For years, I have been celebrating my birthday abroad, unless it was impossible due to COVID-19 restrictions. In June 2023, Steve and I went to Rotterdam in the Netherlands in a deal combining a dinner at Restaurant Fred and an overnight stay at Marriott Rotterdam including a champagne breakfast.
Tag: Gastronomy
REVIEW | Restaurant Kuzina in Athens
During a lovely dinner in February 2023, Steve, Philippe and I decided to visit Athens during the – Catholic – Easter Holiday. As I was lucky to have the full Easter weekend – Saturday, Sunday and Monday – off, I booked flights and a room. Steve and Philippe arrived in the capital of Greece two…
REVIEW | Restaurant Neon in Lier
In October 2023, the ‘education crew’ of Frank, Steve, Philippe and Nicolas, and myself (not an educator), dined at Restaurant Neon in Lier. Located in a former school, Neon prides itself of sourcing local ingredients.
ANTWERP | 2023 Smaakmeesters culinary festival on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October
The ninth edition of Smaakmeesters or Taste Masters will take place in Antwerp on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October. During this culinary festival, gourmets can taste the craftsmanship at around a hundred catering and specialty shops.
In search of Belgian or Flemish cuisine in Antwerp
The Loodswezen on the Scheldt Quays in Antwerp is to become the Smaakhaven. The Flemish Government is investing a whopping 38 million euros to create a Flemish Culinary Centre. But what is Flemish cuisine, in extenso Belgian cuisine? Of course, Flanders being Flanders, and being governed by Flemish nationalists, it underlines the Flemishness of the…
ANTWERP | Loodswezen to house Smaakhaven or Taste Haven, a Flemish Culinary Centre
Toerisme Vlaanderen or Tourism Flanders is investing 38 million euros for a Flemish Culinary Centre at Antwerp‘s Loodswezen. It will be named Smaakhaven or Taste Haven.
MANCHESTER | Afternoon Tea at Richmond Tea Rooms near Canal Street
Inspired by the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, we travelled by train to England in March. Combining ESC host city Liverpool with the industrial heritage of Manchester. Manchester to Liverpool was also the first steam railway line ever. A perfect pretext to travel to The North.
ITALY | 1.5 day in Trieste
October 2022. As we wanted to test Trenitalia‘s Frecciarossa 1000 service from Paris to Milan, we planned a rail trip around it. From Antwerp to Paris with Thalys, the ‘Red Arrow’ to Milan and once in Italy continuing to Trieste and Bologna. The return trip took us to Basel in Switzerland to enjoy SBB‘s panoramic…
REVIEW | Restaurant Le Train Blue at Paris-Gare-de-Lyon
October 2022. As we wanted to test Trenitalia‘s Frecciarossa 1000 service from Paris to Milan, we planned a rail trip around it. From Antwerp to Paris with Thalys, the ‘Red Arrow’ to Milan and once in Italy continuing to Trieste and Bologna. The return trip took us to Basel in Switzerland to enjoy SBB‘s panoramic…
RIDE & DINE | Brussels Tram Experience
The Hague has the Hoftrammm, Milan has the Atmosfera and Brussels has the Tram Experience. In September 2022 Danny, Sam, Oriol and I booked a table for four.