Not many people are so familiar with Belgian food, but it's actually quite good. Most will probably be more familiar with Belgian beer, now this is where they have mastered a craft!
Frites reminds me a great deal of this small chain of Belgian restaurants in London - anyone who knows London will know what I am talking about. It is basically a beer hall which has hundreds of beers available, that also serves really traditional Belgian food.
To start with the beers, quite frankly to many to name. However, Frites stock a range from the more known beers like Duvell, through to fruit lambics made by silent order monks. You can definitely get a good education in Belgian beers at Frites, but may have to do it over a number of visits!
What better to go with yummy beer, but yummy food. The big things here is the "moules et frites" or mussels and chips. The mussels are steamed in a variety of marinades, like tomato, cream, white wine, and come in one kilo pots. Great for me, as I have a big appetite, but also enough to share. With the mussels comes the "frites", which are great double fried Belgian style fries. So tasty dipped in the mussel marinade, or with lashings of mayo.
Other treats include meaty delights like "good wife sausage", which is basically a massive sausage with veggies, a huge Aussie style burger (I call it Aussie style because it has beetroot in it), and pork knuckle. Now the pork knuckle, oh yeah! It's just like crispy patas, but just made better, and served with mashed potatoes, so good.
The venue in Brim 24 is fine. The dining hall is open and high ceilinged, with big bench tables, so it does get really noisy with the sound rattling around the tall space. It does get busy, so make sure you book for busy times. The staff are generally ok, they can be a bit blinkered and snippy, but take a breath, sip your beer, and try again.
Last word of advice, avoid the chocolate pudding, it is really hit and miss. It is sometimes lovely, and other times tastes like detergent. read more