Hi guys!

This is my first post but ive been really impressed when reading posts and replies by the quality of information and the detail.

My partner and I are going to Bruges next week for a romantic break for our anniversary.

I would welcome any restaurant recommendations in the mid- price range, and particularly those with a romantic or calm atmosphere.

thanks in advance!
Clair

You are going to the right place for a romantic getaway.

I will only tell you this but I had a salad at the Flemish Pot that knocked my socks off. It was topped with a melted slice of goat cheese that had been sauteed in butter and honey. Honestly, it qualified as an aphrodisiac - could not stop saying yum and my face turned all red....I asked the chef if it affected everyone like that and he just laughed!

Fresh natural grain loaves of bread were brought to the table in brown paper bags to keep the crust crisp and the bread warm until we were ready for it. The remainder of the meal was just as delicious but it's hard to remember anything beyond that salad.

The chefs cooked and served when we were there for dinner a couple of years ago and they were just lovely people.

More info on it: The Flemish Pot (a.k.a. The Little Pancake House) is a cute restaurant serving delicious, inexpensive pancake meals (savory and sweet) and homemade wafels for lunch. Then at 18:00, enthusiastic chefs Mario and Rik stow their waffle irons and pull out a traditional menu of vintage Flemish plates ( €9-16.50 dinner menu, daily 10:00–22:00, just off Geldmuntstraat at Helmstraat 3, tel. 050-340-086).

If you take the bike tour, the guide will take you to a bakery/lunch place where the locals sit at long tables and have the most enjoyable coffee, homemade pastries and sandwiches/salads while chatting. I'll try to find the name for you.

What can be more romantic than feeding each other Belgian chocolate from the Trufflehaus (sp?)We bought a kilo and kept it in the room while we were there! The Best chocolate in the world IMO! Honestly, all flavors! Too much..

There is also a little coffee place on the main shopping street which I'll also try to find for you. They serve you a cup of coffee on a tray surrounded by a chocolate, a tiny scoop of ice cream and a tiny cookie! Gorgeous presentation skills...

Hot Belgian Waffles from a street kiosk on a November day! What could be better?

The people are an absolute delight! The shopping excellent and I challenge you to find a cleaner place anywhere! They pick up their trash TWICE a day.

I'd like to go back there just to use the laundromat. My clothes were never so clean before or since coming out of that washer!

Thanks for asking this question clairlouise! We are planning our first trip to Bruges as well, so a fine restaurant was on our list of things to do. And kakalena, you've sold me on the Flemish Pot restaurant - I'm making a note of their contact info and can't wait to try out that melted goat cheese salad!

clairlouise - have you found a B&B or hotel in Bruges yet? Would you be able to recommend a place?

Here is the bike tour group.

Quasimundo

http://www.quasimundo.com/

Thanks so much for the info Kakalena!!!My mouth is watering already,mmm!
Bowen, we are booked to stay at the hotel Heritage in Bruges, i think its quite central, Im not sure of prices though as my partner booked and paid for it. if you look the hotel up on expedia or any travel site though the rooms look gorgeous.this time next week we'll be there, i cant wait!

Our son and his wife arranged a special at this restaurant. It came highly recommended by the people who operated the b & b where we stayed. Here is the website for the resto:

http://www.dijver.be/

Great food; great ambience; great service...we were very happy with the whole evening!

Another vote for Den Dyver...my favorite restaurant anywhere. The food is excellent as is the service. We've eaten there 4 times in 3 trips and I'm headed back again over the Christmas holidays.

beanweb, I thought of you when I saw the title of this thread. I recollect your writing about dining at Den Dyver on a new year's eve; it sounded enchanting. My wife and I have only eaten there once, but it was a wonderful experience. The food was delicious, the hospitality warm, and the service perfect.

Anselm

Hi clairlouise ... thanks for letting me know about the Hotel Heritage. I checked it out and Wow - it really does look fantastic! But, unfortunately for me, a bit out of our budget since we will be paying for three rooms (four adults and three teens). I'm narrowing my search and have posted a request for feedback here today for the Number 11 B&B and the Hotel Montanus, so we're very close to making a decision and our visit to Brugge a reality! And, I share your excitement for your trip next week! We will be there at the end of December - YAY ! Have a wonderful trip - I look forward to your trip report when you return!

Try Marike von Brugge for a lovely meal. It is near a big clock tower (I THINK it had a clock..). The restaurant is dark and romantic (smoking in the front part - non in the back) Wonderful cheese croquettes, mussels and salmon! And the toilet! When you get up, the whole toilet seat revolves, gets washed, dried, and returns to its place!!

Good memory, Anselm! That New Year's meal still remains my top dining experience of all time.

The service and presentation from Den Dyver has also inspired us at home -- we just hosted our 3rd "gourmet" beer dinner last night...so much fun to pretend like we're having an evening at Den Dyver.

We had a wonderful meal at a place called ( I think ) Bistro den Hazaar, which had Flemish stew to DIE for. I still think about that stew!

my wife and i ate at De Torre restaurant right on the Groenerei (Green Canal) address is Langestraat 8, tele: 050/34.29.46. it was great! the food and drink was very good and the scenery beautiful. specialties are grilled meats, regional dishes, fish, mussels, omelets, etc. and reasonable prices... check it out!