Words and Photographs by Taylor Thornberg
If you’re attuned to bright colors, you can’t miss Brux’l Café, one of several new restaurants on West Main Street. The outside sports a large red, yellow and black awning in between mostly pastel-colored buildings, advertising Belgian heritage and consequently Belgian food.
I have been to Max’s on Broad, a Belgian joint located near VCU campus, and had a lovely experience, so I was expecting something similar but more conveniently located.
My friend Alissa Soriano and I went in for Sunday brunch around 1:30pm and were surprised by how small and nearly empty the restaurant was.
Though it didn’t boast much space, the interior is chic and cozy with brick walls and a chalkboard with the specials menu, as well as several old Belgian beer ads. The whole place carried a Belgian theme with red, yellow and black in the napkins, the menu and the awning outside.
The regular menu featured a few appetizers, a selection of traditional Belgian subs all served with French fries, burgers, at least 7 different choices for mussels and a few entrees ranging in the $25.00 – $30.00 range. This is definitely a place for your parents to take you out, as the prices are pretty steep for a college student.
The brunch options were more affordable, though the menu is small, featuring Belgian waffles, eggs benedict and an omelet selection.
Everything was in the $8.00 – $15.00 range, so I ordered the truffle omelet and a side of bacon, which the waitress described as an omelet with a truffle pesto, with wild mushrooms, pine nuts, truffle oil and swiss cheese, served with a side salad.
Overall, what I got wasn’t as exciting as what was described, more like an omelet with pesto mixed in the yolks and swiss cheese in half of it. Not too hearty of an omelet, though it was tasty enough. The side salad was a handful of leaves with some tomato and Dijon dressing, again tasty but nothing special.
Perhaps the most disappointing part, however, was the small portion size; as a person who tends to snack as opposed to eating meals, I generally eat half of my meal and take half to go. I was able to finish my small plate at Brux’l with a bit of room to spare.
Alissa got the Belgian waffles with chocolate sauce and was equally disappointed with the size of her dish, as she got about half of a normal waffle.
The atmosphere may be cozy and inviting, but the food at Brux’l isn’t anything too special, especially not for those on a college budget. If you are looking for Belgian style food and are willing to pay the steep price, I’d recommend checking Max’s on Broad or Can Can Brassiere in Carytown first.