Yes, which part of me would you like? I have been in Brussels five years now and every working day have walked past a Brussels Grill without feeling the remotest desire to eat there. The red-and-yellow steer horns sign, the menu with its big colour pictures, all had the appeal of a Berni Inn steakhouse circa 1980. Even when the terrace was heaving on a hot day, its location right on a very busy main road did not tempt me.
The other day I couldn't avoid going there for a group lunch. Most of us, being girlies, had salads. Which turned out to be amazing - copious, fresh, varied, and good value. I had the salade aux lardons, with comes with a generous helping of bacon bits and a barely boiled egg sitting on a dressed green salad. The salad dressing is delicious and the leaves are fresh and crunchy. Two colleagues had the goat's cheese salad and the seafood salad, which both pronounced to their satisfaction, confirmed by their empty plates at the end of the meal. A couple of other colleagues went for steaks, and demolished them. The meat is Argentinian and is, apparently, excellent.
It was one of those days when I had a craving for chips, which - together with being able to fill out my tax return unaided - makes me realize I am becoming quite Belgian. The large portion of frites - easily enough for two - came in a bowl and were excellent. Our waiter was a speedy wag with a constant line in chat in French and English, and managed to keep all 10 of us happy despite the terrace being absolutely chocker on the first really hot day of the summer. The terrace has canopies if the heat is too much. Sadly there's not much they can do about the location, right on the Avenue du Boulevard by one of the exits to Rogier metro station, but I'm told the basement dining room is very pleasant.
Brussels Grill is a franchise operation, and there are other branches at Porte de Namur and Place de Brouckère, handily placed for the UGC cinemas. The Boston Cafe at Porte de Namur and Raphael just off boulevard Anspach are also part of the same group.
Salads cost around 8.50 euros which is exceptional good value. Steaks a bit more expensive but not outrageous. With a soft drink I think my share came to about 17 euros.
I'd definitely go back again, and try the meat next time. I'd recommend the Brussels Grill for lunch on a work day, or a pre- or post-cinema dinner. It would even be suitable for dinner for a big group where you didn't want to waste too much time over choosing your dishes. Not really suitable for a romantic wedding anniversary dinner, it doesn't have the charm of Meet Meat, but if you're out shopping and get to the top of the Rue Neuve, it's just across the street, under the Sheraton Hotel.
BRUSSELS GRILL
avenue du Boulevard 21
1210 St Josse
(Metro: Rogier)
place de Brouckère 21
1000 Brussels
(Metro: Brouckère)
avenue du Toison d'Or 7
1050 Ixelles
(Metro: Porte de Namur)
Website: http://www.brussels-grill.be/EN/Restaurants.php
The other day I couldn't avoid going there for a group lunch. Most of us, being girlies, had salads. Which turned out to be amazing - copious, fresh, varied, and good value. I had the salade aux lardons, with comes with a generous helping of bacon bits and a barely boiled egg sitting on a dressed green salad. The salad dressing is delicious and the leaves are fresh and crunchy. Two colleagues had the goat's cheese salad and the seafood salad, which both pronounced to their satisfaction, confirmed by their empty plates at the end of the meal. A couple of other colleagues went for steaks, and demolished them. The meat is Argentinian and is, apparently, excellent.
It was one of those days when I had a craving for chips, which - together with being able to fill out my tax return unaided - makes me realize I am becoming quite Belgian. The large portion of frites - easily enough for two - came in a bowl and were excellent. Our waiter was a speedy wag with a constant line in chat in French and English, and managed to keep all 10 of us happy despite the terrace being absolutely chocker on the first really hot day of the summer. The terrace has canopies if the heat is too much. Sadly there's not much they can do about the location, right on the Avenue du Boulevard by one of the exits to Rogier metro station, but I'm told the basement dining room is very pleasant.
Brussels Grill is a franchise operation, and there are other branches at Porte de Namur and Place de Brouckère, handily placed for the UGC cinemas. The Boston Cafe at Porte de Namur and Raphael just off boulevard Anspach are also part of the same group.
Salads cost around 8.50 euros which is exceptional good value. Steaks a bit more expensive but not outrageous. With a soft drink I think my share came to about 17 euros.
I'd definitely go back again, and try the meat next time. I'd recommend the Brussels Grill for lunch on a work day, or a pre- or post-cinema dinner. It would even be suitable for dinner for a big group where you didn't want to waste too much time over choosing your dishes. Not really suitable for a romantic wedding anniversary dinner, it doesn't have the charm of Meet Meat, but if you're out shopping and get to the top of the Rue Neuve, it's just across the street, under the Sheraton Hotel.
BRUSSELS GRILL
avenue du Boulevard 21
1210 St Josse
(Metro: Rogier)
place de Brouckère 21
1000 Brussels
(Metro: Brouckère)
avenue du Toison d'Or 7
1050 Ixelles
(Metro: Porte de Namur)
Website: http://www.brussels-grill.be/EN/Restaurants.php
