Fun fact about me; I grew up in Belgium, home to the world's best chocolate and the world's best mayonnairs (FACT), so imagine my utter joy upon discovering this week that a new Brussels Boutique has opened on Regent Street to showcase Belgian brands? Of course I had to pay a visit.
The initiative has been designed to bring some of the best names in Belgium to a new audience. The shop, at 52 Regent Street (literally as you come out of the tube next to the Hotel Cafe Royal) is home to food and drinks brands until 23rd July, after which will follow a stint promoting Belgian fashion - coinciding with London Fashion Week - followed by art, design and craft in the lead up to Christmas.
The shop is home to a selection of Belgian brands from chocolate, cereal, teas and coffees, sauces, pickles and snacks, to wine, beer and spirits, with a mixture of already well-known names and under-the-radar ones you will want to get on board with. A few of our favourites...
Pierre Marcolini: The Petits Bonheurs from the chocolatier are to die for, tiny delicious little bites of the perfect proportion, available in Gianduja, Coffee, Caramel and Noisette flavours.
Brussels Ketjep: Belgian mayonnaise is the best in the world and this is the hill I will die on. It just defies all expectations; it's creamier, more flavourful, richer, tangier - once you've tasted it you will never go back to Hellman's.
Eugène: It's worth investing in one of their little jars of heaven, I mean pistachio spread. Sure, it's horrendously indulgent and I shan't be checking the calories, but by God it's delicious.
Pegi: This waffle brand is the OG, producing Belgium's classic Liège waffles since 1952. They are the taste of home and thankfully the store sells them individually-wrapped for an on the go snack. Perfection.
Find the shop wt 52 Regent Street, W1, next to Picadilly Circus tube, until 23rd July
