Timeless star-patterned tiles, street photography lining the brick walls, cool little knick-knacks scattered about… Located down an equally adorable side street, Bistrot Mentin is a cute little joint which reminds all the haters that Liege is without a doubt the Mosan capital of unfussy, well-made eats. As an ambassador of the genre, the unfazed boss Marie Corthouts (aka Mama Lova Lova) sure knows her shizz, as she singlehandedly works the show. Earning our affection, she sends out a short menu that changes every week: a soup, a sandwich, a pasta dish, a few desserts made by her mother Bernadette, and basta! Lunch that day featured: a flawless sammie with Savoy cabbage, ‘nduja, taggiasche olives and lemony mascarpone; delicious maccheroni gooey with parmesan and stracchino (a fresh cheese from Lombardy), plus sage and nutmeg; and a caffeinated affogato to wrap things up. After lunch, Marie packs away the pots and pans, and goes into bar mode with a drinks menu that’s as generous as she. One for the diary: make sure to reserve your spot for the special Monday evening set menu, hosted exclusively once a month…//

FEELING THIRSTY? Clean wines (a German riesling from Jérôme Manguette and Urs Dublicki at Vins Pentus, €6 a glass), punchy ciders from Atelier Constant-Berger (€5 a glass), old-school digestifs and gueuze beers from Brasserie Cantillon (€25-30 for 750 ml), sipped at the bar by friends passing by.

PRICE: Sandwiches €7-9, pasta dish €12-17, soup €6 (with bread and butter), dessert €4.50, Monday evening set menu €38-45 (four courses).