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In the neighbourhood - ING Cultural Space

14:39 18/10/2013
Planning to visit the extraordinary photo exhibition by Lieve Blancquaert, Birth Day, showing now through January 5, 2014, at ING's cultural space (6 Place Royale, 1000 Brussels)?

There's no need to head straight back home after the exhibition, with plenty of places nearby to go for lunch or dinner, enjoy a drink, shop and even spend the night. Here's our pick of some of the best spots: 

Laurent Gerbaud

In his mission statement, Brussels chocolate maker Laurent Gerbaud says he “swears to God that his chocolates contain no added sugars, no butter, no preservatives, no soy lecithin and no artificial flavours”. What’s left is a dark and rich chocolate with 75% cocoa (50% for the milk chocolate), which he blends with exotic flavours. It all started in China, where he discovered the combination of kumquat and dark chocolate. His range now includes myriad delights, including milk chocolate truffles with speculoos, dark chocolate with black Madagascar pepper and sweet chilli.

2D Rue Ravenstein, 02.511.16.02, www.chocolatsgerbaud.be

Autour de Monde

Visit French designer Serge Bensimon’s concept store Autour du Monde, for a mix of ready-to-wear fashion and home decoration. Here you’ll find casual outfits in cheerful colours, scented candles with dreamy fragrances and, of course, the famous tennis shoes. These simple canvas trainers with a rubber sole come in a rainbow of colours and never go out of fashion. They exist in women, men and children’s sizes, and have a fan club that includes Jane Birkin and Natalie Portman.

70 Rue de Namur, www.bensimon.com

The Hotel

Located between the high-end fashion boutiques on Boulevard de Waterloo, The Hotel is the perfect place to spend the night. The recently renovated rooms ooze timeless luxury and the presence of fashion books and magazines give away The Hotel’s interest in design and couture. As long as the YSL exhibition runs, you can book a superior room, including a parking spot, breakfast, wifi and two tickets to the expo for €210 per night (€390 for two nights). The special offer is only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

38 Boulevard de Waterloo, 02.504.33.35, www.thehotel.be

Beauty by Kroonen & Brown

If you’re looking for an exclusive scent, this is the place to be. Think niche perfumes by among others Amouage, a fragrance house that draws its inspiration from the Sultanate of Oman, perfumes and scented candles by Swedish label Byredo, and amber fragrances by Odin New York. They also stock (organic) skincare and make-up brands, such as Gentlemen’s Tonic, the South African Environ and Jane Iredale. And all of this comes with great service and personalised advice.

49 Rue Lebeau, 02.512.40.05, www.kroonenandbrown.com

Mercken

After shops in Hasselt and Antwerp, luxury menswear boutique Mercken has found its way to Brussels as well. In the store on Boulevard de Waterloo you’ll find suits by Italian label Brioni, luxury fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna and – exclusive to Brussels – the ready-to-wear and made-to-measure creations by top American designer Tom Ford.

30 Boulevard de Waterloo, www.mercken.com

Restaurant JB

Tucked away in a side street off Boulevard de Waterloo, Restaurant JB is a family-run business with an outstanding reputation. From the half-open kitchen you can watch chef Freddy Van Ruyskensvelde and his two sons Kurt and Frank while they blend tradition and innovation, using fresh, seasonal Belgian and French products.

24 Rue du Grand Cerf, 02.512.04.84, www.restaurantjb.com

Crazy Tea

Ever heard of bubble tea? It’s a Taiwanese tea-based drink that first saw daylight in teashops back in the 1980s. The addition of flavoured tapioca balls is what makes the drink so popular. Bubble tea first became a hit in the US, before it found its way to Europe. In Brussels, you’ll find it at Crazy Tea. Choose your tea (fruity, milk or frozen), choose your bubble flavours (mango, passion fruit, lychee, yoghurt) and enjoy the sweet sensation.

29-31 Chaussée d’Ixelles, www.crazytea.be



This article was originally published in Expat Time, Spring 2013

Written by The Bulletin