Exki

Another chain of Belgian imaginative cafés are the natural, fresh, ready Exki establishments. All the food is pre-prepared and is available for take-away or eat in (at an additional cost). They also focus on bio (the European version of organic), and everything down to the obligatory square of chocolate which accompanies the café is certified organic. The faire ranges from pasta salads, sandwiches on crispy baguette, pastillas and quiche. The coffee is wonderful and they even have some varieties flavored with syrups. I always like indulging in a dessert, since the variety of pot au crèmes are perfect portions of sweet to accompany a cappuccino. The place is incredibly popular on a weekday lunchtime, interestingly the time they decide to fill the self-serve case.
http://www.exki.be/

Frederic Blondeel

Frederic Blondeel wins the prize for the most creative chocolate combinations. The cafe is the perfect stop for a coffee&chocolate boost after a day of shopping or sightseeing downtown. It's located at the old quay near St. Catherine's cathedral amid the neon flashing fish restaurants. I love this area for its combination of gritty city ambiance - there is still an old pissor next to the church - and refinement - you can get a plate of oysters with a champagne chaser right across the square. Frederic Blondeel was given high marks in the Bulletin chocolate competition this year for his unique chocolate flavors. I especially liked the cardamom and milk chocolate and the Szechwan chili was good too, but the fresh mint topped them all - hard to find in Belgium. I've noticed that the flavors change periodically so you can't always find your favorites. Frederic Blondeel has fresh roasted coffees which are served with a praline or two on the side. The ice cream also is a treat. Kevin's mom declared it the best she's ever tasted. I love the decor as well, minimalism is punctuated with beams and flourishes from Indonesia. This is becoming a stop on our visitor tour of Brussels, because although Frederic Blondeel isn't traditional Bruxelles he's an example of how some Belgians are taking a classic idea and refining it with a modern twist.



http://www.frederic-blondeel.be/

Gaudron

On Place Brugmann at the end of Avenue Louis Lepoutre the atmosphere feels more Parisien than Bruxellois. Kevin and I love heading down to Brugmann on a weekend to soak in the European atmosphere. There's great shopping, a wine bar and plenty of choices to sit for a cappucino and croissant. My favorite café hands down is Gaudron. Open for breakfast, lunch and teatime, it's part traiteur, part bakery and part greengrocer. They offer a wide variety of gourmet goods from around Europe and often are sampling their products. The service is excellent with an army of wait staff to satisfy your every whim. On a lovely summer day, Kevin and I went there for afternoon coffee and I ordered the blueberry tartlet which was the best tarte I'd ever tasted. If you're pressed for what to have for dinner, you can order at the counter for take-away until 8pm.


http://www.gaudron.be/

The Coffee Club

What has been a home away from home for me where I can order a coffee a la Starbucks and 'to go' no less, is the modern and sleek Coffee Club on Rue du Bailli. It's so inviting in fact that I've began to enjoy lingering like the Belgians to sip my carmel machiato rather than run out the door to my next destination. It's hip and comfortable with a lovely garden out back covered if necessary with a retractable awning to protect from the high likelihood of rain showers. I saw recently an advertisement for WiFi there too and I plan to bring my laptop next time I visit. The Coffee Club is fun not only for their sweet coffee drinks with a variety of toppings, but they have luscious desserts and amazing salads and sandwiches. My favorite salad which I can't resist ordering each and every time I stop by for lunch is the salad 'Jazz'. It's made up of mesclin greens, tzay, pinenuts, parmesan cheese and sweet red peppers. The salads all have muscial titles and you can make your own salad to order as well. There is also a pasta bar that I've never tried. The hours are typical Bruxellois; open from 9 to 6 meaning Breakfast, Lunch and Teatime and of course closed on Sunday. Add to the modern decor with comfy suede armchairs, a fantastic music repertoire and funky art exhibitions, the Coffee Club is one of my favorite hangouts.


http://www.thecoffeeclub.be/

Le Pain Quotidien

Another of my favorite hangouts is less modern city chic, but French farmhouse refined. Le Pain Quotidien is a Belgian chain of bakeries specializing in rustic breads and simple, scrumptous desserts and the coffee is darn good too. I love ordering my cappucino and seeing it arrive in a bowl with lots of seaming foam. The flute aux noisette is also a staple for me with raisins and whole hazelnuts, it's particularly yummy with their house label Garrigue honey. A recent special creatively toasted the flute with gorgonzola cheese. The communal table is central to the theme of the place with the a wide variety of self-service spreads set out to make breakfast social, as well as tasty. The service is especially good here which is something rare in a country where tipping is not a custom. It could be that I'm in our local Pain at least twice a week so I received especially good service, but the waiter forgot to bring my cappucino after I finished my lunch and he actuallly gave it to me sur la maison. On entering the cafe there is a variety of products for sale as well as dishware with the Pain Quotidien logo. Even if I don't stop in, I love to linger in front of the shop window and admire the beautiful pastries prominately displayed to lure in customers...sometimes I can't resist!



http://www.lepainquotidien.com/