Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Do you have young kids but often feel unable to enjoy a meal out as a family? If so, it’s a feeling many will be familiar with, unfortunately.
It could be because you have no one to look after the little ones while you have that all-important “me time”. But it also has something to do with the harsh fact that just too few restaurants here make any effort for people with young children
Ask yourself? Where do you know that bothers to provide any sore of recreational facilities for toddlers while you and yours sit down to a meal out?
Well, there is one place on the outskirts of Brussels that does just that. It’s called La Laiterie and it boasts excellent facilities. For children, there is a totally separate play area and also a place where babies can be changed. The brightly coloured large playroom is very well equipped with toys and other items.
This is the owner’s way of ensuring adults can relax and enjoy themselves while also being close to their children. While the kids are doing their thing, mum and dad can sample some of the lovely food this terrific eatery also offers.
But, even here, of course, the children are not forgotten and there’s a nice, and, at just €14 per child, offering. The generous two courses on the kids’ menu consist of either a meat boulettes with tomato sauce and fries or a fish finger croquette and mashed potato or steak, fries and salad with ice cream for dessert.
Moving to the adults, the emphasis here is very much on meat and if there’s any doubt about that look out for the near-full-size replica of a cow that sits towards the back of the resto.
The specialities are mostly meat, including that Belgian classic, tartare (perhaps best enjoyed during the warmer summer months?). Also worth noting are the great selection of steaks, which at this restaurant, are specially cooked with charcoal which is one way of preserving the taste and flavour (it work: they are delicious).
It is worth pointing out that not only is this restaurant child friendly but it also does its bit to promote regional products and food in Belgium.
The menu, irrespective of the season, is packed with dishes that reflect the culinary “speciality” of a particular Belgian region or province. There are, for example, boulettes from Liege along with carbonades, vol au vent and stoemp, all classic Belgian dishes of course. The card also has some nice fish options, a few dishes for veggies and the suggestions list (currently include good winter dishes like choucroute garnie along with kidneys and filet de biche) is changed every month.
Considering the excellent quality (which also applies to the wine card and some lovely draught Belgian beers served from a quite splendid zinc bar), the prices are remarkably reasonable.
This restaurant, which can seat about 70 inside and also has a fantastic terrace in warmer weather, is housed in a building that, unbelievably, dates back as far as 1812 – a full 18 years before modern Belgium was even founded.
The outside has the look of an old country inn but step inside and you will find a rather swish, modern-looking establishment, the result of a major refurbishment undertaken by the current owners who took over four years ago. They have tried to modernise the place (there’s a new entrance, for instance) while retaining its delightful olde worlde charm.
The ambience is relaxed but sophisticated at the same time.If you fancy treating yourself to a lovely meal (and may want to take the kids along too) then head for this place, located in the green south of Brussels.
With plentiful and easy parking,it also makes for a pleasant excursion from the hustle and bustle of Brussels. And don’t forget to look out for that cow.
La Laiterie
Ch. D’Alsemberg 3, Linkebeek
02 378 4468
