original menus every week. And they organise concerts, photo exhibitions, workshops and lectures on architecture and graphic design. 

If you have five minutes to spare, please check out Anno Stamm, who rocked at this year's Holidays festival. 

The exact address is:
25, Rue des Ursulines
1000 Brussels

The Ixelles Cemetery

I admit, it may sound macabre, but I am a big fan of cemeteries.

I have already seen the sinuous Père Lachaise in Paris, with its tombs of Jim Morrison, Chopin and so many other geniuses. The one in Vienna is not bad either. 

As an "ixelloise", I could not leave the Ixelles cemetery unscrutinised. It's a very green cemetery, with tall poplars and pines and it seems to contain the tombs of many famous Belgians. A complete list here. 

As an anecdote, in my home country there is even a Merry Cemetery, worthwhile visiting. 

DELECTA

Another cute place in Ixelles, a few minutes away from Place Flagey.

Recently renovated, it surprises the visitor through its vintage interior années 60 and the matching music. 

The brunch attracts many young people during the weekends. 

My personal favourite is this time the geometrical wallpaper, to die for:-)

The exact address is: rue Lannoy 2.

https://plus.google.com/109271283453421820161/about?gl=be&hl=en

ABAO

Book shop and tea house, Abao is a hidden gem in lovely Watermael-Boitsfort.

It has an incredible choice of teas, hot chocolates and coffees from all over the world. When asking for the menu, you will be presented with a mini-encyclopaedia containing culinary explanations and anecdotes.
My personal favourites are the ice tea maison and the moelleux au chocolat.

Probably not your cup of tea if you don't like "la chanson française":-)

Official site:
http://www.abaobxl.be/info/spip.php?page=sommaire

Marché du Midi

One of the places where I love having breakfast on Sunday mornings under the noisy train tracks and the vociferation of the "bargainers" is the colourful Marché du Midi, right next to the Midi station.

Behind a stand full of spices, dried fruit and olives, a numerous family of Arab origins serves the most delicious pancakes in the world, filled with a sort of cottage cheese, olives, dried tomatoes and amber-coloured honey. On top of that, you can taste a sweet mint tea and you will be all smiles.

Open on Sundays from 6.00-13.30. 

SOLEIL D'AFRIQUE

Crazy Matongé...

If you are in the neighborhood or waiting for your movie to start at Cinema Vendôme or Toison d'Or, try this place. African cuisine, delicious peanut sauce, cocktails with funny names.

My personal favourites are the chicken wings, à ne pas manquer!

If you don't believe me, try this site:

http://bienmangerabruxelles.blogs.lalibre.be/archive/2012/11/02/au-soleil-d-afrique.html

They also have great music, remember this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6voHeEa3ig

OUPS

One thing hard to find in Brussels are really good soups. 

Coming from a country where soup is sacrosanct, I was ecstatic when I discovered this little jewel close to Place Flagey. They have warm and cold soups with exotic names and spices. They even bake their own bread every day!

The owner is a former advertising expert, perpetually smiling. 
For more info, please take your time and read this article.

Here is also the official website of this magical place.

Bon appétit!