La Grande Porte

Frommer's Review

It's hard to think of a Brussels eatery that is more traditional Belgian than this archetypal place in the down-at-the-heels Marolles district. Dark-wood furnishings, paper lanterns, marionettes hanging from the ceiling, old posters, and fashionably shabby walls, the whole suffused with the sounds of canned French cabaret, combine to create a cozy, convivial dining space. The mostly regional main courses are served in bountiful portions. Sure to impart a warm glow of appreciation are hearty standards like the carbonnades à la flamande (beef braised in beer), ballekes (meatballs), waterzooï à la Gantoise (chicken stew), jambonneau (pig's knuckle) pot-au-feu, and stoemp (mashed potatoes and carrots) with sausage. But a touch of bistro-level sophistication in dishes such as the chicory and smoked salmon and the warm-goat's-cheese salad starters lifts the menu out of the plain class. The late-night open hours are an additional plus.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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