Méert in Brussels, featuring Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert

Méert was one of my must-go places in Brussels. It's a French patisserie, established in 1761, one of the oldest bakeries still in activity in the world. Plus, the shop in Brussels has gotten excellent reviews. It would be wonderful to try authentic French pastries. In fact, my true purpose to visit Méert was to find and eat Mont Blanc, or a classic French dessert made with puréed, sweetened chestnuts and whipped cream. My Mont Blanc experience in London unfortunately wasn't memorable. Méert was my hope to meet a proper Mont Blanc.

Yes! They had Mont Blanc!!!!

Other pastries looked beautiful and delightful although I had to stick to Mont Blanc. There was a tea room in the shop, where J and I had a cup of tea and shared Mont Blanc. The chestnut cream was so tasty and of course tasted chestnuts. The inside layer of whipped cream and crisp meringue was lovely. I met a wonderful Mont Blanc outside of Japan finally.

Méert was located in the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, the first glazed shopping arcade in Europe designed in the mid-19th century. Strolling and window-shopping - fine chocolate, handbags, jewelry, etc. - through the arcade was enjoyable.

Particularly, the book shop called Tropismes was beautiful. The shop was formerly a dance school for Brussels' elite and a famous jazz club later on in the 1960s, and the ornate ceilings and high mirrors still welcome customers.

The arcade was located just opposite the Grand Place. Across the Grand Place, there was Tin-Tin on the street wall.

Also, the famous landmark Manneken Pis, which was surprisingly small and modest, was surrounded by crowd of tourists.

A chocolate (real chocolate? I am not sure) sculpture of Manneken Pis at a waffle shop near the actual Manneken Pis stood out more than the original.

 And there were a lot of cobbled streets in the centre of Brussels.

To be continued...