Brasserie Belge defines Belgian cuisine

When it comes to Belgian food, most people think of chocolate and beer. While it is true that both are integral parts of Belgian cuisine, there is a great deal more out there to experience. Truly at the crossroads of Europe, Belgian cuisine has evolved by incorporating various European influences into its own style of preparation and presentation. It has been said that Belgian cuisine incorporates the quality of French preparation with the heartiness of German quantity --- in other words, large portions of great food!

With a commitment to authenticity, Brasserie Belge serves Euro-styled Belgian cuisine in a casual yet upscale setting. Offering four distinct areas for seating --- the dining room, bar, piano lounge and alfresco --- and a wide assortment of appetizers, salads, seafood, meat and European specialties, Brasserie Belge is the perfect spot for casual or more refined dining.

For our meals we chose the following:

•  Chèvre salad:  Two warm goat cheese pillows encased in puff pastry on a bed of romaine, apple and nuts, dressed with honey vinaigrette.  A house specialty.  Petite $8.00, entree $14.00
  Rich, creamy, sweet and very filling; a meal unto itself. 
• Salad Niçoise:  Mixed greens, French green beans, potatoes, anchovies, hard boiled egg, tomato, onions, capers, tuna, peppers and mustard dressing.  Petite $9.00 Entree $16.00
  One of my favorite salads: fresh greens, great presentation, classic combination of flavors.
  
• Tuna in Peach:  A trio of peach halves filled with tuna fish salad and served with Belgian fries.  $9.00
  A great combination of sweet peaches and tuna fish. Also included were a hard boiled egg, tomato and onions.
• Cassolette de Moules:  Mussels steamed with celery, onion and butter and served à la marinière in an enamel pot.  $18.00
  Fresh, plump mussels in deliciously fresh broth of celery, onions and butter that was great for dipping bread.
• Vol-au-Vent:  Classic Brasserie Belge recipe of creamy chicken and mushrooms in a light pastry. Served with Belgian fries.  $17.00
  Think delicious, gourmet, inside-out chicken pot pie.
• Cheese Croquettes:  Two per order in the classic preparation.  $8.00
  Outside firm and crusty, inside gooey.
• Lobster Croquettes:  Two per order, traditionally prepared.  $12.00
  Rich and creamy; a great accompaniment to a salad.
•  Vol-au-Vent de Poisson:  Classic Brasserie Belge recipe of monkfish and creamy mushrooms in a light pastry, served with Belgian fries.  $23.00
  A very nice presentation of fresh fish and a rich, flavorful sauce, with added texture from the pastry crust; very good indeed.
• Belgian Chocolate Mousse: $6.00
  Rich, dark Belgian chocolate; wonderfully decadent. 

Brasserie Belge offers a full bar service, beer, wine and soft drinks to accompany your meal. In true brasserie style, nice selections of Belgian beers (draught and bottle) are available. We tried the Leffe draught which was excellent. The wait staff are very friendly, attentive and efficient, often checking back to make certain everything was fine with the meal.

I have often been asked, “Where can I go to try something different from most restaurants?”  My answer always includes Brasserie Belge; to date, no one has voiced disappointment. Try the Belge; I am certain you will like it.

Brasserie Belge
1990 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-735-7578

http://brasseriebelge.com/