It's Valentines day, and whether you are in a couple or not, we feel today is an excellent excuse to enjoy chocolate!
While the larger Belgian chocolate companies, (such as Neuhaus, Galler, Godiva, Leonidas, Marcolini,) are present in Liège, we'd like to take the time to bring to your attention two exceptional independant chocolatiers in the city.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Relaxing at: La Sultane du Saba
Located at 24 Rue du Pot d'Or in the centre of Liège, La Sultane du Saba offers massages, scrubs, facials, waxing, body-wraps, as well as foot and hand treatments and make-up services. The spa services both men & women offering treatments à la carte along with a series of treatment packages for individuals or couples. Fortunately for the non-French speaking residents and visitors to Liège, the owner (who answers most of the calls to the spa,) speaks English and is accustomed to welcoming English speakers and explaining the spas treatments to them.
One thing that makes La Sultane du Saba memorable is the heavy emphasis on the Orient. The decor transports one to locales much further South-East of Liège and most treatments incorporate elements of the Orient in either the method or the products used.
The in-house Hammam (Turkish style steam-sauna) can be booked for 15 Euro as a stand-alone treatment, and features as one of the elements in most spa packages. We must say that the light scent of Eucalyptus along with the heat and steam in the Hammam are something we appreciate particularly in the winter.
Tchantches, myself, and another person we know have taken massage treatments at this spa, and while we found them relaxing, we all agree that we found the touch of the masseuses to be a little light. These are not Swedish or Shiatsu style treatments, and so we'd recommend the Hammam followed perhaps by a Hot Stone massage as your best bet if you are looking to relieve tight muscles.
Tchantches has personally sampled the foot reflexology massage, and says it was wonderful. He only felt bad that he had to use his superbly relaxed feet to walk out of the spa after his treatment!
A pdf brochure listing treatments, pricing, contact information and spa hours can be viewed by clicking the link on this page of the spas site.
Photo credit: cityplug.be
The in-house Hammam (Turkish style steam-sauna) can be booked for 15 Euro as a stand-alone treatment, and features as one of the elements in most spa packages. We must say that the light scent of Eucalyptus along with the heat and steam in the Hammam are something we appreciate particularly in the winter.
Tchantches, myself, and another person we know have taken massage treatments at this spa, and while we found them relaxing, we all agree that we found the touch of the masseuses to be a little light. These are not Swedish or Shiatsu style treatments, and so we'd recommend the Hammam followed perhaps by a Hot Stone massage as your best bet if you are looking to relieve tight muscles.
Tchantches has personally sampled the foot reflexology massage, and says it was wonderful. He only felt bad that he had to use his superbly relaxed feet to walk out of the spa after his treatment!
A pdf brochure listing treatments, pricing, contact information and spa hours can be viewed by clicking the link on this page of the spas site.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Le Lulay Al Copète
Known not only for its traditional Liègoise cuisine, but also the friendly husband and wife duo who run it, Le Lulay Al Copète is one of the top places to go if you'd like an honest taste of Liège.
This small restaurant is very centrally located just off the passage Lemonnier at 11 rue Lulay des Febvres, and inside the atmosphere is Liègois through and through. Elisabeth and Vincent are welcoming, and fortunately for those who don't speak French, Vincent is more than happy to assist you in English!
Just as the décor references Liège in times more traditional, the food does too. It's honestly prepared and served in a classic style for the region, meaning that most visitors are positively stuffed after an entrée and a main dish. Even the salads are quite satisfying, each one containing an ample serving of protein. (Fortunately if you like you can order any salad in a smaller "entrée" size.)
A dish not to be missed: "Boulets à la Liègoise". This is the "taste of home" for many Liègois. The secret is in the Sirop de Liège, a regional product that imparts a unique depth and slight sweetness to the sauce. Naturally, this is a dish that pairs very nicely with "frites mayonnaise" and Belgian beer.
Although many come for the boulets, Le Lulay is no one-trick pony. Other tastes of Belgium you may wish to try include the pavés. The beef used for these is of the "Blanc Bleu Belge" race, (one of the most muscular breeds of cattle we've seen, and as the name implies, this is a race developed in Belgium.
For those willing to walk on the wilder side of anglophone tastes, Le Lulay also serves "Filet Americain", a melt-in-your mouth deliciously fresh combination of raw steak, ground and mixed with mayonnaise, capers, and raw egg, among other seasonings. For those worried about eating raw meat: food purity and butchery standards in Belgium are very strict, which is why something like filet american can be prepared in so many restaurants here, with virtually no problems of food related illness. Consider this "sushi-grade" beef.
One last point both tourists and Liègois can appreciate aside from the authenticity of the food or the warm ambiance of Le Lulay: the value. The last time we were there, supper for the two of us (2 mains, 4 beer and 1 coffee) totaled less than 30 euro, and we both left feeling so full that we couldn't have eaten another bite!
Elisabeth will sometimes say to those who comment positively at the end of their meal: "We do this on purpose, we make it good so you'll come back!" This philosophy of service has worked very well for the restaurant over the past 7 years it seems, the business doesn't seem to have suffered at all from the economic downturn and they are regularly busy. As many locals do go back when they can, it's always a good idea to call ahead to reserve a table (phone: 04 222 0670)
Le Lulay is closed on Sundays, Mondays, as well as Thursday nights.
Click here to visit their website.
Le Lulay Al Copète, seen from outside at night
Just as the décor references Liège in times more traditional, the food does too. It's honestly prepared and served in a classic style for the region, meaning that most visitors are positively stuffed after an entrée and a main dish. Even the salads are quite satisfying, each one containing an ample serving of protein. (Fortunately if you like you can order any salad in a smaller "entrée" size.)
A dish not to be missed: "Boulets à la Liègoise". This is the "taste of home" for many Liègois. The secret is in the Sirop de Liège, a regional product that imparts a unique depth and slight sweetness to the sauce. Naturally, this is a dish that pairs very nicely with "frites mayonnaise" and Belgian beer.
Although many come for the boulets, Le Lulay is no one-trick pony. Other tastes of Belgium you may wish to try include the pavés. The beef used for these is of the "Blanc Bleu Belge" race, (one of the most muscular breeds of cattle we've seen, and as the name implies, this is a race developed in Belgium.
The very beefy Blanc Bleu Belge
One last point both tourists and Liègois can appreciate aside from the authenticity of the food or the warm ambiance of Le Lulay: the value. The last time we were there, supper for the two of us (2 mains, 4 beer and 1 coffee) totaled less than 30 euro, and we both left feeling so full that we couldn't have eaten another bite!
Elisabeth will sometimes say to those who comment positively at the end of their meal: "We do this on purpose, we make it good so you'll come back!" This philosophy of service has worked very well for the restaurant over the past 7 years it seems, the business doesn't seem to have suffered at all from the economic downturn and they are regularly busy. As many locals do go back when they can, it's always a good idea to call ahead to reserve a table (phone: 04 222 0670)
Le Lulay is closed on Sundays, Mondays, as well as Thursday nights.
Click here to visit their website.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
A sad day for Liège.
Yes, Liège made the world news this past Tuesday the 13th when someone decided to take a gun and to randomly spray fire into the crowds of people in Place St. Lambert, one of our most frequented public squares this time of year.
We wish it were for a happier reason that the worlds attention was drawn here, but sadly it wasn't.
People here are understandably shaken. To the memory of the Liègois, this kind of crime has never happened here before.
We would like to express our sincere condolences to the families of those killed in Place St. Lambert, and to the families of those who are suffering injuries as a result of this horrible happening. We like many Liègois and Belgians share your grief.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Students of Liège: St. Nicholas
Have you recently been approached by someone wearing a lab coat, asking your for money? Allow us to explain...
Every autumn many students attempt to get 'in' to various student 'fraternities'; they can be seen this time of year throughout the city wearing their white lab coats complete with decorations of fresh marker drawings and scrawls.
These lab coats quickly become not so fresh and white as the students participate in various hazing rituals and parties. We have been told by more than one old 'fraternity' member that a student is never supposed to wash the lab coat no matter what has happened to it, no matter what has been spilled (or thrown) upon it.
Photo credit: ULg
There are several institutions of higher-learning based in Liège. It is a popular destination for Erasmus students because it is known as a city that embraces students with open arms, meaning even if you don't speak much French as a student arriving here on exchange... you'll probably still be invited to the parties. Of which there are MANY.
Photo credit: micheldelamotte.be
Photo credit: ULg
Photo credit: bruxelloise.be
Older citizens of Liège mostly smile and remember their student-days when they catch sight of a group of youngsters involved in one of the many rituals and celebrations, which brings us to the students and St. Nicholas.
Photo credit: ULg
Traditionally December 6th is the day children in Belgium are treated with gifts for the day of St. Nicholas. Around the beginning of December, the lab coated students can be seen in public places asking for pocket-change. The change the students collect will be used to help subsidize their last bit of partying party before the end of semester examination period begins, and so this ritual of asking for change is a students way of asking the public to spoil them a little for St. Nicholas, too.
Photo credit: ULg
Tchantches and I have the personal philosophy that if someone is entertaining while remaining friendly and polite, we will give a little change. If they are particularly witty in their banter or if they are highly entertaining, we give extra. After all, it's important to know how to ask nicely for what you want in life. And knowing how to do so with finesse isn't something the schools always teach!
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