Tag Archives: Owner

Brussels: Discover The Northern Thailand Cuisine @ Les Larmes du Tigre

Recently I was invited to a press lunch at the Brussels famous restaurant, Les Larmes du Tigre, in the presence of His Excellency the Ambassador of Thailand. As usual: after I got lost (yep, I went to another restaurant, could you believe this!), I managed to arrive on time! After the  warm welcome of Mark Beukers, the owner and his team : ouch, I perceive that I forgot my camera (!). Fortunately, a journalist friend lent me her phone (thank you R!) and I could make these few snapshots. I’m nicely surprised by the result! I’ve been a few times in Thailand, never in the North: from November 15 to January 26, Les Larmes du Tigre, the Office of Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways have joined forces to highlight the cuisine of Northern Thailand. I discover this delicious cooking, combining pleasure of the eyes and the palate and so nicely presented and tasty. Honestly I’m light years of this boring endless trend of non stop fooding everywhere! Here are some pictures of one of the dishes on this six services menu. Photo 2: Kaeng Kung Hooe, prawns with curry from the north and mixed vegetables. Photo 3: assorted raw vegetables with an excellent eggplant caviar. Photo 4: Ab Pla, bass fillet grilled in a banana leaf with Thai herbs. Congratulations to Chef Apple! And while you enjoy your meal, you can admire portraits of the Thai photographer, Cholavit.

Photos : Mademoiselle Le K – copyright 2012, tous droits réservés.

Les Larmes du Tigre : 21, rue de Wynants, 1000 Bruxelles. T. 02/512 1877. Open daily, except monday and saterday noon.

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LIFESTYLE & DESTINATIONS

 

Visiting the charming Hotel La Légende with Sophie Jonot, the owner

Often great hotels have a supplement of soul, like those who run them. In the so British breakfast room, I have an appointment with Sophie Jonot. This charming young woman is the dynamic entrepreneur and owner who successfully runs and with passion the Hotel La Legend, in the center of Brussels: “A charming hotel has different strengths of a chain hotel. Example, one our features is our courtyard which gives this side calm and peaceful.” Away from the clichés of a “family hotel”, the hotel mostly attracts a business clientele who appreciate the lively city center: 5 minutes from the Grand Place, 10 minutes from the Sablons and 15 minutes from Rue Dansaert.      

I am the third generation of hoteliers, but the term “family hotel” means a relaxed familiar service. Which is not the case here. We try to constantly improve, to overcome the demands of customers to offer them a better service. I ask my collaborators to much.” In her pursuit of excellence,  Sophie constantly cares about the renovation and decoration of the 27 rooms and common areas. Mix of antique and modern furniture, the style of the hotel is unique: “I project myself as a client. I’ve already slept in the rooms. Every summer, we close for renovations. I always look for what would make me happy, the small detail that makes the difference! When I travel, I discover other hotels. This is a chance to see in others that I can improve my home. Every detail is important.” And Sophie concludes with sparkling eyes and a big smile: “I’m happy doing what I do today. I think my mother would be proud.

Picture 1: We spend the elegant porch to access the entrance. Pictures 2 & 3: Sophie Jonot in the breakfast room, one of my favorite area. Pictures 3 & 4: One of the big suites with 2 or 4 beds. Some suites have a small balcony overlooking the courtyard. Pictures 5 & 6: I really like the attic studio on the 5th floor with a small balcony overlooking the rooftops of Brussels centre. 

Thanks to Sophie Jonot and her team. 

Hotel La Légende : 35 rue du Lombard, 1000 Brussels. Tel : +32 2 512 82 90. www.hotellalegende.com 

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Hotel La Legende: A Stylish Breakfast in Brussels, Belgium 

 

DESTINATIONS