Oh My Darling Clementine

As you might have established, one of our favourite places in Brussels is the Botanique. And if you happen to just have spent the night there you might come out feeling a little peckish. Now if this is the case I suggest you get on the tram 92, stay on it for quite a while, and don't get off until 'Place St.Job'. You might be wondering why I'm trying to take you far out of the centre of Brussels, I'm not trying to get you lost, this is really worth it.

Chez Clémentine, number 2 on the list of top chip shops in Brussels (although number one goes to Clémentine's father, Antoine with the famous 'Friterie Antoine' on Place Jourdan), is found on the Place St.Job in Uccle. Whether you are from Belgium yourself or are just a tourist you will know how important chips are as a part of our culture. None of this 'french fries' business, chips were invented in Belgium! So if you happen to be passing by, Chez Clémentine is the place to try and as it's open from 11:30 to 01:00 on sundays and weekdays and until 06:00 on fridays and saturdays, chances are it will be open.

Chez Clémentine is not just your ordinary chippy, its aim is to create the most environmentally friendly chip shop in Brussels. From the building itself which is perfectly insulated to the oil used which is recycled into eco-diesel, every aspect is thought out to be the least damaging to out very precious planet. And of course without affecting the price in the slightest! I can't personally review their whole menu as I am vegan but I can tell you that they do have a huge choice and veggie options (which isn't that easy to find in Brussels) and if you are veggie then they will cook your chips apart in vegetable oil rather than animal fat which is the traditional way of cooking them here in Belgium. The only fault I can find is that vinegar isn't available, though that isn't done over here. You'll either have to bring your own vinegar or take them home.

I'm definitely not saying all of this because it's the local chippy I grew up going to, but it is, and if you do decide to come over and say hi then please try a veggie burger because I don't think any one else orders them which is such a shame they're the best. It's just really nice having that place you've known for

so long where the staff know your order when they see you come in, everyone needs that. But Chez Clémentine is very popular and alot of people do make the effort to come the extra mile for better quality food.

Why you should check out Tempesst?

 On Monday we were back at our very much loved venue Botanique in Brussels. Due to Brussels being under level 4 terror alert they had to cancel a few concerts the week before. The last day before we could get out our Christmas hats and Reindeer antlers Albert Hammond Jr. came all the way to Brussels to re-open the wonderful Orangerie. 

 We did have to under go security checks but it felt great to be back! And yes, we'd been looking forward to seeing Albert Hammond Jr for ages. As always  I didn't bother to look up who the support was. Someone usually always does that for me. And besides I didn't know whether I was even going to turn up that early. I say that and always forget that I'm a really bad judge of time. Somehow I always seem to leave the house at least half an hour earlier than necessary. Basically I'm always early, and I'm glad I was because Tempesst were great. It had been a while since I saw a support act I properly enjoyed and I had a ton to do that day.

 They are an Australian band currently living in London and were one of the best support acts I'd seen in a while. You should definitely check them out. If you can find any of their music online. Because that's way harder than it seems.

There was a great atmosphere from the beginning of their set. I could already tell I would enjoy their short time on stage. They were really fun live and it seemed that everyone else was enjoying it too. Just a few songs in I'd forgotten it was Monday and was really starting to get in the mood. Their music reminded me a bit of bands such as Tame Impala , Pond and Temples. Which can't be bad!A bit before their last song they mentioned to stop by their merch stand to sign up to their mailing list for some free music. Obviously I'm always up for free music! Who isn't? So sure enough we stopped by and immediately fell in love with their shirts saying 'You're worth it' on them. Pretty hard to resist such an inspirational quote. We had to get them! Though to be fair the other band playing Rotonde at the Botanique had 'I'm a mess' on their T-shirts, which suits me too. But Tempesst shirts put us in a great mood, I'll probably be wearing mine everyday until I get bored or it gets smelly. 

I think that besides standing 2 meters away from a living legend like Albert Hammond Jr. We didn't have much to complain that night. It was a good night and I'm really looking forward to recieving some new music! If they finally decode all the handwritten email adresses. For now we'll just have to play Tidal Wave for they 100th time again.