The weather called for an outdoor table, so we found the only available spot at one of the local restaurants. It was not in the sun, but it was still outside. Apparently, most of the town had the same idea and within a few minutes the place was packed and every outdoor table across our little town square was occupied. Outdoor cafes are one of the most noticible things about Europe. In the US, every outdoor space has to be roped or fenced off to prevent the horrors that might ensue if an underage person were to taste a sip of an adult beverage. Here, whenever the weather is nice enough, the tables and chairs pour out onto the sidewalks and any available space. This creates a situation that is not as obvious but also different from the US. Belgium is not a tipping culture as I have mentioned before. Consequently, most restaurants and cafes have a limited number of waitstaff, so on days like today, they are hopping. Or not, depending upon their mood. The result today was a three hour leisurly lunch of warm chevre salad for She who must be obeyed and a Toast Cannibal (steak tare tare on a slice of toast) for me. Afterwards apple tart. Not a bad way to kill an afternoon.
With our leisurly lunch I tried the Keiser Karel Robijn Rood which is an 8.5% red ale. This is a dark red ale that looks almost like a kriek but darker. The nose is sweet and hoppy. The taste is crisp, very fruity, bannana, dried fruit and some toffee. A very nice beer, I would definitely order it again. Three and a Half Drunk Monks!!!
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