‘Keep on Toasting’ Gourmet Street Food in Brussels

Over the last few years gourmet food trucks have been popping up all over Europe and last November it was Brussels’ turn, as chef Jean-Baptiste Nyssen opened his truck ‘Keep on Toasting‘.

It’s now one year since he opened the hatch and sold his first gourmet Croque-Monsieur, the classic Belgium toasted sandwich with a twist. During a recent visit to Brussels I caught up with  Jean-Baptiste, on the eve of the trucks 1st birthday, and tried one of his delicious toasties for myself. I had the Croq’ November and it went down a treat. The melted cheese was deliciously gooey, and the combination of taste and textures with the perfectly toasted spelt bread, bacon and celeriac really hit the spot.

As I munched away Jean-Baptiste explained that having trained for two years at cookery school, followed by 5 years hands-on experience working with different chefs, he wanted to start his own business. While there were plenty of other food trucks around, these were more often than not, of the deep fat frying variety producing poor quality food. He wanted to offer the people of Brussels a healthier, higher quality alternative.

Croque-monsieur is an extremely well-established Belgium snack but it rarely varies from the traditional cheese and ham filling. Jean-Baptiste took this popular dish to another level. Using taste combinations and ideas he had gathered over the last 7 years, he developed a unique range of delicious toasties. He chose to concentrate on producing just this one type of snack, so that he could work within the confines of the truck and still produce something really good to the high standard he desired.

Croq’ November, semi-soft cheese, bacon bits and celeriac and parsley

Over the year the menu has changed with the seasons but you’ll always find four types of toasty available including a veggie option, costing €5 each, while each day’s stock last, that is!

Jean-Baptiste isn’t just interested in great food, he is also a big fan of social media and its ability to promote a brand so as well as being geolocated ‘Keep on Toasting’ is active on Twitter and Facebook with regular updates about where he is and what is in stock. You can also check where he will be over the coming week or so on his website. This is usually somewhere in Brussels but can be anywhere in Belgium as he is available for public events and private functions. The truck is custom-made with a built-in professional kitchen, its own generator and water supply, enabling it to cater for up to 500 people, even in remote places.

Jean-Baptiste loves working in his truck, as it gives him the opportunity to interact with his customers, learning from them as he goes and I really enjoyed meeting him and my toastie was delicious but don’t just take my word for it; here’s what some of my favourite Brussels’ bloggers have had to say about ‘Keep on Toasting‘ over the last year…

“I spotted it at Place Flagey last Sunday and tried the croq’français (Entremont cheese, chicken, leeks, rosemary-honey) as well as a mouth-watering toasted brioche with cream cheese and lime – oh yes, it was a happy Sunday indeed!”  S Marks the Spot

“We decided to share the Alpin (cheese, ham and carrots simmered in rosemary) and the British (scrambled eggs, bacon, stilton and green beans). Both of which had us grinning from ear to ear and making lots of MMMmmmm sounds.” Why I’m not Skinny

“Toastie three, the Croq-Vert, by all rights, shouldn’t have worked. In the end, it was my favourite and really enjoyed by all. This veggie croq is filled with a slightly sweet goat cheese. It’s mixed with green lentils, mango chutney, nuts and a hint of coriander. Spectacular!” Cheese Web

“Long story short – I’m definitely going back … If you’re in Brussels, it’s definitely worth a visit. Two big thumbs up!”  Doctorate Housewife

eat! BRUSSELS

This weekend (from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September) sees some thirty restaurants come together in the Bois de la Chambre (French) also known as Ter Kamerenbos (Dutch) park in Brussels for the culinary extravaganza, eat! BRUSSELS. 

Sharing their passion for delicious cuisine, both traditional and new, they will also be joined by various culinary partners from around the globe enabling festival goers a chance to sample dishes and products from Europe, Africa, the East as well as neighbouring France and, of course, Belgium. The park, and its lovely lake, make a beautiful setting for this festival held for the first time just last year. Small portions, but plenty of them, is the order of the day!

This year’s participating restaurants include The Tram Experience, featured in a previous post, 5 Unique Dining Experiences in Brussels. Since it was launched in February 2012 it has been a dazzling success and it has definitely earned its place in eat! BRUSSELS. This year, the Tram Experience is showcasing Brussels-based chefs, and the dishes served up for the festival are the creations of the project’s patron, Lionel Rigolet, chef at the legendary Comme Chez Soi.

Cuisines from around the globe

Sichuan is famous for its pandas and gastronomy. Its cuisine is among the eight most important in China. By focusing on the delightful variety and sophistication to be found in the province’s gastronomy, the eat! Brussels Festival is a good opportunity to promote friendly relations between Brussels and Sichuan. Sichuan’s gastronomy will be superbly represented by chefs from Daronghe, an acclaimed restaurant in the city of Chengdu.

Katanga, in southern Democratic Republic of Congo, is known for being multicultural. Katangese cooking is renowned for being warming and spicy, to be enjoyed with friends and family and will be represented in Brussels by the traditional cuisine found at Café Baraka in Ixelles.

Budapest, the Hungarian capital is proud of its roots and has a flourishing social, artistic and scientific life. Both banks of the Danube, the Buda and Pest, are home to thousands of restaurants, bars and cafés. As well as the culinary delights of master chef Áron Barka, a wide range of Hungarian wines will also be presented by the Master Sommelier, Jim Bauters. In addition, Budapest will this year offer its traditional Hungarian goulash originating in the country’s great plains, to be prepared by a genuine shepherd calling on centuries-old traditional techniques. Something not to be missed!

Bratislava is a border region with Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic. Although it is the smallest region in Slovakia, Bratislava is the nation’s economic engine. Geographically, the mountains of Malé Karpaty and the Little Carpathians divide the landscape into two plains: Záhorie plain and the fertile Danube plain. The Little Carpathians are a rich wine-growing area and, from a culinary viewpoint, Bratislava Region also has a great deal to offer. For example it boasts a wide range of vegetables of every colour under the rainbow, not to mention a stew of red and white cabbage, stuffed pike, catfish soup, lokše (a kind of pancake) and pastries with sweet names such as fánky and koblihy.  Young people will be guests of honour this year on the Bratislava stand, which will be represented by hotel school students at the Farského Secondary Vocational School.

Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaer (known in Arabic as ال رب اط س لا زمور زع ير ) is a region in Morocco; its administrative centre, Rabat, is also the nation’s capital, famed for its cooking, notably specialities such as the meat of lamb and sheep cooked on a spit (‘mechoui’) or in a tagine pot. This stew, which is cooked slowly with salted fruits such as dates, prunes or lemons, is traditionally accompanied by couscous. Dates and milk are among the region’s nutritional staple foods. In addition, the region’s gastronomy includes a mix of rich seasoning spices, such as ‘kama’, which comprises nutmeg, black pepper, ginger, turmeric and cumin. The nation’s favourite beverage, mint tea, goes well with Moroccan cakes and biscuits such as ‘ghoriba’ or layered crêpes. The region will be represented by the caterer Samraa from Rabat.

Beijing‘s gastronomy is complex, sophisticated and full of flavour. It has been based on pork and mutton since the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, notably through the influences of Mongolian and Manchurian cuisine. Beijing’s cuisine has also been influenced by culinary traditions to be found throughout China. This year the city will be represented by the Beijing Golden Million restaurant.

In Quebec, the passion for fine food has been passed down through the years and continues to thrive! Influenced by France, Canada’s Aboriginal peoples and Britain, the province’s cuisine is today renowned for the variety of its local produce and by the ingenuity of its chefs and artisans.
During the festival, Kanata, the site selling produce from Quebec, will introduce the province’s culinary side. This includes beers, teas and herbal teas, maple products, and locally produced sweets and liquors. Visitors to eat! BRUSSELS are also invited to a highly typical ‘épluchette de blé d’Inde’ (corn roast) during meal-time tastings.

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the nation’s political, cultural and industrial centre, as well as a major university centre. Sofia’s cuisine is strongly influenced by Slavic and Mediterranean cooking. It is also very healthy, calling chiefly on vegetables, spices and herbs such as garlic, onion, chubritza, parsley, mint and dill. This year, Sofia will be represented by the famous restaurant Shades of Red, located in the Grand Hotel Sofia, and its talented chef Joro Ivanov. A graduate of the well-known French Culinary Institute in New York, he has practised his art in France, Germany and Italy. Ivanov has also twice taken part in the prestigious Le Bocuse d’Or competitions. Moreover, he has a special link with Brussels, since he was chef at La Truffe Noire, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Belgian capital. Joro Ivanov will be offering a superb form of fusion cuisine, featuring great Bulgarian flavours.

Related article: Why I am not skinny’ reviewed last years event, EAT! Brussels is Brusselicious.

All images copyright : ©VISITBRUSSELS

Exploring Belgium, from its capital to the seaside.

Today I’d like to introduce you to Giulia, an intern assistant for Sardinian Places, a sister company of Great Escapes. At the end of last year she finished her degree in tourism and is now enjoying adding to that knowledge and putting it in to practice. She’s lived in a number of countries and although she was born  in Italy and was brought up there, she considers herself a citizen of the world. She loves travelling and learning about new cultures. As she says ” Italy is only my starting point, I don’t know where I will end in a future!”

Over to Giulia...

I have spent quite a lot of time in Belgium, over the years, a small but amazing country. That’s why I want to share with you one of my trips I had 2 years ago: Brussels, Bruges and Knokke Heist. I went with a couple of friends who I met during my stay in Spain and we couldn’t have had such a great time anywhere else!

First stop – Brussels

Brussels, the capital,  is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. I was astonished by its architecture, its style and nightlife. It is a city which can offer everything, you can’t be disappointed. It’s always crowded with businessmen in their suits and ties, walking in a rush everyday. Brussels is definitely the heart of business and the European Parliament.

Here’s my recommendations for places to visit and things to eat when you visit Brussels.

Grand Place: it is the heart of the city and one of the most outstanding squares in the North of Europe. It is a great example of the architecture and style of Brussels.

Dèlirium Cafè: Fancy a beer? You shouldn’t skip this traditional bar known for its long list of beers, about  2004 different brands from over 60 countries! Quality guaranteed, as it is one of the pubs recorded in “The Guiness Book of Records”. The whole pub is decorated with colorful trays stuck everywhere. Find it by looking out for a pink elephant at the main entrance, the symbol of the bar.

The Manneke Pis: if you drink lots of beer,  it is obvious you’ll need a toilet. This is what Manneke Pis is doing. It is undoubtedly a landmark and a tourist attraction. You’ll find him across the street from the entrance of Delirium Café.  A legend says that many year ago,  invaders planned to blow up the city walls using explosives and this young boy urinated on the fuse, saving the city.

Brussels Christmas Market: Why don’t you visit the capital during Christmas time? You will feel a cosy and magic Christmas atmosphere. I remember the city full of shining lights, the smell of hot chocolate and hot wine plus happy  music from all the corners. Whatever time of year you go there are some great markets including the daily flower market in Grand Place (every morning, except Mondays) .

Gaufres: or better known as waffles, are a traditional Belgium delicacy. You can have sugar or chocolate on top. We couldn’t resist and we tried one (not only one to be honest..)  at Leonidas.

Croque-monsieur: we were so hungry at the end of day and definitely needed something to recharge our batteries, ready for a night out. A croque-monsieur (grilled ham and cheese sandwich) at “Au bon pain plaisir” and a massive cold beer restored us.

Next stop – Bruges

In Italy, I live near Venice and in Bruges I definitely felt at home, among the canals and the romantic, medieval atmosphere. It was a shame that we spent just one day here, on our way to Knokke Heist. The city is worth more days to discover every wicked corner.

Last but not least – Knokke Heist

A friend of ours has a home in Knokke Heist which is on the coast, about 11 miles from Bruges near Belgium’s border with Holland. So we decided to spend our last few days there, even though we knew nothing about the town.  We ended up having a lots of fun and totally loving it. It offers every kind of sports, from water sports to golf and tennis.  Have you ever tried sailing a catamaran before? Have a go! We really had a great time sailing in the North Sea.

It’s also a town perfect for girls who have a passion for shopping. We really loved the great shops along the lively Lippenslaan, also known for its art galleries and luxury cars!

It is not because we like gambling, but in the Casino Knokke the atmosphere was so wicked and I would recommend it as a great night out.

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5 Unique Dining Experiences in Brussels, Belgium

Travel writer and photographer,  Alison Cornford-Matheson, tells us about 5 unique and unusual ways to enjoy great food in Brussels.

Belgians are passionate about food. With more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than France, it’s easy to eat well in this diverse country. However, when travelers talk of dining in Brussels, it’s all about dark cafés and bustling brasseries, with plenty of chips and Belgian beer. While we’re in favour of these sorts of local experiences, there’s so much more to the food scene in Belgium. If you want to break free of the Belgian stereotypes, here are 5 unique dining experiences available in Brussels.

Eat With Locals

There’s no better way to get insight in to the Brussels food scene than by dining with local foodies. Brussels-based start-up Bookalokal offers the opportunity to do just that. Belgians and expats open their homes to share meals with guests for a fee, much less than you would pay at a restaurant. Offerings range from local Belgian favourites to flavours from around the world. If you’re adventurous, you can go beyond having a simple meal to taking part in a cooking class, a beer pairing evening, even a murder mystery night in full costume! In addition to enjoying a great food experience, you’ll meet fun people and leave with loads of tips on what to do, see and eat in Brussels during your stay.

Eat With a Chef

The popular Brussels catering company, La Britannique, opened a new international themed café, Britxos,  to rave reviews last spring. This summer, while they are undergoing renovations, you have special opportunity to dine chez the head chef, Alex, at a series of pop-up restaurants called The Secret Garden. Like Bookalokal, you’ll have the opportunity to dine with other passionate foodies, both local and from abroad, during these exclusive dinners. You can learn tips and tricks from Chef Alex, as he prepares the meals in front of you, and gain insider foodie knowledge from your fellow diners. The meals are relaxed, convivial and you definitely won’t leave hungry!

Eat in a Prison

Dining in a former prison arsenal may not seem like an elegant experience, but meals at Le Mess are far from a punishment. The menu is seasonal and features traditional Belgian favourites. Local and organic produce is used whenever possible and the dishes are flavourful and sophisticated. The elegant dining room has Philippe Stark designed furniture and a refined yet comfortable atmosphere. However, the tables in the greenhouse are the showstoppers. You can dine amidst the grapevines, whatever the weather.

Eat in a Bank

Like Le Mess, Belgian institution, Belga Queen, repurposes a Brussels 18^th century landmark as a hip and elegant restaurant. This time, the building in question is the former Crédit du Nord bank. Belga Queen fuses contemporary design with traditional building elements, like the dramatic stained glass windows on the ceiling and a plush cigar bar inside the former bank vault. The food is just as luxurious and authentically Belgian. Many menu items even feature Belgian beer on the ingredients list. Seafood lovers can enjoy the oyster bar and a variety of other treats from the sea, while carnivores can feast on Belgian beef and poultry. Vegetarians aren’t an afterthought at Belga Queen, with a variety of five delicious main courses featuring local, seasonal produce.

Eat on a Tram

Imagine the surprised looks of pedestrians while you pass by, on a luxuriously refitted tram, sipping champagne. By far, the most unique way to enjoy a meal in Brussels in on the Tram Experience. Eight times a week, 34 lucky diners enjoy a three-course meal, complete with wine pairings, while riding around Brussels on a converted tram. This is no ordinary meal either. Belgium’s top Michelin-starred chefs have created the menus, featuring innovative and stylish dishes. The tram itself is specially designed for a smooth ride and has coloured mood lighting to set the atmosphere. Don’t forget to save room for dessert by Belgium’s favourite chocolatier, Pierre Marcolini!

Alison Cornford-Matheson is a freelance writer and travel photographer and the founder of Cheeseweb.eu, a resource for expats, locals and travellers in Belgium. She landed in Belgium in 2005 and is passionate about this quirky little country. She loves to discover Belgium’s hidden gems – be they museums, shops, restaurants, castles, gardens or landscapes, and share them through her words and photos. Her passion is travelling the world with her husband, Andrew. She is an AFAR Ambassador and founding member of the PTBA. When not on the road, she loves to spend quiet nights reading travel books and trashy mysteries with her cats and a glass of red wine. You can follow her on Google+, on Twitter as @Acornn, on Pintrest or check out her Facebook Page.