http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal Belgo Centraal - London, 50 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LJ, United Kingdom en http://cdn.trustedplaces.com/i/uploads/placepics/68036_a6c9d900.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/182xi8
Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00
Tags: lively, seafood, international, good value, crowded
Lobster! One of my favourite things in the world and also something I never order in this country, for one reason only - the price. In the US and Canada these beauties can be picked up for $7 a pound, and even with the currency not what it used to be, that's still a bargain compared to the 1 1/2lb specimen I saw in Borough the other week on sale for £19. Sorry, I'd rather do without until my next stateside holiday.

But Belgo, the mini chain of Belgian moules-frites restaurants, think they've cracked it - literally. This month, until the end of the month, they are running a "Lobsterfest" menu, consisting of our favourite crustaceans served a modest amount of different ways, all for a VERY modest amount of money. And to get the 'fest off to a good start, they invited a modest number of food bloggers and press people to sample the new menu.

Given that I was on a freebie, cost shouldn't have been a concern at all, but as I said, the sample menu we were shown confirmed the prices were indeed very low. Worryingly low in fact - £5 for a lobster bisque? £8.80 for half a lobster? Without wanting to seem ungrateful I did wonder what corners they must have been cutting to make a profit on serving what is usually a premium seafood. But when the food arrived, my fears were largely assuaged. The bisque was my favourite thing of all - rich and fishy and salty, and though it had probably been bulked out with fish stock was none the worse for it in this price bracket.

The half lobster dishes, including a thermidore, a red thai spiced one and a salad, were perfectly decent for the price and at were presented well, legs and all. The lobsters, I'm assured, are flown in from Nova Scotia on a regular basis, never frozen and cooked to order from live. I would have liked to have the option of a boiled specimen - all the better for sucking the meat out of the legs - but really, given the scarcity of affordable lobster in London and the fact that Belgo is a smart, buzzy space with very capable service and is so massive you're more or less always guaranteed a table, to grumble about details seems pointless.

So well done Belgo for bravely attempting to bring lovely lobster to the masses, and good luck with your future endeavours. When you feel ready to launch your £5 Iranian Caviar Credit Crunch Menu or a £8 Milk-fed Lozère Lamb Sunday Lunch, give me a call.]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:36:12 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/182xi82075773375 chrisp lively seafood international good value crowded 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1i1q18
Review by Hmm

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, good value
I've been coming back time after time when in London. Great atmosphere and good food.]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:14:03 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1i1q1834769659 Hmm lively good value 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/193oz8
Review by slagdog

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, good value
Throughout October, the four Belgo restaurants - all in London - are celebrating Oktoberfeast with a food and beer matching menu. This is a great opportunity to sample the wonderful world of Belgian beer beyond the likes of Stella Artois.

We had the rich and smooth Chicken Terrine with raspberry beer chutney with a glass of DeKoninck, and asparagus with a Brugs white beer & chive sauce and the delicious Vedett Extra Blond beer.

For mains, the pork belly is to die for - must be the best crackling i've ever had - and it is paired with the unusual Rodenbach Grand Cru which is aged in wine casks to give it a delicious sour edge. Mussels are a speciality at Belgo, and the ones on this menu are steamed in beer - pure heaven for mussel lovers.

And puddings don't escape the beer matching magic - the the Leffe Ice Cream is a must, with its delicious syrup and praline.

This is a menu that will make you see (or should that be drink) beer in a whole new light...

]]> Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:33:41 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/193oz81912274956 slagdog lively good value 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1d0m37
Review by Alsation

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, good value, crowded
This is the original Belgo Restaurant in London, still going strong after more than 10 years.
Located in the basement of a big, former market warehouse, just off the Seven Dials, this place is unique.
The menu is fairly straightforward and includes some Belgian delicacies well worth trying. But the main reason for coming here is that you can eat mussels ⬠good quality, well developed mussels and cooked to perfection.
The choice of different sauces and flavours is enormous. I still remember my first visit here, when I tried the curried mussels. The chips are â¬Üfritesâ¬" and the beer is just lush. The combination of the large pot of mussels, a plate full of small chips and a large, bulbous glass of dark beer is irresistible.
One half of the restaurant is set out with small tables and chairs, whilst the other half have lots of long benches ⬠a kind of communal picnic. The waiting staff are dressed in monkâ¬"s outfits, which is good fun but must be incredibly hot to rush around in in this basement hothouse.
Whatever you do, donâ¬"t look at the back door in Shelton St where the rubbish is cleared out ⬠you might see more than you bargained for.
]]> Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:21:55 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1d0m37727605933 Alsation lively good value crowded 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o4kz7
Review by fairy600

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, belgium, energetic, crowded
If you like mussels, you have to come here. I have only been to the one in covent garden and not visited to the other belgos restaurant, but i've heard they are equally as good. The restaurant has an open kitchen, watching the chefs cook is half the fun of coming here. It can get extremely busy and sometimes there is a wait for the food. The mussels come in massive bowls- the green thai mussels are lovely. They come with chips, but we've struggled every time to finish our plates. There is an extensive beer menu with beers up to 8% in alcohol! But luckily these come in wine glasses instead of the pint sizes.
The place is always buzzing and staff are friendly. There are some good deals on if you get there early where you can get the meal for the price of the time you order. E.G. At 5.30pm you'll get your food for £5.30.]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:24:20 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o4kz71333074334 fairy600 lively belgium energetic crowded 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1l5i68
Review by suhan

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
this is a great place for friends gathering - try out the green thai mussels and beers]]> Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:39:25 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1l5i689463634 suhan 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/188h38
Review by johnny2323

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, gastro pub, cheap eat, crowded
Really love it here and have been back a few times. Two reasons why - the food is greaty. chicken dishes fab and mussel dishes also but best of all the deals. if you arrive between 5 and 6.30pm you pay the price (from a small set menu) of the time you arrive - and that includes a glass of beer or coke. Also if you have kids they eat free.
Other reasons if you need them - they have a great range of beers, the staff (dressed inmonks costumes) are always friendly and the toilets are unique and an attraction in themselves.]]> Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:27:16 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/188h38199030530 johnny2323 lively gastro pub cheap eat crowded 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/186ae8
Review by ablair9999

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, seafood, good value, crowded
Belgium has a certain reputation in the UK for being boring - this is not the case, especially when it comes to food and drink. Okay, it may be limited to Mussels, Chips, Beer and Chocolate, but in my world these are pretty high up on the list anyway! Belgo Central does the first three of these very well.

Upon arrival, it looks tiny from the outside. You on a walkway over the kitchen and it is VERY hot! This immediately put me off. After a short wait for a table (we had not booked and they were very busy), we were ushered downstairs to a gloriously air-conditioned dining area. First impressions were that it was busy, noisy and looking a little tired on the decor front, but with some novel design ideas. Seating is communal benches in the main, and the waiting staff wear a type of Trapist monks robes - with the vaulted ceilings it was like a monastry, only without the silence.

The menu does consist mainly of mussels and chips, there is however a variety of other dishes for anyone not quite as enamoured with the shellfish as I am.

I had Thai Style Mussels to start. These were very good though perhaps a little to mild for my liking, lacking any real chilli kick. Neither of us has Mussels as a main course on this occasion, opting instead for Haddock in a Hoegarden Beer Batter and in my case a 16oz Ribeye. Both were very good!

The group next to us all had the Surf'n'Turf (steak and lobster) which looked very good too - I'll be trying that soon!

For dessert I had the Waffle with chocolate sauce and hazlenut ice cream and my partner had the White Chocolate Mousse. The mousse was jus divine. The waffles, were real, freshly made in a waffle press. I was however disappointed with the chocolate sauce - it seemed a little weak to me.

There is a somewhat limited but perfect adequate wine list. You don't come here for the wine though. Browse the beer menu and be amazed at the variety of Belgian beers. There are some well known brands such as Hoegarden (my personal summer favourite), a large number of specialist but delicious Trappist and Artisan beers and the famed Belgian fruit beers. My partner tried the Coconut beer, which was very good but too sweet for my taste (as is often the case with the fruit beers).You can also buy a "rod" of Schnapps. A wooden tray which holds between 4 and 32 different schnapps shots.

Overall a very enjoyable evening and meal. it represents good value at any time and they have great lunch and early evening deals as well. We paid £65 for 1 starter, 2 mains, 2 desserts, water, beers and coffees.

Suitable for a lively night out rather than a romantic meal for two, this restaurant comes highly recommended by us! ]]> Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:51:57 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/186ae8476234546 ablair9999 lively seafood good value crowded 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/139al7
Review by Sarah_W

Rating: 3.00
Tags: noisy, belgian, good value, crowded
This is a chain of Belgian restaurants with several locations in London, the original and best known being in Covent Garden, Belgo Centraal. This is in a basement; a noisy place, full of bustle, with wait staff dressed in monksâ¬" habits (a nod to the monastic origins of many Belgian beers) and lots of large parties in the main hall which has a beer cellar vibe. The restaurant is a little more peaceful, and better-suited to smaller groups, but donâ¬"t believe the website which describes it as â¬Sintimate⬠⬠this is NOT the place to bring a date! The food though is excellent, with moules being the favourite, though by no means the only, choice. These come in a variety of flavours, including the very un-Belgian but delicious Thai. Wash your meal down with one (or more likely several!) of the many beers on offer (I counted 70 on the menu). For non-beer drinkers there is wine available by the glass or bottle, but this really is a beer-loverâ¬"s destination.

On a recent visit I shared a platter of charcuterie and tasty rye bread with a friend, and followed this with the pan-fried fillet of cod with spinach mash and raspberry beer, port and shallot sauce. The fish was beautifully cooked and the sauce delicious, but the potato let down by being not quite hot enough. I also had a side of red cabbage braised with raspberry beer, which was REALLY good! With a couple of different beers, coffee after and service, I paid about £30 ⬠not bad for central London.

The other branch that Iâ¬"ve visited is the Bierodrome Kingsway, an altogether more relaxed and quieter venue, with a welcoming bar in the front part of the building and a small restaurant area behind. There are slightly fewer beers on offer, but still more than enough to see you through an eveningâ¬"s drinking, and the menu is the same as at Belgo Central.]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:24:50 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/139al7413021021 Sarah_W noisy belgian good value crowded 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1476n7
Review by betageek

Rating: 5.00
Tags: lively, Belgian, good value
Belgo Centraal is a favourite lunchtime haunt - it's conveniently situated in the West End, and just the place for a fast working lunch. If one wishes to take more time, the menu has a reasonable variety of choice - especially if one likes moules. The boar sausages are also excellent, as is the lamb shank. However, there isn't the best range for vegetarians. Where Belgo Centraal really comes into its own is the beer menu, which is terrifically varied and offers some really wonderful Belgian beers. Whether all of this leaves any room for the beer-flavoured ice cream is down to the individual.]]> Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:13:13 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1476n7278609264 betageek lively Belgian good value 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o95u7
Review by LindaHii

Rating: 3.00
Tags: belgium
Great generous portion of mussels & chips.I only come here for that really...Steak isn't that great..average...Service is good but it can be a bit too noisy sometimes.Great for birthday parties or large bookings.
]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:57:07 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o95u71789207733 LindaHii belgium 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o75n7
Review by a4ex

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, belgian, gastro pub, good value, crowded, brasserie
One of my favourites in London you can never go wrong. Very very nice Mussels and a very good BEER variety. Noisy environment but is OK. Highly Recommended.]]> Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:11:14 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o75n71776586379 a4ex lively belgian gastro pub good value crowded brasserie 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1755g7
Review by FluffyRona

Rating: 4.00
Tags: lively, good value Belgian, crowded
Great moules and frites, great steaks, great beers but man, what a racket! It's like eating inside a kettle drum being played by a man with epilepsy!

Turn down the volume, chaps - you have a fantastic place here, so stop scaring people away to have their ears tested!]]> Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:42:53 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1755g7245015520 FluffyRona lively good value Belgian crowded 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1r62f7
Review by Sami

Rating: 3.00
Tags:
Holy @#$%^&^% noisy!!

I LOVE my moules frites, so it was worth a trip because they're excellent, but I'm not sure if I'd be so quick to return because the noise level was unbearable - and for someone who spends their entire week-ends in nightclubs, that says a lot!

However, their beer selection is unbeatable, especially if you have an interest in Belgian brew (and if you don't, you should, because they are master brewers), and the kitschy monk costumes that the waitstaff wear along with the communal picnic table seating is always worth a visit.

The next time I go back, it will be for their "Beat the Clock" specials, but not for a proper meal. Way too noisy for me!]]> Fri, 25 May 2007 00:13:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1r62f7313779640 Sami 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1042p8
Review by qwghlm

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
I like this place a lot, the fact that it's absolutely packed on weekend nights notwithstanding. The moules & frites are a classic dish done well, the steaks are delicious, and the desserts were gorgeous.

Oh and there's the beer - the selection of beers is wonderful and well worth exploring, though the bill can soon rack up if you're not paying attention!

The only minor downside is that being in a cellar, it can get quite noisy when there are a lot of people, although at least the air conditioning works well. Oh, and the toilets are mixed-sex to a degree, which can freak some people out.]]> Sun, 01 Apr 2007 15:17:42 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1042p81238327676 qwghlm 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051