Rome/ Mainz and Brussels

Rome/Mainz/and Brussels

Woody’s reasonably priced suggestions for dining.
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Blog address: woodysrestaurantlists@blogspot.com


Rome

‘GUSTO
Piazza Augusto Imperatore, 9
Via della Frezza, 23
Tel: 06 3226273
I stopped by this place thinking it looked oh so, so trendy….and lo and behold it is!!  According to the concierge at our hotel it is very popular and most trendy.  The food is wonderfully prepared in the nouvelle style but not sparse.  I ate the first time in the restaurant upstairs which is Italian minimalist modern as only the Italians can do it; spare but warm. The downstairs features outside dining and an accompanying large indoor pizzeria. (It is very reasonable to eat in the pizzeria.) You can watch all the good looking people start wandering in around 8PM. The menu is casual and simple. The downstairs is warm and inviting as well as lively. Ladies you can fall in love every five minutes with the gorgeous Italian men who flock to this place. 

AD HOC
Via de Ripetta, 43
Tel: 06 2 33 040
Conviviodirepetta@virgilio.it
A new find and the newest favorite.  We stopped at the
darling Hotel Mozart
after coming from having a drink at another of our favorite places to “cocktail”.  (You will love it too.  We had come from
garden of the fabulous five
star Hotel Russe near the Piazza Popolo.  The drinks are as expensive as a better restaurant in the U.S  but they bring so many “munchies“ that you can skip the appetizer at dinner.) The concierge at Mozart recommended Ad Hoc which itself is not far from the Popolo.  We were so happy with the ambience and our meal that we were actually excited at finding a place with an emphasis on new tastes.  
Two Italian men at another table offered us some fried bread sticks thick with the taste of parmesan.  Two of us shared a marvelous mushroom pasta.  Afterwards I dined on tagliata…my favorite of sliced steak on arugula.  They gave me four large slices of meat. One person had the mixed grill of fish and another the oso buco.  A mixed salad, grilled vegetables, and roasted potatoes plus a nicely priced bottle of wine set us back about 30 euros apiece.  The portions were so large that we should have shared the meals or ordered a fewer items and come out paying even less.  This is a new “find” and well worth a trip down the Corso towards the Popolo and Via Ripetta. 

PICCOLO MONDO
Via Aurora, 39/d-Roma
Tel: 06 4814595
Fax: 06 4828500
My father used to go to this family run restaurant forty years or more ago.  It has been in existence 45 years.  The daughter and two sons run it now.  “A Small World” (piccolo monde) is located on a quiet side street about two blocks away from the fashionable Via Vendetta.  You can get a hearty meal at a good price.  The typical Romancist dish of pasta Amatriciana was nice and spicy.  We split this as an appetizer and then we were practically too full for the meal.  I had braised lamb.  It was tasty but heavy on a hot summer night. 

ARANCIO D’ORO                               
Via di Monte d”Or 17 at Via dell’ Arancio
Tel: 6865026
If you can find the tiny street Via dell’ Arancio on the map you have very good eyes.  If you can find the street you will find this restaurant.  It is near Piazza di Lorenzo in Lucino off the shopping street Via del Corso.  I love this little piazza.  I stop in one of the sidewalk cafes for an afternoon drink quite frequently.  I also love this little restaurant shown to me by Jan Costic.  The food is always plentiful and tasty and fresh.  The prices are very reasonable.  I always order their fried zucchini flowers and  their pasta arriabiata. I had a nicely prepared chicken dish another visit.  I would avoid the lamb.  Lamb in Italy seems to be thin and fatty. Anything else  you order here will be pleasing. You can check out this and other restaurants at www.ristorantidiroma.com

MACCHERONI
Piazza della Coppelle
Tel. 06 68307895
I think that is how you spell the name of the restaurant. The name is very hard to read on the card It does not matter that you don’t know the spelling as once you get there you will need x-ray vision to locate a name because it is not evident anyplace outside.  Look for the burnt red awnings on the little piazza to find it.  If you think all this is hard you will need a Global Positioning System (GPS) to find the place!  As hard as they make it to find the restaurant  is always packed.  But if you get past all these obstacles the food is good and very inexpensive. 
My hint to find it is to walk to Hadrian’s Column off the Via de Corso.  Go past it and up past the front of Parliament.  Keep between Parliament and Hotel Nazionale and go down that alley.  When you pass Tombolino, a very nice clothing store at the end of the block, turn left.  Go to the end of this block past Della Palma.  Be sure and plan a stop on the way back at Della Palma as they must have at least 200 selections of gelato.  I have never seen such a selection.  Turn right after Della Palma and go down the alley until you reach Piazza della Coppelle which is just at the end. Find the burnt red awnings and you are finally there!

LA NUOVA CAMPANNINA                                                                  
Piazza Delle Coppelle, 8
Tel. 06 688 03 921
www.lanuovacapannina.com
Right near Maccheroni is this find recommended by the Roman jeweler friend of a flight attendant.  And what a find it is.  DO NOT turn into the restaurant right next door and more visible due to its corner location.  You will have to win the lottery to eat there. It is supposed to be one of Rome’s more expensive places to dine.  Look back in the corner to find La Nuova Campannina for a wonderful meal at dirt cheap prices.  We shared the caprese salad.  It came with very fresh mozzarella, artichoke and tomatoes on large platters.  Accompanying  the salad were huge artichoke bulbs marinated in olive oil and spices.  I have never seen artichokes served in this manner.  They were terrific.  I had the house chicken (ala Campannina).  It was cooked in Marsala wine.  I loved every bite.  I especially loved the cost....six euros!  The pastas were yummy and ran seven euros.  Most of the meats were ten to eleven euros.  We all enjoyed our meals and we all agreed it was a multi-repeat place to visit for dinner.  (I have dined here many times now and always like my meal.  The couple who run it are a joy.)


L’ORSO 80
Via Dell’Orso 33
06 686 49 04
www..orso80.it
Turn on your GPS system again to find this alley.  It is not far from the Pizza Navona.  There is no outside dining so you may want to save this one for more inclement weather.  Bring your appitito however.  When you sit down and order the antipasto (13 euros) they bring at least twenty plates of wonderful vegetables, melon, procutto, and olives to begin your meal. Most of us found it impossible to go on to a main entrée as there was so much to eat for the first course.  The main courses that were ordered were quite good and reasonably priced in the ten to thirteen euro ranges. Order the good house wine and you are out the door for a most reasonably priced meal .


RISTORANTE ALA RAMPA
Piazza Mignaelli 18
Tel: 06 6782621
Facing the Spanish Steps walk to the right until you see a column that is covered right now as it is obviously being restored.  Walk up the slight incline of a hill to
All Rampa. It is a bit touristy because of the location. They have lots of outdoor seating which is wonderfully pleasant on a warm summer night.  Ala Rampa also features an extensive antipasto bar if you wish to go the heavy starter route.  The prices are good.  I like the chicken with the Gorgonzola sauce.  You can get out the door...or should I say patio....in the twenty to twenty five euro range. Note: they do not take credit cards.



A MUST STOP:
The terrace on the rooftop at the Grand Hotel de la Minerve         
Piazza della Minerva…right across from the Pantheon.
Do stop here for a drink.  (Again, the drinks are expensive but they, like the Hotel Russe bring you a plethora of items to snack on. You will pay about 9 euros for a beer; a little more for a glass of wine.) This rooftop bar has a great view.  It is a most delightful place to stop for a drink in the evening.  They always have live music around 7PM.  You can dance and enjoy the breeze as well as the view.


Check out www.amicimusicasacra.com for the free music concerts at the churches around Rome. Also www.mendelmusic.com.  Check out www.micanet.net/accademiadoperaitaliana/eventi.htm for the schedule of operas at the Anglican Church.  (Or e-mail them at operaitaly@micanet.net.)  This is a deal for 21 euros. (Usually an opera runs $100 a performance

The “Plate” restaurants- Go to the website www.buonricordo.com/ for a list of the restaurants in Rome, Milan and around the world that give you a really neat plate from the restaurant if you dine on their house plate for your meal.  E-mail this group for the booklet, which will show you all the restaurants and cities which offer this plate special.  I have only eaten in the first one listed below.  It was across the Tiber near Trestevere.  There is no outside dining so it would be a place you might want to save for winter.  The food was very nice but to get the plate you are eating from a set menu.  You will not have a choice as it a fixed price.  



Ristorante Dante-Taberna de Gracchi
One of the “plate” restaurants.  Via de Gracchi
www.tabernagracchi.com

Trattoria Checchino Dal 1887
I think this is another “plate” place.
Via Monte Testacco
www.checchino-dal-1887.com
E-mail- checchino_roma@Tin.it

DA FRANSISCO
Piazza del Fico
Tel: 06 686 4009
Located on the tiny Piazza del Fico a few streets behind the Piazza Navona is a pizzeria that is always packed to the rafters because it is so cheap to eat here.  If you start with the antipasto they charge by what you take.....and they don’t charge much.  You can stuff yourself at the antipasto bar and then follow with an inexpensive pasta in the six or seven euro range.  I had a very cheesy eggplant Parmesan.  You can always stick with a pizza only and really skate out the door for a pittance.  We ordered several bottles of house 
wine and, even with a big tip for our especially friendly waiter, got out the door for around eighteen euros.

INSALATA RICCA
Largo del Chiavari , 85
03 0668803656
Walk to the very end of Piazza Navona (facing the church…walking left) until you get to the street that takes you out of the piazza) into the little square of Largo del Chiezuri.  You will find a favorite of some of the Italiian speakers.  This reasonably priced restaurant looks small but stretches back like a long railway flat.  The list of pastas and salads is quite long.  Split a salad and 
then order your own pasta.  All 
run in the 8 euro range.  Then walk across to the statue and rub it.  Supposedly it will bring you economic good luck!  The fact that you get out the door for a real reasonable price in Rome is good luck!


LA SAGRESTIA
Via del Seminario, 89
Tel: 06/67.97.581
Fax: 06/69.90.885
As per its street name this place was a seminary at one time housing monks.  It is now owned by an Alitalia pilot and serves good hearty fare. The two rooms comprising the main dining areas are small.  The décor is minimalist with painted walls being the soul decoration. It is not gourmet but the food is flavorful. I liked the eggplant Parmesan even though it is a flatter version than I am used to eating.  La Sagrestia is a half block from the Pantheon.  Again, this can run you about twenty euros if you don’t go overboard with the wine.  We ordered house carafes.  It was ultimately drinkable



Rinaldi al Quirinale
Via Parama
11-a-00184, Roma
Tel: 0647825171
Fax: 0647882980
This is a favorite of the crews, as it is owned by a very friendly family that seems to pile on the extras for crewmembers.  The food is very nicely done and is reasonable priced.  The main room is light and airy.  It does not have outdoor dining in winter but it would be very ephemeral in the twilight of winter.  The anti-pasta is too expensive so just order around
the anti-pasta.


RISTORANTE S. ANNA
Via St. Anna 8/9
(Right of Piazza Argentina)
Tel:06,68307190
www.ristorantesantanna.it
Located right off the piazza where all 
the wild cats reside you will find a small street and a light airy restaurant with a wide menu and good prices.  It is also well liked by the crews.  There is limited outside seating as it is down an alley way.
 From the catch of the day cooked in a salt bake to the wide range at the anti-pasta bar you will find something good to eat.  I finally found tagliata cooked as nicely as I found it in Florence.  I asked for the shaved parmesan over the meat as they prepare it in Tuscany.  They were happy to comply. (Tagliata consists of strips of steak over rocket lettuce.) The service was friendly and accommodating.  I think you will like St. Anna


TRATTORIA EL FICO
Via di Monte Giordano 49
Tel: 06 6875568  
www.ilfico.com
I was originally put off by the appearance of this restaurant because there was so much scaffolding around the building.  They were apparently resurfacing the outside of the entire structure.  We vacillated about eating here at all.  We were very pleasantly surprised by the taste of our meals.  The food was very tasty and nicely prepared.   My second visit was even more pleasant than the first because they moved around the corner to a new place.  (Note the new address.) The menu is very, very reasonable with most items running around 5 euros.  The main course is about 8 to 10 euros.  Try the spinach.  It was steeped in garlic and yummy.  The fish was excellent.  Do not order fish by the gram in Italy unless you want to give up your first born  to cover the price.  Do eat the fish that has a set price and do try the new Il Fico.  The pasta is quite nice here. My friends were startled by the fact that they brought a whole lobster on top of the featured lobster with pasta they ordered.  Remember; even small crustaceans come unpeeled in Europe….as well as in your pasta.  It is just startling to see a huge lobster treated the same way by just setting it smack
on top of the pasta.  (The dish
was only priced at 16 euros.)


Wine in Italy
When I spent three weeks in Tuscany with friends we started out ordering fairly expensive wines until I read that the house wines are usually quite good.  Restaurants in Italy do not want to shed a bad light on their establishment by serving any bad wine; including the house wine.  If you want to save some money try a carafe or bottle of the house wine first to see if it is palatable.  If you don’t like it move on to a more expensive bottle.


La Casina Dell L’Orologio
Viale dei Bambini, Pincio
06 679 8515.
Bucolic.  This absolutely beautiful setting  and tranquil kiosk type eatery in the Borgese Gardens is a must stop on a hot day to escape the heat and go to your “Zen” space.  It sits under a carpet of trees making it a bit of heaven in the park You will find it located very near where you exit the zoo and also near the Spanish Steps.  Walk left up 
the road at the top of the Spanish Steps until it forks and veer right until you see the obelisk.  A few yards past the obelisk is this lovely setting and another approach to the gardens.


RICCIOLI CAFÉ
Via Delle Coppelee, 13 Roma
Tel: 6.682 10313
Try this wine bar on the little square next to Maccheroni and La Nuova Campannini for free cocktail munchies with your drink.  You could actually make a meal out of all the food they offer at their sumptious
happy hour if you were looking
for lighter fare for the evening.
They had some sushi, a little pasta,and other sizeable treats to nibble on with your large glass of wine equally large beer.


VINOTECA NOVECENTO
Right down from Riccioli Cafe
is a new wine bar that I think
will give Riccioli “a run for it’s
money.  You can get a nice glass
of wine for about 7 euros and sit
outside sipping it on large wine
kegs….a bit gimmicky but pure
fun.  Here they bring you a lot of snack items like bruchetta and
ham slices on toast.  The ubiquitous olive is also in play.


ARCO DE S CALISTO in Trastevere
Via Arco di S. Calisto, 45
Tel: 06 5818323
Off the beaten track in Trastervere you will find what I think is the best eggplant Parmesan you will find anyplace.  Just go to Piazza Santa Maria.  Put the Basilica Santa Maria to your right shoulder and your back to the Tiber.  Go down the little street right in front of you and turn at your first left to put you on Via Arco di S. Calisto. You will find yourself in a quiet place away from the madding crowd you have been plunged into in the old town of Trastevere.  I like to sit outside in the summer but the restaurant is quite nice inside.  I would not go earlier than 7:30PM for dinner as you may have a bit of a wait.  Typical of most restaurants in Europe the staff is dining before the actual dinner hours begin.  Being American early can cause you to have delays in getting your meal. They haven’t finished their dinner to get to the kitchen to start yours.  The prices here run around 12 euros for the main course.  The anti-pasta, which can be shared, runs around 6to 8 euros.  A mixed salad is 3.50 euros.   Do try the procutto and melon.  Melon in Italy is vine ripened and the best tasting melon you will ever put in your
mouth.


IL BACARO
Via degli spagnoli 27
(Pantheon/piazza novona)
Tel: 06 6872554
Info@ilbacro.com
www.ilbacro.com
Nestled back in a corner under a canopy of ivy Il Bacaro thrives and presents an unusual and delightful combinations of food that belies the usual “sameness” of restaurant fare in the big city of Rome.  My Tagliata was served with a pesto sauce over the strips of steak.  A striation of  different vegetables  flanked the meat.  From the rolled pork to the peppercorn chicken we all delighted in the variation on 
theme that we found in this
cozy corner in Rome.  We added to the meal
a most reasonably priced Noble de Multipulciano.  (Think 15 minutes from Multicino where they make Brunelo.  Same terroir, same sun and half the price because the name is not
as well known.)


EDY
Vicolo del Babuino, 4
Tel: 06 36001738 (Between the Piazzade Popolo and the Spanish Steps)
Edy is located on a tiny street near the Hotel de la Russe (It is a bit more expensive but finding
Edy and eating here is such a nice evening out.  The restaurant is darling and the menu is varied. I have some friends who made this a repeat during their 
stay near the Spanish Steps.


Le Cave di S.  Ignazio
Piazza S. Ignazio, 169
Tel: 06-67 97 821
www.dasabatino.it
Besides the fact that this is, to me, one of the most beautiful churches in Rome and that they have both indoor and outdoor concerts at this church year round it is also the location of a lovely piazza and Ristorante da Sabatino a S. Ignazio.  If you manage to be there on a night with an outdoor concert and sit at the large outdoor seating area for dinner you will have one of your more delightful evenings in Rome.
They have most friendly service and give you what looks like a large bloated pita and fried rice cakes “gratis” to start you off on your meal. We all enjoyed our pastas.  My puttanesca was really good. We shared a veal saltinbocca which was thin and tasty. We did not stay for dessert as the huge selection of the most wonderful gelato at De la Palma (near the Pantheon and not far from the restaurant)was calling our names.  (Watch the bill like a hawk.  They tend to “add on”. Really… keep a close tab on your expenditures.  I only go here now when the Military Bands are playing on the steps of the church which makes it most worth while for the extra trouble of watching the bill.)


L’OSTERIA de “MEMMO”
Via dei Soldati, 22-23
Tel: 06 68135277
www.osteriadememmo.it
A sister restaurant of Orso ( I think by marriage) ; this osteria has the same over the top anti-pasta offering as Orso.  It is as hard to find but down the street past Orso by a number of blocks.  It is quite close to the water.  Just keep following directions to Orso and then keep going.  The interior is cozier than the larger Orso.  Have the anti-pasta and then do not expect to have room for any other food or eat off the menu and have a meal more intended to keep you at your fighting weight!


IL DUCA
In Trastevere
Vicolo del Cinque 52 56
Tel: 06 5817706
This is one of Audrey’s favorite places in Trestevere.  It is right down from Il Ciak.  They have the wonderful thin crust pizzas and a well priced menu of pastas.  It is casual and welcoming for airline crews so mention you are crew.  The interior looks very nice and inviting but we chose to eat outside on a lovely summer evening.  They use salt liberally but I love salt.  I had the pasta primavera.  We shared grilled artichokes.  For a big group or a casual bite stop here.

OSTERIA DEL SOSTGNO
Di Marco Massoni
Via delle Colonelle, 5
Tel: 06 670 38 42
www.Ilsostegno.it
Located a block back from the Pantheon you will find a small street with a large green neon sign that says Trattoria.  You will need to locate this sign to find the small restaurant nestled in a small corner between two
buildings. If you can find it you 
will enjoy the pleasant flavors,
interesting presentations and
low menu prices.  The appetizer
portions are smaller but have
lovely flavors and a creative
collection of ingredients.  The 
asparagus ravioli, spinach,
eggplant parmesan and argugla 
salad with avocado and walnuts
are a sure bet.  Do try any items
on the menu for a really good 
evening tucked away in this little venue in the heart of Rome.


FLORENCE

The following are such terrific restaurants that  I would recommend you try all three.  The main courses all run in the 15-euro range to a little bit more.  The appetizers are about 8 euros.  If you wild with your wine you can bump your price up a lot but remember; the Italians are not going to embarrass themselves by serving rot gut wine.

LA GIOSTRA
Borgo Pinti IOR
Tel:055/24 13 41
e-mail lagiostra@mclink.it

I was talking to a passenger who had lived in Florence about eating in Florence.  He said to definitely try La Giostra.  I noted the name on a slip of paper and meant to put it in my wallet to take to Florence.  I remember looking at the name right before I left for Europe but I completely forgot to take it.  Imagine my surprise when we  
 walked into the restaurant where we were to have Christmas Eve dinner to see the name La Giostra on the door.  I turned to my friend’s daughter who had made the reservation to tell her the story.  She is attending college in Florence and loved this place. What a coincidence!  And what a great place!  To start out with it is darling with beams and whitewash walls.  The waiters are darling.  It helped that the sommelier looked like Kneau Reeves.  The owner-chef is a character right out of a movie.  He flits from table to table bringing a large antipasti plate , complimenting the table and generally spreading good cheer.  Then comes the food.  It is so scrumptious.  The portions are large.  I found the tagliani, which I had not tried before.  I thought this was pasta from the name but in reality it consists of slices of steak covered with arugula and slices of Parmesan.  I ended up having it every night.  I was able to taste everyone else’s  meal as well.  Everything was divine.  This is a must stop evening.  (I have since been back.  Loved it again!)


TRATTORIA 4 LEONI
Via Vellutini 1 50125
Tel: 055-218562
Not far from the Piti Palace
www.4leoni.com
Anthony Hopkins apparently ate here every night while filming in Florence.  He remarked that it was partially because he could always get a table.  The owner then remarked that it was because he was Sir Anthony that he could get a table.  We were seven coming in at the last minute and we too were able to get a table.  We did not have a reservation but I would not try that in the tourist season.  Another adorable restaurant with exposed brick and colorful walls and interesting lighting making the ambience delightful. The food was marvelous as well.  I had my steak dish.  I began with the wonderful dried ham and melon.  The others l loved their pasta starters.  Check out the menu on their website. 


RISTORANTE RICCI
Piazza Santo Spirito
Numero 8/R, 50125
Tel: 055 215864
Also fairly near the Piti Palace
Piazza Santo Spirito is a must see.  It is a small but supremely lovely piazza that holds this precious restaurant that features fish.  The dishes are quite a presentation themselves.  I decided to forgo the fish. I had my steak dish once more but this time it was served in the elegant style of a really expensive restaurant.  One of our party decided to have the steak Florentine.  This steak is always served by the kilogram and is meant to be served to two people.  This steak is usually the size of a small car so be really hungry when you order this typically Florentine dish made with olive oil brushed T-bone and cooked with garlic and rosemary.  I was boring starting with a mixed salad.  We shared a dessert that was a tasting of several of their yummy desserts that you can get individually if you prefer. 


BRUSSELS

BALTHAZAR
Rue Archimede
Tel. 02/742/06 00
Metro: Schumann
Balthazar is a smart looking restaurant near the new EEC building and the hotel Dorint.  The food is artfully presented and reasonable.  The entrees (appetizers) are in the 7 to 8 euro range and the large salads run about 9.20 euros.  The main courses vary from 9 to 15 euros.  The pave de salmon served with a vinaigrette carrot coulis and wild rice, farfalle (bow tie) pasta with tomatoes, olives, rocket lettuce, Parma ham and shaved parmesan or chicken breast on a bed of new potatoes with celery and sweet corn in a yogurt sauce are just a few of the offerings.


SI BIMOL
Rue aux Fleurs, 20
Tel: 02 219  63 78
Metro: Bourse
This is definitely a crew hangout.  It is also tough to find so how someone located it to begin with is astounding.  You go to the area of the Bourse (stock exchange) and walk down the large Blvd. Emile Jacquemain towards the large neon Coca Cola sign. (This must be the Brussels version of Times Square).  Turn left on either Rue Vander Eist or Rue du Cirque and go one block.  Rue aux Fleurs runs parallel to the large boulevard. The atmosphere is how shall I say…..zilch.  However the food is very good and the portions are quite large.  You may wish to share an appetizer.  They run in the 8-euro range.  The main courses are in the environs of 10 to 17 euros.  I would stay clear of the steak unless you choose the rib eye.  Go for the fish or the gambas (large shrimp).  Remember that the gambas in Europe are served with their heads still on.  The chicken is very nice.  The caprece salads are huge and lovely.  The French fries come in a big bowl so you get plenty of food with any of the choices.


T’KELDERKE
Grand Place, 15
Tel: 02 513 73 44
Metro: Centraal
For good hearty typical Belgium fare I like this place right on the Grand Place.  As you face the town hall look left.  You will see two red awnings.  Take the stairs down between these awnings to T’Kelderke.  I particularly like the carbonnade which is the Belgium version of beef stew without the vegetables.  It has a dark sauce that is finger licking good.  They also have stomph which is a typical dish of mash potatoes served with your choice of accompaniment such as sausage or other meats.  Waterzoi is the Belgium version of chicken soup that can be a whole meal.  It has a half chicken in broth and julienne vegetables.  This is a nice choice when you want comfort food.  Everything here is in the 8 through 15 euro range.

ET QUI VA PROMENER LE CHIEN
2 Rue de Rollerbeck- A walking street right off the charming Place Sablon
Tel: 32 2 503 23 04
Metro: Centraal or Trone
e-mail etquivapromenerlechien@skynet.be
With a catch name of “Who is Going to Walk the Dog” you expect a little bit of a difference in a place to manger (eat).  Pan European food makes up the menu with a bit of Asian influence tossed in for good measure. A modern presentation of the food is in accordance with the equally modern purple and cream décor.  With interesting touches such as S shaped glasses, little tea lights and purple globe ashtrays you will find a pleasant atmosphere.  The restaurant is casual and the prices match making it a reasonably priced place to get out the door.  The appetizers run about 6 to 7 euros. The main courses run from 9 to 14 euros.  I started with a delicious large timbale of goat cheese, spinach and tomato.  For my main course I enjoyed a lovely pasta with Parmesan cheese, fresh vegetables and pine nuts.  I had a good glass of Brouilly type 


BLUE de TOI
Rue des Alexians 73
Tel: 02 502 43 71
www.resto.be.bleudetoi
I had passed this restaurant so many times.  I finally made a reservation to dine.  The place is adorable. It is right down from Rollerbeck and Place Grand Sablon and not far from the Grand Place.  The food is terrific and different.  Their specialty is something called a Binjtze.  There seems to be a long story associated with this dish.  You can read up on it on their website.  There was apparently a farmer who developed a new breed of potato which he named after his son Binjtze.  The restaurant takes this potato and makes wonderful toppings.  This is not your basic stuffed potato.  I had a sweet potato topped with a fragrant crab curry.  One of my table mates had the classic Binjtze with three types of mushrooms capping it off. The Binjtze dishes come with a salad. They run about 10 to 12 euros if you have them as a main course; less if you have them as a starter. Another person with us had a fish which was also excellent from their list of more traditional main plates.  These ran about 17 euros. The other specialty is lobster which runs about 22 euros. I have not tried the lobster yet.  We shared a starter.  I would never had thought of putting cheese with pumpkin and a bit of what seemed to be a type of salami.  I could have eaten ten dishes of this appetizer as it was so delicious.  
The easiest way to get here is to go to Place le Grand Sablon and walk down Rollerbeck. At the bottom of Rollerbeck you will find a square.  If you see Super Bowling on the square so you will know you are in the right place. Just keep going the hill about a half block.  You will see Blue de Toi on the left. You can stop by and bowl a few lines before dinner if you are so 
inclined!


IN ‘T SPINNEKOPKE
1, Place du Jardin Aux Fleurs
Tel” 02 511 86 95
E-mail info@spinnekopke.be 
www.spinnekopke.be
 To find this very old restaurant put your back to the Bourse (Stock Exchange) building.  You will be facing the Marriot across the street. Go to the left of the Marriot until you reach the very next intersection.  Turn left.  That will lead you a few yards to a three way split of streets. Take the street to the far right.  It’s name is Rue Chartreuse.  Go all the way down the street until you see Spinnekopke about two or three long blocks down on the corner.  Bring your appetite because the food is really good but also very plentiful.  You could split most of the entrees because they are quite large.  First they bring you a whole basket filled with a 
loaf of bread.  I had the carbonnade ; a pure beef stew steeped in a wonderful beer based gravy.
Don’t look for a vegetable in this
typical Belgian stew.  It is all meat A small bit of greens accompany on the plate.
Scrumptious French fries are a side dish to the stew.  I ordered a side mixed salad.  That was a generally a lot more than I needed to eat so I would suggest you share or split if you want more salad. The adjacent table ordered what seemed to be a vat of the largest serving of mussels I have every seen.  This is an old fashioned Brussels eatery, very good and a nice chance to experience the local atmosphere.


AMADEO
Rue St.-Catherine, 26
Tel: 02/502.51.37
Would you like to go to a place
that gives you all the ribs you 
can eat for 13.50 euros?
Who would not!  Scoot down
to the area of the Bourse again,
face McDonald’s (in front of
the Marriott) to proceed down the street to the right of the Marriot; about two block.  You will find Amadeo, The Place for Ribs.  Mind you this is Thai barbeque so you need to understand that the sauce is more like teriyaki sauce.  For 13.50 euros you get a foot long rack of ribs with a large sweet potato and a small salad served on a big wooden platter.  Then they come along and offer you more ribs when you are finished with the huge portion you just attacked.  You can ask for the ribs with the sauce on the side.  The service is very accommodating.
(They also offer a gigantic steak for 17.50 euros.)
I was attracted to Amedeo by it’s unusual atmosphere.  It a bit like a library plopped down in a Thai pizza parlor.  Books on shelves line the wall, the lighting is very red, the table clothes checked and a lot of Thai gods and goddesses intersperse the room.  It is fun so take your appetite and go for a good time and lots of food.


CARPE DIEM and LA TERRACE
Avenue de Tervueren,13 and the adjacent Av. Des Celtes,  1
02 735 05 49 or 32 02 732 28 51 for La Terrace.
(Info@brasserielaterrasse.be)
Go to the wonderful War Museum in the park near the European Building for the free entrance.  After touring this excellent museum walk towards the fountain at the back of the park towards Carpe Diem and the adjacent La Terrace on the next corner.  Sit in the garden during the summer and order a  light meal.  La Terrace has an exceptionally lovely plant covered terrace. You can walk down this long avenue to experience about ten restaurants along the way.

MAINZ

HEILIGGEIST
(Holy Ghost)
Mailandsgasse 11
www.heiliggesit-online.de

Pull up this website with it’s super cool streaming video to get a look at the interior of this church- cum- restaurant.  You can also download the menu in English.  The main plates are plentiful with food so you can probably split the appetizer if you want one.  The food is great.  The vaulted ceilings of this former church/hospital add to the ambiance of the modern interior décor.  They have something that looks down  like a huge rectangular pizza served with a variety of toppings on a super thin special crust.  It looks like enough to share but a lot of people were “eating the whole thing”.  I had the pork with a side of Bayrish Kraut and dumplings.  It was scrumptious.  Try Holy Ghost for a different spin on German food.


AM  HOLZTOR
       (The Chicken House)
Holzstrasse 40 
Tel: (06131) 22 76 70
If you are looking to have a huge portion of a really good chicken schnitzel this is the place to find.  It is located near the river in Mainz.  The huge portions include two large boneless chicken breasts smothered in a pepper sauce.  You also get a salad and rosti potatoes with sauerkraut.  It is a lot of food and so tasty you will probably eat the whole portion.  This mom and pop restaurant has a waitress who will dote on you and make you feel right at home.

BRAUHAUS ZUR SONNE
(Flaylaufa II)
SonnengaBchen 55116
Tel:0 61 31 23 16 10
Another chicken schnitzel with pepper sauce mecca.  Airline crews have made this a “must” stop for a brew and what seems to be the most popular dish in the Mainz area.  Zur Sonne is always lively.  It tends to cater to every airline known to man.  You can have interesting conversations with people from all parts of the world as well as have a huge portion of chicken schnitzel, roasty potatoes and sauerkrauT.


ZUR KANZEL
6 Grebenstrasser
www.zurkanzel.de
6131 237 137
I thought Zur Kanzel was Hansel for Hansel and Gretal but instead it means “The Pulpit”.  Who knew!  Nonetheless it is a wonderful little restaurant on a side street off the main street in the Old Town area.  Zur Kanzel is a little more expensive and a little more upscale than the usual “brauhouse” fare in Mainz.  I have dined here several times so you can get a bit of an more upgraded version of your old favorites and some new and interesting menu items.

AUGUSTINERKELLER
Augustinerstrasse, 26
0 61 31 31
Augistinergkeller is a restaurant and wine stube on the main street through Old Town, Mainz.  It has the best cheese schnitzel I have eaten anywhere and will let you pack on the pounds as well as anywhere in this town of caloric feasting.  Order the roastie potatoes and red cabbage for a downhome German meal.