Noordzee Mer du Nord
Spicy Sea Snail Soup with Fresh Baguette
Shrimp Croquettes with House Tartare
Fried Kibbling with House Tartare
Dubbed by ‘foodies,’ tourists and locals as a “can’t miss” meal in Brussels, it was straight off the plane that a stop was made at Nordzee ‘Mer du Nord’ Seafood, the order-and-wait-for-your-name-to-be-screamed-while-jockying-for-a-table style as much a part of the experience as the food based on reviews though the former was a non-issue for solo-dining while the later is a touch pricy, all things considering, though still very good.
One part retail, several Chefs in the area buying their fresh fish straight from the stand, the main action at Noordzee is by way of a walk-up counter with a simple whiteboard menu and although a late afternoon arrival saw several specials already sold out there still seemed to be no lack of a customers, the Croquettes and Razor Clams undeniably the most popular options while daily soups and fried fish seemed more quick to come off the line.
Accepting Cash or Credit, the former requested with preference and the card machines frequently “down” as they were on this particular Saturday, an order of three items plus complimentary bread tallied a bill of just under €20 and starting with bread and soup straight from the hands that had just handled money the flavor of briny seasnails came through loud and clear beneath a heavy shake of pepper amidst chunks of cooked-to-tender broccoli.
Skipping skewers, though items coming off the grill looked great, It was perhaps fifteen minutes before parts two and three were shouted out separately, the croquettes filled with creamy cheese and copious chopped crevettes while the kibbling was fried skin-on for maximum flavor with the house tartare complimenting the mild white flesh.
http://vishandelnoordzee.be/