Strolling through Notting Hill
To start our first real day together in London, we walked from Notting Hill through Hyde Park to get to Chelsea for the most delicious brunch at The Ivy Chelsea Garden.
Piccadilly Circus
Koen and I spent last week in London. The last time I was in London with time to really explore was 10 years ago! So although I’d been before, it was really like visiting for the first time.
Two of our best friends live in Rotterdam, so going to visit Chris and Hannah is also a great excuse to see a bit more of the city!
Native
When my sister-in-law Barbara told me she’d be coming to Antwerp for the day, I finally had an excuse to try out Native!
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!
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.
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!
An American in Antwerp 