Alimentation

When we see the word “traiteur,” (French for a sort of take-away prepared foods shop), we either keep walking or whip out our AmEx, especially when we’re in the Châtelain neighborhood. But not here. Luis Alonso, a true lover of good ingredients, cooks them up every day and personally stocks his windowed counter display: baguette or milk bread sandwiches (banh mi, grilled veggie and hummus, €6.90); a soup of the day (butternut squash, ginger and warming speculoos spices, €4 for 500 ml); colorful appetizing salads (spelt wheat, red rice, cucumber or kohlrabi, pomegranate seeds, cumin, parsley and tarragon, €2.80 for 100 g); fish, tarragon and wholegrain mustard croquettes; juicy veal and raisin meatloaf with apple compote, plus a delightful roasted Chinese cabbage salad in Caesar salad dressing with Parmesan; cauliflower and curried onion beignets (mains from €3.50 to €6.50, sides €2.80 for 100 g); and a sweet panna cotta with lemon zest and seasonal jam (€3.20). What else? Bread from Hopla Geiss, Sainte Odile vinegars, Swet hot sauces, Hierba Buena herbal teas… in short, true Brussels know-how! Lunch menus €14.70 to €23.40. // Britney Spritz

The hidden gem: The cauliflower, chickpea, za’atar, mint and yogurt salad (€2.80 for 100 g).