Pain Quotidien @Galerie de la Reine - Best breakfast in town!

In today's episode we mix a bit of culture with a bit of cuisine.

As parents of a toddler the idea of staying long in bed during weekends doesn't exist for us any more, therefore we can often be caught as first visitors in random places of the city. On July 21st, the day of coronation of the new king of Belgium, we promised ourselves to stay as far away from the down town as possible. After all, it's going to be crowded, lots of streets blocked, traffic... We planned a calm breakfast at some small cafeteria on the border of the city.

After driving around empty streets for some time, not being able to find ONE place that would be open, we finally ended up in front of the church that hosted the big ceremony. The streets were absolutely empty, we could park just next by, in front of the church there was small crowd gathering, but not very overwhelming yet. I guess fact that it was 8 am in the morning on Sunday explains a lot.

After a bit of walking around, Chris offered to go to famous 'painquot' to have the breakfast. And the closest one was at Galerie de la Reine.

Le Pain Quotidien is a famous bakery chain in Brussels. Set up in 1990 by Belgian, who couldn't find proper bread for his restaurant and decided to make some of his own. It not only grew into chain of bistros offering way more than just baked goods, but also spread all over the globe (see Wiki). By many people it's known as "the place that sells bread for 10eur a loaf".

It's very nice and cosy place, offering number of tasty and organic food. Of course, there's big selection of bread, but also salads, drinks, pies and so on. Lots of the products you can actually buy to enjoy at your own home. Yes, it is expensive. But what you get for the price is very tasty, healthy and organic food, great atmosphere, charming staff and, in this case, beautiful surrounding. We were even lucky enough to be accompanied by a street opera singer, which made the experience that much better.

The first "painquot" opened at Rue Dansaert, but, without seeing many others, I think the one at the gallery is just about the best.

A little bit about the gallery then. Trying not to repeat too much of the Wikipedia page, it's basically shopping mall designed for higher classes. Having quite striking resemblance to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, though smaller, was actually created 30 years earlier. So if their Wikipedia page says that Milan's gallery was the oldest shopping mall... well, seems like Brussels wins that one!

The whole complex, called Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, consists actually of three galleries - Galerie de la Reine (Queen's gallery) - is the one with Le Pain Quotidien, Galerie de la Roi - King's gallery, and small Galerie des Princes. Altogether though, they just create one common space.

You will find number of fancy shops inside, starting from hat-makers to chocolateries (of course). It's not a surprise either that the whole gallery is a registered monument. Between the stores you will also find Théâtre des Galeries Saint-Hubert, which is registered monument on its own, but we'll leave that one for the next time.

Le Pain Quotidien hides quite a number of places inside (check the upper floor), but I enjoy sitting "outside" (which is still inside the gallery). Points for being child-friendly - staff is very nice and helpful and the area is closed, meaning our little one can run around fairly freely without disappearing from our eyes (passing tourists seem to be enchanted though, by a "lone" toddler running around in between them).

If you entered the galleries from the Grand Place side (starting by Galerie de la Reine), and you pass till the end of Galerie de la Roi, outside, on the corner, you will find a small brasserie, A La Mort Subite. I will try to post few words about the place some other time, but I can already mention that you should definitely stop by and try the famous Belgian Kriek - traditionally Brussels cherry beer (not only for girls).

Coudenberg - Underground city

I didn't lie when I said we keep on visiting places. This one is still from May - time flies so fast these days!

We were inspired to this visit by our "big project" I mentioned earlier. The work is still in progress, so I am not going to reveal its connection to this post... I am just going to tease you a bit by mentioning it every now and then. Trying to create a bit of suspense! :)

This time, as the title states, we go underground. If you know Brussels a bit, you've probably seen Place Royale - the one with great view on down-town, with the monument of a guy on a horse, just next to the Brussels Park. You got it?

Well then, this square was not always there. The ground was not always there either!

Square was build on top of a former Palace of Brussels, which burnt down in 1731. Yes, you got it right - they just covered up the remains with new buildings. But thanks to some renovation works and curious archaeologists, the site is being restored and is available for visits.

The palace was placed on a hill - Coudenberg (which in Dutch actually means "cold hill"), therefore the name. It's also often referred to as Palace of Charles V (curious why?).

Usually when you enter, you visit the museum and the archaeological site. Unfortunately, the museum was closed at the time, so we will have to go back one day to see it. The site itself though is interesting enough.

It consists of remainings of the palace itself, but also the whole street, rue Isabelle, with a Hoogstraeten House that stood by it.

 

Even recently, when we found ourselves again on Place Royale, I felt a bit of magic, seeing all the people walking around and most of them not being aware of what's hidden just under their feet.

 

I must admit, it was a bit tricky to handle a toddler, camera, read the guide and try to see what's around, so in the end - many photos are blurry, and I didn't exactly catch all the info... but what the heck, it was still nice, and little one enjoyed it as well.

Unfortunately I have lost the brochures we received, which give general info on the history, but also describe each building and show it's placement against the Place Royale on top. I would definitely want to go back there and have closer look this time, maybe even go for the audio guide that's available.

 

On the pragmatic side - the reception staff was super-nice and helpful. Then again, in Brussels most people are super-nice and helpful (I stand by it!). We had to leave the pushchair by their desk, though after we had our walk, I must say only few places were really unavailable to pushchair. It's supposed to be wheelchair accessible, so then - what's the difference, really?

Anyway, another nice place to visit, that's for sure. If you have more time (we didn't) you can get a combo-ticket to visit BELvue museum as well, which is apparently museum of Belgian history and culture (definitely on my list). You can even include lunch in the museum cafe that offers really good looking snacks (whether they're good-tasting we still need to check).

For more info, look at their site (check out "for kids" section - you can organize a treasure hunting event! forget the kids, I want to do it!).