Belgian specialties

stoemp avec saucisse

by Vincent
written by Vincent

Stoemp avec saucisse or in English Stoemp with sausages is a Traditional Belgian dish made of mashed potato mixed with vegetables (the Stoemp portion) and served in this case with Belgian sausages. Quite a few different variations exist as it could be served with many kids of meat: Chicken, Duck, Rabbit, Carbonnade, steak, Pork cutlet or mixed with bacon. The version with Saussages is typically from Brussels but each has his favorite.

Photo of a Stoemp with sausages served in a Belgian restaurant

Here are the ingredients for a Stoemp:

  • finely cut bacon cooked in some butter
  • 4 potatoes
  • 1 Carrot
  • 1 chopped leek
  • 2oz of butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Meat of your choice
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Cultural event

Brussels Jazz Marathon 2008

by Vincent
written by Vincent

The Brussels Jazz Marathon 2008 just ended this week-end for its 13th consecutive edition. 125 concerts were spread out from Friday to Sunday through outdoor stages for the biggest venues and the remaining larger portion indoors of around 50 bars, pubs and cafés of Brussels. And best of All it’s once again 100% FREE… Here are some pictures of Saturday’s evening.

Horse pulled buggy behind the Bourse

Place Sainte-Catherine

Marc Lelangue Trio

Rene Stock

The crowd gathered Place Sainte-Catherine

Soulstorm

Some of the many joyful Jazz festival goers

At the Grand Place the Laurent Doumont Soul Band

View of the Grand Place and its Brussels Jazz Marathon stage

Here come the horns

Pleased public

Place du Sablon with The Night Crowd Blues Band

The crowd at Place du Sablon

Tropa bar with Leo and the lunar tiki

Arriving at the Live Music Cafe

Featuring Kalema and K-Tribe

Pure Bar with K-Bonus


More of Léo and the Lunar Tiki’s at The Tropa Disco Bar

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bars and cafés

Cafe Metropole

by Vincent
written by Vincent

The Café Metropole is the bar and restaurant of the prestigious Hotel of the same name. Superbly decorated it is the last 19th century French Renaissance-style Hotel to have survived in Brussels. The magnificent terrace is heated during the winter but it’s inside that you can really experience the luxurious decor.

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The entrance of the Metropole hotel and the Cafe Metropole terrace behind it

The terrace itself from the other side

Well dressed waiters provide table service

The posh view sitting inside the Café Metropole from one corner

My choice from the six page menu arrived

Crystal chandeliers and high-ceilings are all part of the luxurious decor

Marble fireplace and bar in the back

View from the bar this time

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Art

Pavillon du Bonheur Provisoire

by Vincent
written by Vincent

The Pavillon du Bonheur Provisoire is 600 meters cube temporary building that’s entirely made out of empty Jupiler cases of beer, 33 000 to be exact. The Pavilion of Temporary Happiness is an extension of the Atomium’s Expo 58 and holds an exhibition about the history of the World’s Fairs.

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Before entering Pavillon du Bonheur Provisoire

Photos from inside the Pavilion of Temporary Happiness

The Pavillon du Bonheur Provisoire has also a backyard

 

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Architecture

Atomium Expo 58

by Vincent
written by Vincent

On April 17th 1958, under a grey sky, Expo 58 opens its doors to visitors for a period of six months. By staging this prestigious exhibition, Belgium wants to show its know-how in such varied fields as atomic energy, metallurgy, urbanism and transport. The Atomium, spectacular symbol of the atomic age is the sole survivor of the 1958 World Fair. It represents an Iron crystal molecule magnified 185 billion times. At a height of 102 meters or 330 feet, the structure consists of nine spheres, each measuring 18 meters or 59 feet in diameter which altogether weighs 2400 tons. Conceived by engineer André Waterkeyn, the iron molecule took 18 months to design and as many months to built. Celebrating it’s 50th anniversary this year many events are taking place until October to commemorate it.

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Atomium from a distance

Atomium from a distance

A bit closer

From just under the Atomium

From just under the Atomium

Different perspectives of the structure

Different perspectives of the atomnium

Inside the Atomium everything is memorabilia dedicated to the Expo ’58

Inside the Atomium everything is memorabilia dedicated to the Expo '58

The design and lights of the staircase somewhat made me remember the spaceship in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The design and lights of the staircase somewhat made me remember the spaceship in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey.

More of the Brussels World’s Fair era

More of the Brussels World’s Fair era

Atomium Elevator

Atomium Elevator

Inside another sphere of the Atomium

Inside another sphere of the Atomium

And up again we go

elevator atomnium

TV room

TV room

More stairs with a Stanley Kubrick feel to them

More stairs with a Stanley Kubrick feel to them

Atomium Bar

Atomium Bar

View of some of the spheres around

View of some of the spheres around

Back downstairs for the lift to the top. In 1958 this was the fastest in the World which still feels pretty quick 50 years later.

Back downstairs for the lift to the top. In 1958 this was the fastest in the World which still feels pretty quick 50 years later.

View of the city of Brussels from the top of the Atomium

View of the city of Brussels from the top of the Atomium

Mini-Europe, Brupark and the Heysel stadium view from Atomium

Mini-Europe, Brupark and the Heysel stadium view from Atomium

The palais du Heysel in the back and the ADAM Museum on the right seen from Atomium

The palais du Heysel in the back and the ADAM Museum on the right seen from Atomium

Closer up

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