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Brussels travel TV video! Chocolate-making lesson, Rene Magritte museum, cool Belgian restaurants.

san restaurant brussels bruxelles

I’m very excited to share my latest travel video with you — about the vibrant culture of Brussels, Belgium! 

In my view, Brussels is one of the best places in Europe to be a young creative. The city’s relatively low rents and large number of galleries have shaped a vibrant community for artists.

My team and I captured Belgian food, fashion, and festivals in this new travel show episode, published on Business Insider. Please take a few moments to watch it here and above. Did my “chocolate dress dance’ make you smile?

(Produced by Borderless Media, and all these photos are by them too).

brussels short term apartment rental

Let’s take a deeper look at the travel attractions we featured in our episode, including two top restaurants, and museums dedicated to Rene Magritte (Surrealist master) and comic books. 

(Above, I’m relaxing at Charles Home apartments. Loved staying in this hip abode, right in the historic district.)

nut fruit chocolates

Perhaps Belgium is most famous for its “chocolat.” To my delight, I got to learn how to make these delicacies by hand.

My film team and I went to visit one of the best chocolatiers in the city – Laurent Gerbaud — for a sweet cooking lesson. (Address: 2 D rue Ravenstein, Brussels 1000, Belgium)

salon de chocolat chocolate dress

I was thrilled to be the apprentice of this local master. He surprised me by asking: “Would you like to put on a chocolate dress?” Oui, naturellement!

Laurent had made this design for the Salon de Chocolat, which had a runway show with models in edible haute couture. This corset and bell skirt are made of brown fabric — and entirely covered in chocolate creations.

edible chocolate fashion, dress

In our Brussels travel video, you can see me sashaying down the streets, and letting passersby eat chocolates from my skirt. Each of these edible disks is attached with string.

laurent gerbaud chocolatier

Back inside, it was time to learn how to make Belgian chocolates. Laurent a true artisan who creates everything by hand. He taught me the process from start to finish (with many tastings along the way).

First, I ran a chocolate mold under a stream of liquid chocolate. Then, I had to quickly press toppings into my squares before they set. As you can see, I had many high quality ingredients to choose from: pistachios, berries, ginger and more.

brussels handmade artisan chocolates

Laurent Gerbaud’s chocolates are melt in your mouth magnificent. This is as fresh and gourmet as it gets — and we got to take home several bags of our own creations. 

His chocolaterie is open to anyone who would like a chocolate making and tasting experience. I hope you seek him out.

surrealism art museum

Now that our chocolate cravings were satisfied, it was time to step into the Rene Magritte Museum. I knew I was in for a surreal experience: this is the world’s largest collection of the Belgian artist’s works.

(I’m wearing a Miffy sweatshirt – you can find it on my shop – and Black Milk leggings.)

brussels modern art museum

The Magritte Museum is dedicated to the work of the Belgian surrealist artist, René Magritte. (Address: Rue de la Régence 3, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium). It’s located next to the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, as well as other sights in the City Center, so you can easily spend a day wandering around this area.

rene magritte musee

Hats off to René Magritte, whose surrealist visions were ahead of his time. I’m sure you have seen his famous works featuring pipes, clouds, bowler hats, apples and other “regular” objects — but in dreamy and bizarre contexts.

rene magritte bowler hat

In addition to his Surrealist masterworks, there are rare collections of his early Impressionist paintings, photography, and experimental films. The museum displays about 200 original Magritte works from the early to mid 20th century.

rene magritte coffins painting

I admire his thought-provoking surrealism. This seeming simple painting (of two coffins, bent and seated as if they were having a conversation) is imbued with wit and meaning.

magritte rare works, pig

I also enjoyed seeing Magritte’s lesser-known works in different styles, such as this pig in a suit.

rene magritte gift shop, store

“Ceci n’est pas une pipe” is one of his most recognised images. If you’re intrigued by this artist and Surrealism, I encourage you to check out this book about Rene Magritte

brussels city center park

Design is everywhere in Brussels. We loved the old world architecture of the city center.

(My leggings are Black Milk.)

charles home apartments

And how cool is the modern interior decor of Charles Home apartments, where we stayed during our Brussels trip.

The location couldn’t be beat —  the apartment was right by Central Station. Our Montagne two-bedroom had a huge kitchen and dining area, where we could make coffee and share late-night feasts of waffles and French fries. 

brussels design hotels, aparthotel

Everything was provided in the apartment, including free Wifi, high end TV and speakers, and all amenities. Each room was done in tasteful, contemporary design: wood floors, a cozy fireplace, geometric lights.

Charles Home brussels Furnished Apartment rentals

Audrey Hepburn smiled at us near the entrance, and Bridget Bardot lounged over my bed.

I encourage you to stay at an apartment rental instead of a hotel, for a more local and spacious experience. If you’re coming to Brussels, check out the fabulous Charles Home apartments

comic book musuem brussels smurfs

As you can tell, there’s so much art to see in Brussels. I posed with the Smurfs at the Belgian Comics Art Museum, which is housed in an Art Nouveau building. The exhibits celebrate both international and local comic book characters, such as Tintin..

(I’m wearing a jacket by The Kooples  and sunglasses by Moat House Eyewear. More from this museum below.)

belgian comic strip center

The Belgian Comic Strip Center or Comics Art Museum (Address: Rue des Sables 20, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium) was designed in 1905 by world famous architect Victor Horta. The ceilings and curves are Art Nouveau at its best.

comic book museum belgium

My friend Eremi posed under the red hat of Spirou, one of the most popular classic Franco-Belgian comics (which debuted in 1938).

brussels comics art museum

The lobby has giant sculptures of characters, including Lucky Luke on a horse. Inside, the displays celebrate comics art from past to present, from artists around the world.

tintin milou snowy dog

I’m sure you are familiar with Tintin, the intrepid journalist who encountered mysteries around the globe. He’s the creation of Belgian illustrator Herge. (If you haven’t read any Tintin books, get started here!)

tintin french books

The gift shop has lots of Tintin items, as well as collections from other Belgian characters (The Smurfs, Dickie, Little Nemo).

hipster cool restaurant brussels

I leave you with a run-down of the magnificent food scene of Brussels. I’m standing inside the cheery San Restaurant(Address: Rue de Flandre 19 Brussels, Belgium)

San is one of the most exciting new restaurants in the city. The Michelin-starred chef, Sang Hoon, serves up every dish in a bowl, to be eaten with a custom-designed spoon.

san restaurant bowls, molecular gastronomy

The chef only uses seasonal produce, and likes to play with molecular gastronomy. In this colorful bowl, he delivered creamy, complex flavors that I never imagined could come from vegetables. He also combined cauliflower and cod with broth, bringing out unexpectedly subtle and delicious flavors.

la quincaillerie brussels

Belgium is also known for its world-class seafood. I ate a five-star meal at La Quincaillerie, a former ironmonger’s shop designed in the Art Nouveau style, with a giant clock over the bar.

(Address: Rue du Page 45, 1050 Ixelles, Belgium)

brussels seafood, best restaurants

In addition to its famous mussels, or “moules,” we tried an incredible seafood dish on mash. The risotto, ravioli and steak were all perfection.

belgian gourmet waffles

And Belgian waffles are a must-have. At La Quincaillerie, they were served hot with a drizzle of maple syrup, and a scoop of ice cream in the “Mikado” style.

maison dandoy brussels waffles

A few other food recommendations. Try Maison Dandoy, oven fresh biscuits that melt in your mouth. They’re shaped like hearts, too.

neuhaus chocolate brussels

You’ll never lack for chocolate in Brussels. There are dozens of shops in every major area, especially the City Center and Grand Place.

Neuhaus is one of the famous local makers, and their gift boxes are elegantly decorated.

Patrick Roger chocolatier brussels

Do my eyes deceive me… or is that a chocolate gorilla in the window?

That’s a hint at the vibe inside Patrick Roger Chocolatier. (Address: Place du Grand Sablon 43, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium)

bowler hat shaped chocolates

The shop turns chocolates into works of art, like these surreal bowler hats. I think Magritte would approve.

designer chocolates Patrick Roger belgium

Patrick Roger’s shop has a futuristic design, which matches the sleek boxes and sculptural presentation of his sweets.

bruxelles chocolat shops

Merci to Visit Belgium, for taking such great care of us!

If you’d like to learn more about the city, come check out our travel video. Can you spot David Bowie?

32 Comments

  1. MelissaR
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 3:04 am | Permalink

    I love this SO SO much!!! <3 <3 <3

  2. Bananarama
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 3:08 am | Permalink

    (^౪^) j’adore!

  3. bbanne
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 3:08 am | Permalink

    That’s great

  4. natalia
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 3:09 am | Permalink

    This is a kick ass video *O*

  5. Kai
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 7:14 am | Permalink

    Tintin! Snowy!

  6. Ziam
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 7:14 am | Permalink

    Thank u for writing about Brussels.
    Ziam

  7. Max
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 10:09 pm | Permalink

    Soooo jealous this girl travels all over and shes a talented writer!

  8. Jeremie
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 10:09 pm | Permalink

    very nice :)

  9. Martn
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 10:10 pm | Permalink

    amazing amazing

  10. Neuhaus
    Posted August 2, 2016 at 10:10 pm | Permalink

    Thank you for sharing this article with us.

  11. sara
    Posted August 3, 2016 at 5:07 pm | Permalink

    I like your sweater so muuuuuch

    http://7-sevendays.blogspot.gr/

  12. Patrick
    Posted August 4, 2016 at 5:32 am | Permalink

    very cool!

  13. CGar
    Posted August 4, 2016 at 5:32 am | Permalink

    you look stunning!

  14. MMMElodie
    Posted August 4, 2016 at 5:33 am | Permalink

    i watched your videos i love!

  15. Brian
    Posted August 6, 2016 at 10:28 pm | Permalink

    Happy #FashionFriday!

  16. Pariat
    Posted August 6, 2016 at 10:28 pm | Permalink

    A voir!

  17. Nataly
    Posted August 6, 2016 at 10:29 pm | Permalink

    Awesome, sweetheart!

  18. Zelia
    Posted August 6, 2016 at 10:29 pm | Permalink

    Been following you for many years as a Tokyo/fashion fan :) welcome to my adoption city!

  19. Pat
    Posted August 6, 2016 at 10:29 pm | Permalink

    awesome fashion pieces!

  20. Agnes Groonwald
    Posted December 31, 2019 at 10:33 pm | Permalink

    Brussels, you’re so…unique! I didn’t think I’d say this, but I’m DYING to go to this coffin bar… ;)

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