Brussels in Belgium, the de facto capital city of the European Union (EU), offers a lot of cultural, historical and even gastronomic adventures. Last weekend I was there to attend a meeting at CEPIS ((The Council of European Professional Informatics Societies), we where invited for dinner in the evening at Basil & Co. There where representatives from Computer Societies all over Europe and as a network evangelist, I just love this possibilities to mix business and pleasure. Adding to that, my wife joined me on this trip so that doubled the fun and increases our adventures. I had my Nokia N82 at hand of course, and as often would love to share this culinary sensation with you:
Basil & Co at 156 Avenue Louise is a Spanish, French, International & Fusion restaurant with excellent service, a sensational wine cellar and mansion atmosphere. I was told the house was from the 1800s and originally owned by a brewery family. Their historical exclusive restaurant, helps your gastronomic dreams come true and connoisseurs will enjoy the food as well as the atmosphere. I would say a perfect match of culture, architecture, history and food.
When arriving, our table was already set in the dinning room on the first floor and this picture (click all to bigify and enjoy) hopefully gives you an idea of the atmosphere:
To the right, you see a fire place and behind that: a piano.
After a glass of champagne, we set down at the table and had great conversations about IT Professionalism, skills and required competence as well as Brussels, culture, the news of today and of course food. On my right side, I had the pleasure of getting to know CEPIS’s Policy and Communications Executive and of course we talked a lot about how to use Social Media to promote our services to our members and the societies. To my left, I had interesting conversations with the Irish representative of the British Computer Society.
But now I assume you are starving and so where we – so lets enjoy the servings:
Salad with Serrano ham, dried tomatoes and rucola. Wine: Terret-Sauvingnon 2006 by Jean-Francois.
Leg of lamb with “Tierenteyn” mustard and parsley, wokked vegitables in rice paper and Risotto with mushrooms. Wine: Abadia Real Tempranillo 2006 de Castilla Y Leon
Ice cold nougat with raspberry juice (sorry I had some before I took the picture :-) )
Since pictures says more than a thousand word, I think I leave it there and just hope you enjoyed!
For those who have not red about our Friday first nights adventures, here is the post!
Tomorrow I’m going to Kirkenes (almost as far up north as you can get in Norway). This weekend we’re having our annual meeting (or general assembly if you like) for the Norwegian Computer Society. And since we’re at the border, we’ll have a sight seeing in Russia on Sunday. So I will be quite busy, but while I’m away, you might enjoy reading my last posts from those places:
From Russia with love.
My wife is away for the weekend and I am reduced to eating left overs. Now you toryure me with photos of a banquet. Maybe I will go out for dinner. Enjoy your adventure.
Oh! The European Architecture of the 19th century :). I’ just wonder, you mentioned under the second picture To the right, you see a fire place and behind that: a piano., you mean the space between the fire place and the wall that has the entrance door, right :)
RennyBA
Your so right Hicham, that’s where the piano is :)
It was taco night here in New Hampshire. Not nearly as glamorous and yummy s yours, I’m sure.
Tomorrow we have Anneliese x-rayed to find out how many puppies! I can hardly wait.
So fancy!
Ooooooooo that looks fabulous! I’m going to drag hubby away from his computer desk tonight and take him out for dinner. Not that it will look anything like that – Ringwood’s not quite in that league…..
Enjoy Kirkenes, looking forward to hearing all about it.
the dessert always gets me! yum!
Dear Renny,
I simply had to close my eyes:
Some times food is too good to be true.
What a meal.
Hope you brought back the recipes and the art of cooking.;))
Amazingly wonderful! I would love to explore that house/restaurant! :)
Yummy, your dinner makes my granola bars whimper in shame! :)
A splendid setting for a delicious looking meal. I can almost smell it……
I remeber the restaurant well, the food was divine but the atmosphere was what was really special!
For some reason, I have good memories of food in Brussels, even though I have only been there once over ten years ago.
Nothing quite likt the food you had though!
Wow Renny…looks so wonderful!!!
Hope you have a great weekend
Love, Jess
Yes it is a typical place for seminaries and buisiness meeting lunch and dinners. I worked not far from there.
yummy! that restaurant and food is quite impressive.
My… What a feast! I’m jealous! ;)
Brussels sounds great…. After all, it’s Europe’s capital!
That’s a really fabulous place. The setting is very sophisticated. Hope you had a wonderful dining experience.
Whoa!!! How many seaters for that long lovely table? I don’t mind dining here with you and the rest of your friends.
Oops, me hungry now…have fun Renny :D
That place looks so grand. An Old World elegance of sorts. Food looks good too.
I know that restaraunt! I had a friend who worked there. You bet the service is nice. She shared some leftovers with me once, and the food is very good. I hope that you didn’t just stick to wine in Belgium, though, as this is the country of high quality beer.
I live in Brussels and if anyone knows a guinea-pig BREEDER (not pet shop) here. Oh, if you know one in Belgium, that’s ok.
The food decoration was nice, looking like paintings!
YUM. I say no more….
*wiping my drooling off with a towel*
I enjoy reading your blog post. Thank you for provide great information.