The Wandering Chocoholic

An early start today, since both Yannic and Marie had to leave early for work. I metroed into the downtown area with Marie, and after she left for the office, I set out to accomplish my day’s business: a chocolate-tasting tour of Brussels. Those of you who know me will realize that this wasn’t exactly a hardship for me.

I started off once again at the Grand Place, making my way through the side streets, tasting as I went along. Some shops are clearly for tourists only, selling the same brands of chocolate as you’d find in the grocery stores, but for marked up prices. I gave those a miss, and instead, concentrated on the premium brands and the homemade independent shops. They ranged from the somewhat silly “Chocolat Artisanale”, where you can buy chocolate beer bottles, chocolate mobile phones and chocolate cars, to the over-the-top posh Pierre Marcolini, lavishly decorated like a fancy jewellery store, with plush carpeting, multiple stories, and fancy display cases, to everything in between. The ubiquitous “praline” is the defining chocolate of Belgium, and is available in classic and creative flavours every few feet. I found my favourite chocolate seashells at Corné, which Yannic informs me is the official supplier for the King of Belgium. He has good taste. At the Cafe Tasse, I had rich cinnamon-flavoured hot chocolate, served with a side of 77% cocoa bars and chocolate-covered coffee beans. I highly recommend Brussels to all chocoholics.

In between tasting, I managed to squeeze in a few cultural sites and attractions. The Eglise St-Nicolas and the Notre-dame-de-la-Chapelle can now be added to my ABC list. And the legendary Manneken Pis, a tiny statue of a boy, erm, relieving himself in a fountain, was easy to find due to the massive groups of Japanese tourists all jockeying for a photo position. Legend has it that a 12th century duke’s son was caught urinating in the middle of a battlefield, and was commemorated as a statue for some reason. Politicians and heads of government who visit Brussels typically donate costumes for the statue, and its wardrobe now has over 400 different outfits (including an Elvis suit).

After meeting up with Marie, we devoted the rest of the afternoon to such quotidian activities as laundry and cooking dinner, which we’re about to eat. Later, we’re heading out to see a movie at the Galéries St-Hubert, which should be fun. I’ll now leave you all to your watering mouths, and I promise to bring some chocolate home as a souvenir.