My daughter is staying out in the suburbs of Brussels - she has the opportunity to go into the city for a dinner tomorrow night. She will take the train in - I have never been to Brussels (have not idea how large the city is) but she has asked for a restaurant recommendation. I am thinking not too far from the train station and easy to find. She does not want something high end / cutting edge cuisine - just cozy atmoshere and good food - mussles, frites and beer will be fine.

Central Statiion is only a few blocks from Grand Place. Here is a very good choice for mussles, frites and beer. Despite being right on the Grand Place, it is not a tourist trap, the food is very good. Cozy, casual, and not expensive.

http://www.restaurant-het-kelderke.b...derke/?lang=en

Many, many restaurants have mussels on the menu, as it's a local specialty. If your daughter is game she can try the restaurants in Rue des Bouchers / Beenhouwerstraat - some people are critical of the hundreds of restaurants on this street but you can have good experiences too (I've had some). And there is quite a good atmosphere there. Some people are put off because people tout outside the restaurants. Just ignore them and make your own choice based on the menus on display.

If she wants an inexpensive experience, there is a restaurant there that is so successful that it has become a massive, successful chain in France and the UK, Chez Léon:

http://www.chezleon.be/index.asp?intro

It's actually quite an old restaurant; quality is quite OK - consistent if nothing else.

Lavandula

If you feel like a splurge, here's a famous restaurant just off the Grande Place, one of Brussels best and so not one of the many tourist traps:

http://www.auxarmesdebruxelles.com/en/

OK, maybe that is too high end for her requirements - but check it out...