Koen’s organic salmon with herring caviar and couscous
This is now the second time we’ve celebrated Koen’s birthday at the Fiskebar! Located on the Marnixplaats in the “Zuid” neighborhood of Antwerp, this is the perfect lunch spot for fresh fish!
Ready for the party to begin!
I’m a bit reluctant to admit it…but it’s been forever since Koen and I have thrown a birthday party. We decided there’s no time like the present! So in honor of Koen’s birthday we threw a Chili Cookoff!
My favorite bakery in Antwerp
Another year, another Verloren Maandag (Lost Monday), aka the Monday after Koen’s birthday (Driekoningen / Epiphany). For me it’s really just an excuse to indulge in worstenbroodjes and appelbollen. This year I really outdid myself and ate a total of 4 worstenbroodjes and 2 appelbollen over the course of the day. Anything for tradition!
Magical Entrance
For Koen’s birthday dinner we visited Sir Anthony Van Dijck. I always do a bit of searching before deciding on a restaurant and I was so intrigued when I read that the chef, Marc Paesbrugghe, gave his two Michelin stars away.
Herring caviar and cream
Koen and I use New Year’s Eve and Day as an excuse to eat very luxuriously and indulgently. Every year we try to top the year before.
Thanksgiving meal!
America by birth, Southern by the grace of God. That’s how it goes, right?
Orso Pizzeria
Because my mom was celebrating her birthday in Antwerp, of course we wanted to go out for dinner. I feel like over the years my parents have really gotten to know Antwerp the city, but not really Antwerp the province, which comprises of many smaller cities. For the birthday dinner we decided on Orso Pizzeria in Berchem. Berchem is most famous for its art nouveau style architecture. On our way to dinner we were able to look at all of the beautiful houses!
Smoked salmon and caviar
One tradition that started a few years back, is that when my mom is in town we go out for a class of champagne at Café Impérial. It doesn’t matter what time of year, we always go to celebrate. Café Impérial is a beautiful café located in the Paleis op de Meir, the former Antwerp residence of Napoleon Bonaparte. So fabulously French! And this time we were lucky enough to celebrate on my mom’s actual birthday!
Happy to have my parents in Antwerp!
Yay! My parents are in Antwerp!
Before we head off to Italy, we made reservations at Het Gebaar to have an early birthday celebration for my mom. You may remember Het Gebaar from two other posts: 9 year anniversary and when I won the free brunch. Het Gebaar is the Michelin star restaurant from Roger Van Damme. Van Damme is most famous for his desserts, so we booked our reservation in the early afternoon for a sweet lunch!
An American in Antwerp 