Craft gastro bar

Cocktails

12€

• FIESTA FEVER

  Natural Orange Wine, Mandarine Napoléon Grande Cuvée, Gammel Dansk, Clementine Tonic Water Citrussy / Bitter / Thirst-Quenching Carnival celebrations are of utmost importance to the people of Belgium. The ‘Carnival of Binche’ is one of the most famous celebrations of them all. Taking place every February, its history dates back to the 14th century and involves locals dressing up in clown-like costumes with wax masks, dancing through the streets while, rather unusually, throwing oranges at the adoring crowds. Even if crudely delivered, the oranges are considered gifts and it is considered rude to throw them back.

• LIQUID BREAD

  Trappist Beer Vermouth, Diep 9 Old Genever Campari, Grapefruit & Belgian Hop Bitters Bittersweet / Complex / Aperitif The craftsmanship of Belgian beer brewers has been unrivalled since the 12th century when, with the Catholic Church’s permission, local abbeys brewed the beverage as a fund-raising method, while simultaneously providing their local communities with a sanitary alternative to the dirty drinking water of the time. Beer was of such importance to the monks that they would undergo beer fasts during the 40 days of Lent, meaning that they would eat no food, receiving calories by only consuming beer, which they would call “liquid bread”.

• MY FAIR LADY

  Copperhead Gin, Contratto Bianco Vermouth, Muyu Jasmine Verte, Lemon Juice, Pine Nut Orgeat, Musk Bitters Sour / Sharp / Perfumed The epitome of elegance and one of the most iconic Hollywood stars of the last century, Audrey Hepburn captivated (and still does) many cinema aficionados. Not many people know, however, that the actress was in fact not American or British, as some people will have you believe. She was actually born here in Belgium. In the 1961 classic ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’, Hepburn’s character enjoys a drink – be it champagne or cocktails, she is often found with some kind of alcoholic beverage in her hand. Her favourite is, of course, the White Angel; a Martini containing gin and vodka only. .

• FLORALIS BELGIQUE

  Poppies Gin, Lime Juice, Hibiscus & Chrysanthemum Syrup Peychaud’s Bitters, Egg White Fruity / Sweet / Rich The art of floristry has been around since the first flower shops began to open in The Netherlands from 1875. Mastering this craft concerns many aspects when it comes to flowers and flower displays, starting with the appropriate care and handling of the flowers, through to the art of creating breath-taking displays for customers and events. Every other year, hundreds of Belgians effectively become florists as they volunteer to help weave a carpet-like tapestry of beautiful begonia flowers across the grounds of the Grand Palace. This ‘Flower Carpet’, as it has become known, stretches an astonishing 70m long by 24m wide, and it is completed in under 8 hours.

• LEATHER REBEL

  Johnnie Walker Gold Label Whisky, Smith & Cross Rum Chartreuse Yellow, Banane du Brésil, Pineapple Juice Lime Juice, Dandelion Root Fruity / Complex / Tropical The field of leather craft has been around for nearly 400,000 years and requires an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise to process, tan. One unusual practice, however, in the processing of leather that was popular in the Middle Ages has led to Belgium acquiring a most unusual mascot. In the Middle Ages, the bustling Rue de L’Etuve in Brussels would be lined with local tanners who would let children urinate freely on their leather since ammonia helps to make the material more supple. These crafty (and no doubt stinky) tanners of the time were of such importance to the Belgian economy that a small statue was sculpted and erected in the area as a tribute to them – a peeing boy, a.k.a. “manneken pis”.

• BAKER STREET

  Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Blonde Butter Syrup, French Vanilla, Maple Bitters Buttery / Sour / Full-bodied They say that baking is an art form rooted in science and it takes many years to master. Belgian bakers are some of the most talented in the world, with one local delicacy having been transported across oceans and continents since their inception – the humble waffle; Belgium’s best treat. Belgium truly became the home of a blooming waffle industry in the early 19th century, with many Brussels baker families adding a booth to their house or opening a salon at the coast where they could sell their delicious delicacies by the dozen to their local communities for a tidy profit.

• EYEOPENER

  Metaxa Amphora 7 Star Brandy, Café Marula Liqueur Fresh Espresso, Pistachio Orgeat Coffee / Nutty / Digestif Every culture in the world has its own form of music that is enjoyed by all ages on every continent, and Belgium is no different. The music of Belgium is a cultural mix where Flemish Dutch-speaking and Walloon French-speaking traditions mix with German and immigrant influences. Throughout the years, the country has produced (and still is producing) amazing singers and talented musicians known the world over. There is no denying that Belgium is a country ruled by music festival fever. From big fish ‘Rock Werchter’, ‘Pukkelpop’ and ‘Tomorrowland’ to more intimate indie or underground gatherings, every single month has its musical treats.

• PAPÁ COCO

  Casamigos Reposado Tequila, El Dorado 12 Y/O Rum Mozart Dark Chocolate Liqueur, Absinthe Suisse Rich / Velvety / Aromatic Chocolate-making is one of the biggest businesses in the world, and as it happens, some of the most skilful chocolatiers are located in Belgium. The inimitable Belgian chocolate style was pioneered by a Swiss chocolatier should not be a surprise given Belgium’s diverse, multi-cultural heritage. In fact, the very store that Jean Neuhaus opened in 1857, the first of its kind in Belgium, still exists to this day.

MOCKTAILS

6€

• CLOUD & PROUD

  Seedlip Garden 108, Cloudy apple juice, lemon juice, Martini Floreale, egg white Sour / Herbal / Fluffy A Belgian surrealist painter Rene Magritte’s witty and thought-provoking paintings sought to have viewers question their perceptions of reality, and become hypersensitive to the world around them. In his paintings, he often played with the perception of an image and the fact that the painting of the image could never actually be the object. Magritte painted The Son of Man as a self-portrait. The painting consists of a man in an overcoat and a bowler hat standing in front of a short wall. The man’s face is largely obscured by a hovering green apple. However the man’s eyes can be seen peeking over the edge of the apple.

• COFFEE UNION

  Bitter orange aperitif, fresh espresso Bittersweet / Revitalising / Refreshing The ‘Belgian Union of Coffee Roasters’ was set up in Brussels on 25 May 1943 by a number of leading Belgian family run coffee-roasting businesses. We sat down for a chat with Petty De Sloovere, the secretary general of Koffiecafé, the Belgian Union of Coffee Roasters, over… a lovely cup of coffee. Among other things, we found out how the “new coffee wave” made its entry. What is the link between our country and coffee? Belgium is renowned for its huge diversity in coffee. Hardly surprising considering that Antwerp is the storage site for over 250,000 tonnes of coffee. As it is, our country is situated on the intersection of the two major European coffee cultures: here you will find the stronger coffees, traditionally encountered around the Mediterranean as well as the less strong variants which are better liked in the northern part of Europe.

• ROAD TO GLORY

  Aecorn Dry, Belgian Verjus, Elderflower Cordial White Grape & Apricot Soda Water Dry / Acidic / Aperitif Belgium, and Brussels in particular, has always excelled at decadent dining with the local cuisine reflecting strong influences from neighboring countries such as France and the Netherlands. Of course, this is largely down to the skill and culinary craft of chefs young and old, who have dedicated their entire lives to creating beautiful plates of food and making their guests smile. Unbeknown to many foodies, Brussels is one of Europe’s gourmet centres, only outdone by Paris and London as the third most-starred European capital city by Michelin in their lucrative guide. According to the latest statistics, there are over 120 Michelin Star restaurants in all of Belgium – a phenomenal feat for people to be proud of.