I visited Mons and also Brussels while in Belgium with one of my daughters.
Mons: A Charming City
Mons is in southwestern Belgium, about 45 miles south of Brussels. It is a charming city, noticeably clean and very pretty, with a city center that is downright charming. French is the spoken language in Mons.
Belgian waffles certainly lived up to my high expectations! My research tells me that Belgian waffles are different from waffles in other countries because they’re made with yeasted batter and pearl sugar. They also have deeper pockets, the better for filling with your ingredients of choice. A variety of toppings were offered to choose from at the waffle shop we went to. I chose brown sugar. Oh, my…deliciousness in every bite!
Belgian chocolate also “measured up”! It was decadently delicious! We brought some back for gifts for family. (After all, who doesn’t like chocolate, especially when it is the best of the best!)
French fries in Belgium are like none other! They are amazingly wonderful. They are, I have found out through a bit of research, twice-fried, so that they’re extra-crispy outside and soft and perfect inside. Belgian French fries are served with not catsup but mayonnaise! Try it, you may be surprised: it’s good!
Brussels
After moving my daughter into her apartment in Mons where she would be living for a while, and exploring and enjoying Mons for a few days, we travelled to Brussels to spend the next few days of our time together.
Besides being the capital city of Belgium, Brussels has also been called the Capital of Europe, because it is the headquarters of several different international institutions including the EU, and NATO. In Brussels, people speak mostly French and Flemish Dutch. (In some other parts of Belgium, German is spoken; it’s the 3rd language spoken in Belgium after French and Flemish Dutch.) Brussels is a top international cultural center with many art, dance, and music festivals ongoing throughout the year; and many museums, and art and cultural centers. It also is a gastronomical center, with—fun fact—138 restaurants per square mile!
The Grand Place in Brussels is an enormous square surrounded by beautiful, elaborate, grand buildings. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From what I’ve read, the Grand Place started at the end of the 11th century as an open marketplace, and it just continued to grow through the centuries!
I opted for chicken pie at this restaurant. It was huge and delicious! Note the French fries, which are served with most meals, and the mayonnaise served alongside.
My Favorites
There were many favorites from this Belgium trip, one being just being with my daughter, of course, on an adventure! As a food connoisseur (and I’ll admit I just Googled a fancy name for a foodie) my favorite experiences with my daughter in Belgium were the good food, chocolates, and those out-of-this-world waffles!
And with this blog post at its end, I think might just do a bit of research and try to make some Belgian waffles right now!
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