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    • EatEat: La Piola, Brussels, Belgium

    LaPiola

    I have finally taken the time to tell you something about one of my favourite restaurants in Brussels, a small Italian place called La Piola.

    They only seat about 30 people (in summer a bit more when the small terrace and patio are open) in a very cosy environment with simple wooden chairs, beautiful tiles, original and often changing art on the wall and an open kitchen.

    The menu is very simple and short and written on the red board: a few pasta’s, meat and mozzarella dishes and deserts. All are generous portions of delicious quality. It is also known as a whine bar where people just stop to have a drink with some free ‘aperitivi’ from the bar. A northern Italian tradition that I warmly welcome.

    It is recommended to make reservations, only on Wednesday’s this isn’t possible since then the place becomes very crowded and fun with people going out after the Chatelain market.

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    EatEat: Small World, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    SmallWorld

    I came across this small sandwich shop just after it opened at the end of last century. One of my best friends lived in the same street, and as she grew up in Australia, she quickly made contact with Sean, from the same part of the world. He is one of the happiest persons you’ll meet in Amsterdam, even speaking Dutch with a lovely accent and always keeping his head cool when it is crowded.

    His sandwiches are delicious, there is a large choice of all kinds of healthy toppings, salads, cakes, greens, pasta’s and shakes. And they also do great coffee and take away meals.

    There are some seats inside, but if you’re lucky and the sun is shining, you can sit outside on of the benches and feel just as happy as I did end of September in the last rays of sunshine.

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    EatEat: Pudding Rock, Brussels, Belgium

    Puddink Rock

    Again a post about a place not far from where I live. Since this is a lunch restaurant, only open on weekdays, the occasions to visit this have been rare.

    The name of this small restaurant is written in flashy pink on the on the silver grey façade. Inside you are in for a real treat, especially if you (pre-)order the tasting menu. These are around 10 different small dishes served in glasses or bowls on a black slate. It is so beautifully served that it looks like a small painting that you don’t dare to touch. But if you do, you are rewarded with exquisite tastes that are truly mouth watering.

    Pudding Rock collage

    The last time I was there with two of my best friends from Amsterdam (who surprised me for lunch on my birthday), we also took the desert tasting menu. It was hard to resist not licking our plates.

    Phone: + 32 (0) 25341719

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    EatEat: Ca’s Patró March, Cala Deià, Spain

    Ca's Patro March

    After visiting the town of Deià we continued along the coast and took a little street downwards towards the seaside, Cala Deià. When you are almost there, you have to park your car and continue walking for the last 10 minutes. And suddenly behind the corner you are surprised by a small and beautiful bay with waves coming in. People are bathing or having a drink/lunch at one of the two restaurants.

    Above restaurant lies astonishing half above the sea and when you are up there, you are rewarded with great views. We were just lucky that someone cancelled his reservation and a table came free.

    Ca's Patro March

    If you want to be sure to enjoy this very specially located place, be sure to call upfront. Phone: +34 971 639 137

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    EatEat: Badmeester Keimpe, Balk, The Netherlands

    About 20 years ago my parents bought a little holiday house in Balk, Friesland, the most northern province of the Netherlands. A cute little house, built in the 70′s that my mum redecorated completely so that it became a favourite weekend and holiday get away. Built along a lake called: Slotermeer or Slaetemar in Frisian language, that we enjoyed with our boat.

    Friesland is a beautiful province, full of lakes that are all interrelated. If the winter is cold enough the famous Elfstedentocht is skated along 200 km of the lakes and rivers and even passes the charming little town of Balk. And in summer it is a lively, outdoor province full of people enjoying the water, sailing from one town to the other or discovering the flat green land by bike.

    A few years ago, just across the water from our holiday house, this new restaurant was built. It has a huge terrace, looking over the lake and you can ‘park’ your boat in front of the door in the harbour. Next to it there is also has a small beach area and playground for childeren to play. It is decorated in a modern way with lots of wood so it fits nicely in the environment.

    An ideal spot to eat, drink and hangout to enjoy this part of Friesland.

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    EatEat: Ut Lieuwke, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Lieuwke

    In May I had to be in Maastricht for work and in the evening we had dinner with some colleagues. One of them knew this little, local restaurant in the centre and we had a wonderful evening.
    The place is run by a couple; he cooks and she is the host. The welcome is  warm and friendly and it is very hard to choose from the French menu and the suggestions written on the black board.

    It was the time of asparagus and they were very very tasteful. The chocolate desert was the perfect way to finish it.

    Three months later I was in town again for work and decided to take my German and Austrian guests to have dinner here again. This time I had lamb as a maincourse, accompanied by a delicious Italian red wine: Dedicato Langhe. As an appetizer we received a home made gazpacho with shrimps. My starter was a typical french delicacy but I don’t dare to mention it here…

    My guests were just as enthusastic as me. I hope you will try it for yourself.

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