Bruxelles, Leicester

The Event: Pre-Theatre Tea
Facade
Imposing, grand and opulent are three words to describe Bruxelles on first appearances. It stands out proudly in this rather drab street and offers Leicester a little bit of continental chic.

This photograph doesn't really do it justice; visit at night-time and be impressed.

Interior

The old-school glamour continues inside with an amazing domed ceiling and a huge gold chandelier dominating the expansive room. There are a couple of leather sofas to sink into and lovely little details, such as moveable coat hooks and a 4ft Tin Tin figurine, dotted about for you to feast your eyes on.

Downstairs is the dark and kooky cellar bar - perfect for snuggling up with a couple of Budvas on a damp Monday evening and a great party venue.

Snap

The mussells are a must. They'd changed slightly since we'd last visited - they used to be served in a kilo pot but now they come in a square glass bowl with chunky chips and bread. The white wine and cream veloute is marvellous and silky and the mussells are gleaned from Leicester's famous fish market. No finger bowl was provided although there was an extra receptacle for the shells so I shouldn't grumble too vehemently.

Pros

The decor, the wide range of Belgian lager on offer, the mussells.

Cons

Can't really think of any!

Outfit

The place gets busy at lunchtimes with shoppers so don't feel ashamed if you bustle in with rain-soaked hair and trainers - you won't be looked down upon.

At night-time, Bruxelles attracts Leicester's glamour pusses so it might be nice to try and be a little continental in your dress; think elegant. I'd go for a black dress, black opaques and killer heels.

Best for...

A late lunch stretching into a boozy night. Hide from the rain and share a bowl of mussells with a loved one. It's a great midweek date venue.

The Royal Oak, Long Whatton

The Event: Mr P's 31st Birthday

Facade
The Royal Oak is perched on a corner of The Green in Long Whatton and it would be quite easy to simply drive past it. It's a little, white bricked pub with a small front garden. Round the back is a huge carpark and a building site, which I am told will be magically transformed into luxury hotel rooms in the summer.

There's a covered seating / smoking area which is adequate for now although it only has the one heater (and it's pretty weak to be honest) so expect lots of shoving and huddling from smokers during the winter months. Again, I'm led to believe that the garden will also be tarted up so, as a temporary measure, it's sufficient.

Interior

The decor is that trendy mixture of old and new that's proved popular since the dawn of the new millennium; so we have lots of swish pine and glass juxtaposed with original beams and plush, leather sofas. It's not a particulary innovative look but it works and must be a welcome addition to a village with only one other pub in it.

Snap
A decent sized menu is offered in this boozer. There's a variety of choice without being overwhelming and the host even offered me the option of choosing something off menu.

Mr P and I shared a baked camembert to start, which came in its box and was studded with garlic. We dipped bread into it like a provinical version of fondu and it was divine, creamy and naughty.

For my main, I plumped for moules mariniere (which you could have for starters as well). I received a huge bowl filled with mussells and a bucket of square cut chips to assompany it. Extra points are awarded for a finger bowl and shell receptacle being provided (you may think this is an obvious fixture when ordering mussells but you'd be surprised how many restaurants forget it).

Mr P had a pork belly with black pudding, fennel, fondant potato and roasted vegetables. The crackling was a couple of inches thick and even made a 10 year vegetarian a bit curious. He said it was delicious and finished every bite.

Pros
Knowing the management always holds a deficinte advantage but even if we didn't, I'd be pleased with this place and know that we'd get a warm and personalised welcome.

Cons
We attended on a rainy Monday in February so it wasn't exactly kicking. Hiwever, weekends and lunchtimes are much livelier.

Outfit
You could go either way here and not feel out of place. Personally, I'd stick to high end pub clothing, such as a skirt and heels although a pair of smart skinny jeans wouldn't be a misconstrued choice either.

Best for...
A long boozy Sunday lunch