Frontman of Das Pop, professional flaneur & sartorial gentleman Bent Van Looy spills the beans on his favourite beer (and where to drink it), the best bread in the Kingdom,and falafel heritage.
Rothaus Pils is one of the purest of pils beers in the world. Having one from the tap at STATION 1280 - a local bar near my atelier that feels like a cross of a clubhouse and beachbar - is part of summer. And it gets even better if the Socal Taco truck pays a visit.
station 1280 - Oudaan 15/w-25
"Dare I say the best bread in the Kingdom? I do. Also a must-do for refined lunch. Each dish look like a little piece of art."
album - vlaamsekaai 6
"Try the rather fantastic pasta at the bar of CAFÉ COMMERCIAL - ‘slip in before the dinner rush.’
café commercial - Lange Lobroekstraat 77
"BENI FALAFEL has been serving Falafel since the 70s."
beni falafel - Lange Leemstraat 188
"Oh, and there's this legendary baguette with Paris-like ham at DOMESTIC you should try."
domestic - Lange Gasthuisstraat 5
"And coffee with books at CRONOPIO, of course."
cronopio - Kasteelpleinstraat 21
(Editors note: go for the terrace or the ‘hidden’ little kitchenette in the back)
The kind off small neighbourhood gem where the culturally inclined tend to discuss new books (and the state of the world) while sipping on a soy latté*.’ (*Which I don’t order)"
"GANTERIE BOON is het soort winkel dat je verwacht in Parijs of Tokyo. Een schatkamer aan handschoenen in alle mogelijke varianten in een pand dat tegelijk levend erfgoed en museale parel is. En ook hier voel je dat spel tussen traditie en vernieuwing. En dan wordt het interessant."
ganterie boon - lombardenvest 2
"Dat zie je ook bij SCHAAP, de moderne variant van de klassieke tailor opgericht door Ruben Opheide en Koen Van Weverberg. Zij starten vanuit een haast archivarische kennis van materialen, stoffen en technieken en durven daarmee nieuwe dingen uitproberen. Dat vind ik spannend.”
schaap tailors - bosmanslei 18
"I find it fascinating how Belgian knitwear royalty HOWLIN turns an essentially very classic knitted sweater into a temporary fashion statement."Delve into their world of knitwear, great vinyl, mags and accessories in the Morisson Store. And don't forget to visit Dries Van Noten's Modepaleis just a few steps further.
morisson shop - Nationalestraat 20