A Taste of Belgium on Main Street

Truly at the crossroads of Europe, Belgium has evolved by incorporating various European influences into its own culture. Belgium is a small country roughly the size of Maryland, yet displays regional differences in language, cuisine, and culture. With a rich history and diversity of culture, Belgian cuisine can be sophisticated with many highly rated restaurants throughout the country.

Known for their brewing prowess, the brasseries in Belgium serve an important local role providing food, wine, and of course beer to the residents. With the emergence of , Sarasota now has its own authentic Belgium Brasserie.

The popular foods of Belgium are chocolate, waffles, beer, French fries and mussels. All of these foods and some others are nicely presented on the menu at Brasserie Belge. There truly is something for everyone on this menu. For our meals we had the following:

•  Chevre: Two warm goat chesse pillows encased in puff pastry on a bed of romaine, apple and nuts.  Honey vinaigrette.  A house specialty.  $12.00 Rich creamy sweet and  very filling; a meal onto itself
•  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 in an enamel pot.  Mariniere (celery, onions, butter)  $18.00 Fresh plump mussels, deliciously fresh broth great for dipping bread
• Vol-au-vent:  Classic Brasserie Belge recipe of creamy chicken and mushrooms in a light pastry.  Served with Belgian fries.  $13.00
  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, great accompaniment to a salad
• Belgian Chocolate Mousse:  $6.00
  Rich, dark, Belgian chocolate, wonderfully decadent.

All of the food was well prepared and presented in a simple yet artful way. The wait staffs were knowledgeable, helpful and attentive. Brasserie Belge offers a full bar service with Belgian beer a specialty. We tried the Leffe draft which was excellent.

I would say the mission at Brasserie Belge is ambitious and noteworthy. Just like the brasseries in Europe, Brasserie Belge is serving from 7am-1am weekdays and 4pm-1am weekends.

Looking for something a little different in your Sarasota dining experience? Try . I am certain you will be pleased.

Brasserie Belge
1990 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

941-706-1944

http://brasseriebelge.com/