Antwerp(en): Fashion and Food Capitol

We only had one day in Antwerp, the fashion capitol of Belgium. We knew we were in for a treat when we arrived in the beautiful art deco train station with one of those giant vending machines--diapers, wine, or Coca-cola Light, anyone?

At Renzo, we went Italian with ham, mozzarella, and pesto panini. INK wanted to try a the handmade "warm chocolate special" to drink. JM had ice tea (peach and fizzy, of course).

We loaded up on chocolate gifts at Pierre Marcolini and biscuits at Phillip's Biscuits. We looked out for ourselves at Goossen Pastries, an Antwerp institution with a long line of locals out the door.

Much to gusta at Gusto, a mondern little restaurant with orange lights and only one cook and one waitress. We started with a mixed antipasta. JM complimented her mushroom linguini with Fanta. INK had potatoes and gambas. We would eat there all the time if it was in L.A.

A shot of Belgium 45 Degrees added to the atmosphere of dark wood and scarred cats at the neighborhood gin bar. Our dessert was a shot of hazelnut creme gin.

We finished off the Goossen for breakfast the next day before catching our train to Amsterdam.

In Bruges

Picturesque canals, shopping, seafood, fries, art, good-looking natives, beer--what more could Delicacheena ask for? This quaint town in Belgium was a great way to start a vacation. [We loved the new Colin Farrell/Ralph Fiennes movie!]
Belgium fries in the rain, with mayonaise, of course.

The Chocolate Museum: Chocolate hats and purses, the largest chocolate egg, chocolate demonstrations, free samples!

We found a younger crowd at De Republic. The kip (aka chicken) fajitas, pre-wrapped in tortilla, was palatable. But made all the better by more Bruges Triple beer. Unfortunately, that didn't help the asian-esque spaghetti bolognese.

Our first truly Belgium waffle reminded us of the delight of buying crepes in France. Hmm, what toppings? Nutella is a no-brainer.