Area Dansaert in Brussels

Nong Cha
This is a great little tea shop with a selection of rare and fresh teas direct from tea growers in China. It is possible to reserve an appointment for a group to experience a tea tasting as thorough and interesting as wine while also learning about Chinese tea culture - growing regions, farming, fermentation, classification, as well as preparation at the table, etc. The desserts that accompany the tea tasting are as top notch as any good patissserie and infused with tea. A fantastic experience for anyone who loves or is intrigued by tea!

ComoComo
Indeed original concept... then again if you've travelled around, you indeed realise this concept has existed for years in sushi restaurants elsewhere. The ambience and staff were awsome, the wine was very good at an OK price (hell, I'd go back there just for the wine), but you don't really go there for the food - usual *fried* up iberic mix.

Cosmeticary
Good range of off-beat brands of cosmetics, toiletries (such as London-based natural REN skincare, Stella McCartney) and perfumes (L'Agent Provocateur) make this a worthwhile place to browse. Prices are high but you are paying for something you won't find anywhere else in the city. The make-up range is so paltry as to be pathetic - the store is best as a skincare haven.

Frédéric Blondeel
A favorite with grannies and tourists but their rich and creamy hot chocolate should please most chocoholics. The ice creams, with their cones coated in molten chocolate in front of your eyes, are also worth checking out. But the chocolates are unfortunately disappointing - some flavors, such as the spices and herbs, don't really work and pale in comparison to masterly (and tasty) confections from Marcolini. Think of it more as a chocolate-cafe than a chocolate shop.

De Markten
Good food (check out the hummous sandwich, yum), great location but incredibly slow service. Fine if you've got all night to wait for your beer and all the early hours to plead for the bill. A good lunch location but for the evening, only the very patient should apply...

Chine Collection - Bourse
Overpriced sequined chiffon dresses and wispy mohair cardigans for the ladies who lunch. Lovely clothes but the prices and frosty staff are very off putting. If you want to browse the designer and have someone else's credit card to burn, better check out the spacious and well-laid out Avenue Louise store or the fuller collection available in Antwerp.

Comus & Gasterea
The best ice-cream store in Brussels by far, and the queues out the shop door on a Sunday afternoon prove it. Whether it's a fresh-tasting strawberry ice, a divine caramel sale (butterscotch) or a brave choice such as Marrakech couscous spices, Roquefort or olive noire, C&G makes it damn hard to return to supermarket ice-cream tubs. The best thing about the ice creams is that they are not too sweet - the cafe brulé (burnt coffee) is a particular winner on this score. Not to be missed. Only thing is that C&G's popularity is now it's biggest problem. It's a one-man operation and the ice creams do run out so try to get there during the week or early on a Sunday afternoon. He is not usually open on a Saturday afternoon despite what the opening hours above say. The ice creams are also available in some delicatessens (the fromagerie on Vieux Marche aux Grains opposite De Markten) and restaurants in the area.

Amadéo Bar
The owner of Amadeo treated me and my friends like crap when we were there, up to the point that we decided to get up and leave even before placing our order. It was a friends birthday and he certainly didn't make it the most memorable. I would never go to this place again, they might have good food but their attitude towards their customers makes me actively discourage people of going here.

Vishandel Noordzee
excellent seafood/fish store in the heart of Brussels, really nice staff, delicious fish and seafood, everything is fresh and there's also a bar where you can try out some goodies and a cute little store which i never leave without some good fresh fish; don't miss this one!

Mitra
At first, this restaurant is not very tempting… very kitsch, and the fact that the room is almost empty does not inspire much. But at last, that was an excellent surprise! Environment, very calm, soft music, and a service more than perfect; super pleasant and nice, discrete, and smiling, and very fast. That was good, the portions are not disproportionate, and the details of the presentation are neat. Thai Cuisine refined and colourful.