Belga Cafe is on capitol hill and was highly recommended by quite a few people.  I am trying out a new style of "reporting" - it's called "organized".    I have had some, er, requests for a more organized flow to my rambles...so, since this post has taken about 5 months, I decided to heed the advice.  Hopefully, the flow works for ya.  Maybe in another 5 months I will do ratings...I was thinking little mimosas?  or bloody marys?  But that requires me to open photoshop, which is way too much effort right now. So, you'll have to wait on the ratings.

Drink Specials:  While nothing was on special - they did have quite an array of champagne concoctions.  I tried just about all of them - it was all in the name of the DCBC of course.   They were NOT cheap, most were at least $7 and I easily racked up a $50 alcohol bill. (Ok, I hadn't gone out all weekend - so this was my "day" out).   Definitely try the basil and violet champagnes.  Very unique - especially the basil.  The basil is very subtle and gives it a unique twist - kind of like cucumber in water, if you have ever had that.

Booze: We were pretty obsessed with the champagnes that I really don't have notes on anything else.  If you remember the bloody mary's post a comment.  I did have a pretty good Irish Coffee to kick things off, but had to tell the bartender how to make it.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks: No notes on these either - don't think anyone got the club soda (sorry Ann) and no one commented on the coffee, must not have been memorable.

Food: A big hit was the green eggs and ham, a few people ordered it and we had some variations.  If you like pesto - the normal way is good.  It has a good amount, but those who tried it didn't think it was too overpowering.  If you have a pine nut allergy they will make it without pesto - they were very accommodating for our members with food allergies. 

I had the Luikse Waffles which are liege waffles with apples and cinnamon.  For those not in the "waffle know," as I wasn't before this brunch, liege waffles are more sweet. They are basically dessert for breakfast and are INSANELY good!  Just thinking about them is making my mouth water...mmmm....

The asparagus bridge on the eggs benedict was a nice touch to a tasty dish and the bacon pleased those who eat mammals. 

The sourdough bread was good and people made it a point to note that the butter was "just the right temperature."  We hate it when it is all cold and breaks the bread - bad form.

The fruit salad was the only real downer - not worth the 6.50.  Can someone say frozen sysco mix? What's up highschool cafeteria fruit salad.   But who does have a good fruit salad?  Those are usually always a let down.

Service - The joint is not huge, but they did have our table for 10 ready when I got there and even sat me when only two others had gotten there. I swore on all kinds of religious relics that everyone else would be coming and we even over delivered. 

Our waitress was friendly without being too chatty - she had an accent, so she seemed pretty "authentic" to the whole Belgian theme.  She was probably ukrainian for all I know, but I am ignorant so accent = foreign = good fit for a belgian restaurant.  

The chef was hot and came over and greeted our table - so we were psyched (ok, Brett and I were).   And a waiter from another table offered to take a group pic which is to the left!

THEY CAN'T SPLIT THE BILL!! This is important to note!  I was pretty much drunk by the end of brunch due to the multiple champagnes, so I wasn't much help come bill time which was somewhat tricky because we were splitting it between 11 of us.

Environment - While the restaurant wasn't huge, it didn't feel overly cramped.  The bar area is a little tight if you are waiting and the foyer is basically non-existent, but we didn't have to wait long, so we weren't overly annoyed.

The aroma is what most of us noticed - a combination of sweet and savory....mmmmmm....

The decor was subtle and nice without being "too" mod or cheap looking.  I remember something about the bathrooms...but I forgot to note it.  So - check them out and let me know why I meant to remember them!


Repeat?  I would definitely go back to Belga Cafe and it's also the kind of place that is good to bring family when they are in town - not really the place to stumble into still wearing your jammies or the clothes from the night before.   It is also not the place to go for all day brunch drinking as you will drink yourself into the poor house by 2pm!