Belgo Centraal

NileGuide Expert tip:

Usually requires a reservation

Description:

• Chaos reigns supreme in this cavernous basement, where mussels marinières with fries, plus 100 Belgian beers, are the raison d'être. Take a freight elevator into a converted cellar, divided into two large eating areas. One section is a beer hall seating about 250; the menu here is the same as in the restaurant, but you don't need reservations. The restaurant side has three nightly seatings: 5:30, 7:30, and 10pm. Between 5:30 and 8pm you can choose one of three fixed-price menus. Although heaps of fresh mussels are the big attraction, you can opt for fresh Scottish salmon, roast chicken, a perfectly done steak, or one of the vegetarian specialties. Gargantuan plates of wild boar sausages arrive with stoemp -- Belgian mashed spuds and cabbage. Belgian stews, called waterzooï, are also served.

• © Frommer's 2013