Catch up Brussels to Brugge 4-23-15

Today we took the train to Brugge, and as Deb explained in the previous post we got cross-wise on getting the right train.   The station worker was telling us that we needed to get the second train, and mentioned the Knokken, Brockenbrugge train. (now when he says Knokken, Brockenbrugge he pronounces it just like, to our ears, a crazy Muppet in one almost Swedish singsong string) so we fixate on Knokken, Brockenbrugge like our life depended on it. We of course think he's telling us to not take it because it's showing as the next train on the board but it's late.  So when the next train comes, we assume that in the normal course of things it would have been the second train and get on.  Luckily the conductor comes through and tells us we have to get off at the next station and catch the Knokken, Brockenbrugge train which stops at Brugge, get the picture? (We sometimes overthink these things)

After a nice ride of about an hour we get to Brugge, city with the most 17th century buildings in Belgium and an extensive canal system (Venice of the North).  On our walk into the city center we spot a restaurant and decide to stop because the guidebooks say that the food is only so-so in the center of town and overpriced to boot.   We had a really good lunch at this little hotel and restaurant, with one of the best asparagus soups I can remember, followed by delectable little lamb chops.   Deb is on a new quest to see how many ways a Caesar salad can be interpreted, and has concluded that as long as the dressing has anchovies then the ingredients are kind of secondary.  She also says that the anchovy and yoghurt dressing was outstanding.

We had considered taking a canal trip, but every boat was bulging with people and it seemed like too much effort to wait in line.  So we walked a large part of the old town with all of these beautiful brick buildings in primarily a Benelux style, with the stepped gables we think of as Dutch.   Many people already taking advantage of the weather and early season to see the town, I can't imagine what it must be like in the high-season.

A 6:00 train got us back to Brussels in time for dinner at Sale Pepe Rosmarino where once again the owner gave us a table, with the proviso that we would be done before the 9:30 reservation on the table.  No problem!  More of the Buffala Mozzarela and this time Limone Vitello for Deb and Orichetti Amatriciana for me.   They even gave us a complimentary grappa and Lemoncello after dinner.  Have I mentioned that I love this place?   Don't miss it if you're in Brussels.