is a magazine on neighbourhood culture.
A newspaper-size zine available (only) in the best coffee bars, delicatessens,boutiques, food- & wine bars, hotels, bookstores and design shops in the Kingdom.Not coincidentally the local heroes we’re talking with in this decidedly online edition.
→ WHAT'S NEW?(and why)
The full rundown on new shops, bars and pop-ups to have on your radar goes live on August 2nd. Here's a first bite.
Spotting the ultimate Bleu de Chine jacket (worn by Mao and later co-opted by the bohemian style elite of Saint-Germain-des-Prés) in Hasselt’s game-changing menswear store Atelier 19 and queueing for a legendary focaccia at the classic counter of an old-school alimentari is like strolling through a zeitgeist snapshot.
HASSELT
Housed in a striking 1937 interbellum gem, Atelier 19,changes the game with a smart mix of archival Japanese interior digs, and on-trend menswear by Homecore, Universal Works, Bleu de Chine, and Service Works.
HASSELT
In Hasselt, people are now lining up at Gigi, a perfectly on-trend mix of alimentari and focacceria.You know you want the focaccia Arroganza.
ANTWERP
A tiny take-out-only deli that looks like the pantry in the USCSS Nostromo (a difficult one, but we’re not gonna help) just made us cry with happiness.
→ @tinytinseltakeout
Oh, the postmodern high-low irony without trying too hard of serving take-out bagels in an old-school styrofoam clamshell.
In times where travellers are skipping fancy restaurants in favour of supermarket aisles, mercados, delis and bar counters to experience local food culture up close, a new tiny take-out-only deli in Antwerp seems enough to make a grown man emotional. And then there's the queue for authentic New York-style bagels at Neighborhood. Take-away again, obviously, but having your Lox bagel with pistachio and jalapeño cream cheese on the tiniest of terraces scores extra points.
21
SPOTS THAT REFUSETO PLAY BY THE RULES
According to shape-shifter and food strategist extraordinaire Saskia Neirinckx.
She's on speed dial with top chefs, bridging the gap between Michelin stars and obscure food bars, Substack rants and burger splurges. A chat on stars and street culture, etiquette atheists, the small plates renaissance and elevated bar food.Read the full interview in our new print edition, and snap her favourite culinary hangouts in Ostend, Brussels and Antwerp here.
→ goes live on on August 2nd
→ WHAT DO JAPANESE DENIM, ARCHIVAL STORES, NICHE COSMETICS AND COMTé CHEESE HAVE IN COMMON?
The artisanal cheesemongers, niche cosmetic boutiques,and archival-and bookstores you frequent define your place in the tribal hierarchy.
CLICK TO READ FULL STORY
BRUSSELS
And when coffee bars look like they put a 90s teenager’s room and an obscure vinyl club in the blender, our little caffeinated hearts go all giddy up.
→ “FOR ME, MAGAZINES OFFER SOMETHING INCREASINGLY RARE: FOCUS. THEY’RE A TACTILE EXPERIENCE, A BREAK FROM ENDLESS SCROLLING AND TINY SCREENS. THEY CREATE SPACE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY, DESIGN AND STORYTELLING TO BE EXPERIENCED AT A DIFFERENT PACE. THEY’RE ALSO OBJECTS IN THEMSELVES, THINGS YOU LIVE WITH, COLLECT AND RETURN TO.”
Lee Swillingham, art director of The Face between 1992 and 1999, on the new role of print magazines as a tactile middle finger to the algorithm.Full interview in our print edition.
IMS, the absolute benchmark for international magazines in Belgium, just went online with its entire catalogue.
→ WHAT DO POODLES, MATCHA AND A BEESWAX BREAD BAG HAVE IN COMMON?
They’re part of the beautiful chaos of successful neighborhoods.
CLICK TO READ FULL STORY
08
REASONS TO LOVE SINT-JORISPOORT
ANTWERP
If you were to gather the various ingredients of Sint-Jorispoort into one massive, curated department store, you’d have a concept that would break the internet and headline every trend report. The ultimate retail drop. Surrounded by the polished energy of the high-end Quartier Latin neighborhood, the street maintains an almost anonymous, hidden allure. If you know, you know.
→ CLICK HERE FOR A RUNDOWN ON 8 REASONS TO LOVE SINT-JORISPOORT
BRUSSELS
From avocado toast at Seven to cheesecake Basque at Brood boulanger. This is where the sexy, smart and fun in Brussels hang out.
BRUSSELS
“Start the weekend at Chez Franz on Saturday morning with a mushroom and pecorino truffle omelette from Julien Hazard."
How three childhood friends run some of the best bars in Brussels.A chat on balance, food and personal recommendations.
08
REASONS TO LOVE SAINT-GILLES
BRUSSELS
Goes live 3th week of April.
If digging for collectible vinyl (and carrot cake!) in a no-nonsense coffee bar, Comté and white wine sausages, Mexican street food at the Monday market, and Ricard on the terrace of La Biche is your thing… you’ll have fun in Saint-Gilles.
Goes live 3th week of April.