Chicken, Beer and Belgium - Part 2

Belgians have a great sense of humour. They have kindly given everyday products hilarious names to amuse childish tourists like myself. Take the word whip cream for example. In French, it is chantilly. In Dutch, it’s slagroom. Don’t call them chocolate sprinkles anymore; from now own call it hagelslag. In Oostende, you can enjoy a coffee at the Wiener Caffee or buy some bread at De Cock bakery (or buy a cake called Miserable- it did look really good though). I’m not rude and obnoxious about these things but it does allow me to have a giggle session.

I like Belgium, I really do. I’ve always had a great time there that’s usually filled with a fair amount of chicken, beer and waffles. Oostende is somewhere we go to regularly for a night or two away in which we usually stick to the tried and true. This time however, we ventured out and discovered a whole new world.

Once we dropped off our bags at the hotel, we headed to the Taverne Koekoek (see my previous entry for more details). Half a chicken and two beers later, we strolled around town looking to satisfy my urge for a proper waffle only to be told that waffles were only between 12.00-18.00. I had to make due with another beer and a steel determination to find a waffle as soon as day broke.

When I woke up the next morning, my mission for waffles was still strong. My first stop was Lilly’s, on the promenade along the seafront. It was 10am and waffle making for the day had begun. Our waffles were fresh and hot from the iron with a fairly even amount of caramelising on both sides. I would have preferred a bit more crispiness on some of the edges but it was perfectly acceptable. I also recommend Lilly’s for ice cream. Go for nougat- that has bits of candied fruit- or for my favourite, Speculoos. It tastes just like a Speculoos biscuit- full of cinnamon and bits of cookie. Get it to go and go sit on the beach.

Waffle number two came from Benny’s in the centre of town. Not good. There was caramel on the outside but the inside was cold.

My favourite waffle in Oostende still has to be from the outdoor vendor at Cappuccino’s. The outside has bites of gooey caramelised sugar followed by a bite with crunch but with a soft inside. If a meal is what you want, take a seat inside. On our visit I had a goat’s cheese salad and The Boy had an omelette. Some ladies were snacking on trays of mini cakes with a cup of coffee that looked amazing. I loved that they gave you a scoop of ice cream or maybe it was slagroom when you had a coffee. That’s definitely on my list for next time.

Tea-room Cappuccino, Ooststraat 22 Hoek Kapellestraat, 8400 Oostende