http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal <b>Belgo Centraal</b><br />London, 50 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LJ, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1l5i68
Review by suhan

Rating: 4.00
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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/1l5i68729622415 suhan 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/188h38
Review by johnny2323

Rating: 4.00
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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/188h381754528800 johnny2323 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/186ae8
Review by ablair9999

Rating: 4.00
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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/186ae81925307893 ablair9999 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/139al7
Review by Sarah_W

Rating: 3.00
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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¬Sintimateâ¬]]> Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:24:50 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/139al71444028844 Sarah_W 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1476n7
Review by betageek

Rating: 5.00
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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/1476n7340635134 betageek 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o95u7
Review by LindaHii

Rating: 3.00
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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/1o95u72103626577 LindaHii 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1o75n7
Review by a4ex

Rating: 4.00
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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/1o75n71631074622 a4ex 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1755g7
Review by FluffyRona

Rating: 4.00
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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/1755g7900406600 FluffyRona 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1r62f7
Review by Sami

Rating: 3.00
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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/1r62f7884319912 Sami 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1042p8
Review by qwghlm

Rating: 4.00
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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/1042p81124376325 qwghlm 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1x51o8
Review by sue

Rating: 3.00
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Hidden just off the main drag in Covent Garden, Belgo Centraal serves up traditional Belgian cuisine below street level. You can dine in the relaxed 'beer hall' section on the communal tables, or the more intimate restaurant.

It can get a bit noisy in the 'beer hall', so chose the restaurant section if you want a romantic meal. Either way you will be served by the friendly staff dressed in traditional monks habbits.

The house speciality is the moules & frites (mussels & chips), best served in a large pot, accompanied by a lip-smacking Belgian beer. The beer menu is extensive, and you can sample everything from a white beer to a pilsner, or for the more adventurous, how about one of their fruit or chocolate beers!

Belgo always has some great value lunch specials where you can choose from a few menu items, such as moules & frites or Roast Chicken, and a beer/wine/soft drink for around £6 - great for a mid-shop break or to line the stomach before a long afternoon of Belgian beer tasting ; )]]> Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:47:57 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1x51o81065817123 sue 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1f9028
Review by NRuth

Rating: 4.00
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Enter through what seems regular restaurant entrance, descend down a industrial elevator into a huge underground bustling setting. The waiters are dressed as traditional monks and are friendly and helpful, although the last time I visited ours seemed perhaps a little over keen! This, however, did not spoile the meal. The food is yummy and I have never left hungry! The speical offers are great. For example 'Beat the Clock' on a weekday - arrive between 5 and 6.30 and pay the price of the time you order. One dilema is the choice of drinks...endless beers, some of which I've never heard of let alone tasted - the staff however seem to know a lot about them so just ask away...]]> Sun, 08 Oct 2006 17:40:12 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1g71h7w/belgo-centraal/1f9028481795625 NRuth 51.512900890762 -0.12652567992051