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Bruges
Richard and Linda Neville used to be wine merchants in the wilds of Cumbria but are now slowly touring France and Belgium on a 100 year-old Dutch barge. This gives them enough time to research the places they visit and Richard has been kind enough to share their discoveries in Bruges with us.
They say they would be prepared to consider any suitable research work. To contact Richard email richardneville@onetel.net.uk
WHERE TO STAY
No 11 in Deerdenstraat is a comfortable, stylish B&B with accommodation more luxurious and aesthetic than the hotels. Bizarre paintings by Annie's artist husband, Paul, hang on the walls. Tel 050 33 06 75.
THE BEST PLACE TO DRINK A COFFEE
Mezzogiorno in Wollestraat. Not obvious, so it is a haven of tranquillity when the streets are heaving with tourists on a busy summer's day.
Up a flight of steps between two shops on the east side of the street you find a small terrace and stylish Italian furniture shop where they also serve coffee and a few Italian dishes for lunch.
Try the Coffee Della Casa, served with small dessert samples. If in the mood for a Vin Santo you will find theirs interesting.
WHERE TO EAT FOR BEST VALUE AT GOOD QUALITY
Auberge de Herborist (tel 050 38 76 00) where the food, particularly the 'hapjes' (amuse gueules), is creative and artistic with innovative use of herbs and vegetables. It is situated on the south edge of town just after the Torhout road crosses the motorway, and is open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday and Thursday evenings, and Monday. Four rooms are available to stay the night.
In an ambience that is comfortable and stylish in a traditional way, you are invited to enjoy the daily changing no-choice menu that is not even written, but rest assured the 'modern classical French' dishes are lovingly prepared and presented, often using interesting combinations of ingredients.
Personally, on arrival I prefer to be seated direct at the dining table, where I find the impact of the artistically sculptured hapjes to be greater, accompanied by a glass of Champagne if you choose the drink inclusive option. After a start like this, the rest of the meal can do nothing but taste wonderful. The restaurant has woven its magic.
Prices start from 64euro for a five course (including hapjes) weekday lunch inclusive of aperitif, wine and coffee; 49 euros without drinks. Evening and weekend menus cost more, but include additional courses. You can also purchase chef Arnold Hanbuckers latest book that reflects his cooking philosophy and has just won three Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Barcelona.
Following the Champagne, the drink-inclusive option provides as much white then red wine as you wish. Often modern Spanish, these wines are chosen for their individual quality rather than known names or to particularly match the food, and change weekly or so. The 120 strong wine list, with prices from 26 euros, reflects this philosphy.
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST CAKES AND CHOCOLATES
At prices and quality better than we have yet found in France, everything is made on the premises at Detavernier in Wijngardstraat. They close Tuesdays.
If the mouth-watering display proves too immediately tempting, then cakes may be selected and eaten in their tea room Carpe Diem, from breakfast time onwards.
WHERE TO DRINK THE BEST BEERS
T'Brugs Beertje in Kemelstraat opens at 4pm every day except Wednesday. This is the place for real Belgian beers, where you will find no pilsner or lager. It is a cosy and friendly bar in which everyone talks to everyone.
Ask Daisy or Peter to serve you a real Belgian beer experience - particularly the lambics or geuzes, fruit flavoured or not from their huge list.
WHERE TO BUY WINE
Van Acker in Raamstraat has some quality, mainly French, agencies such as Jos Meyer and Philippe Charlopin, plus a few other interesting wines such as San Leonardo and Sanford Pinot Noir. He also stocks a large range of Barros Colheitas.
They say they would be prepared to consider any suitable research work. To contact Richard email richardneville@onetel.net.uk
WHERE TO STAY
No 11 in Deerdenstraat is a comfortable, stylish B&B with accommodation more luxurious and aesthetic than the hotels. Bizarre paintings by Annie's artist husband, Paul, hang on the walls. Tel 050 33 06 75.
THE BEST PLACE TO DRINK A COFFEE
Mezzogiorno in Wollestraat. Not obvious, so it is a haven of tranquillity when the streets are heaving with tourists on a busy summer's day.
Up a flight of steps between two shops on the east side of the street you find a small terrace and stylish Italian furniture shop where they also serve coffee and a few Italian dishes for lunch.
Try the Coffee Della Casa, served with small dessert samples. If in the mood for a Vin Santo you will find theirs interesting.
WHERE TO EAT FOR BEST VALUE AT GOOD QUALITY
Auberge de Herborist (tel 050 38 76 00) where the food, particularly the 'hapjes' (amuse gueules), is creative and artistic with innovative use of herbs and vegetables. It is situated on the south edge of town just after the Torhout road crosses the motorway, and is open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday and Thursday evenings, and Monday. Four rooms are available to stay the night.
In an ambience that is comfortable and stylish in a traditional way, you are invited to enjoy the daily changing no-choice menu that is not even written, but rest assured the 'modern classical French' dishes are lovingly prepared and presented, often using interesting combinations of ingredients.
Personally, on arrival I prefer to be seated direct at the dining table, where I find the impact of the artistically sculptured hapjes to be greater, accompanied by a glass of Champagne if you choose the drink inclusive option. After a start like this, the rest of the meal can do nothing but taste wonderful. The restaurant has woven its magic.
Prices start from 64euro for a five course (including hapjes) weekday lunch inclusive of aperitif, wine and coffee; 49 euros without drinks. Evening and weekend menus cost more, but include additional courses. You can also purchase chef Arnold Hanbuckers latest book that reflects his cooking philosophy and has just won three Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Barcelona.
Following the Champagne, the drink-inclusive option provides as much white then red wine as you wish. Often modern Spanish, these wines are chosen for their individual quality rather than known names or to particularly match the food, and change weekly or so. The 120 strong wine list, with prices from 26 euros, reflects this philosphy.
WHERE TO FIND THE BEST CAKES AND CHOCOLATES
At prices and quality better than we have yet found in France, everything is made on the premises at Detavernier in Wijngardstraat. They close Tuesdays.
If the mouth-watering display proves too immediately tempting, then cakes may be selected and eaten in their tea room Carpe Diem, from breakfast time onwards.
WHERE TO DRINK THE BEST BEERS
T'Brugs Beertje in Kemelstraat opens at 4pm every day except Wednesday. This is the place for real Belgian beers, where you will find no pilsner or lager. It is a cosy and friendly bar in which everyone talks to everyone.
Ask Daisy or Peter to serve you a real Belgian beer experience - particularly the lambics or geuzes, fruit flavoured or not from their huge list.
WHERE TO BUY WINE
Van Acker in Raamstraat has some quality, mainly French, agencies such as Jos Meyer and Philippe Charlopin, plus a few other interesting wines such as San Leonardo and Sanford Pinot Noir. He also stocks a large range of Barros Colheitas.
