Spotlight On Belgian Instagrammer The Flying French Toast

Brussels foodie blogger Bruno Xuereb’s Instagram, the_flying_french_toast, is packed with mouth-watering pictures of meals. It’s also a handy profile to follow if you’re looking for new restaurants, bars, bakeries or even snack bars in the city.

How did you begin your foodie journey?

When I was a kid, I used to go into the kitchen while my parents were baking, to lick the bottom of the pots for scraps of dough. I guess I thought that learning how to cook would get me even more leftovers, and pretty soon it had become a passion.

I am very curious, I love to walk the streets and discover new places, and when I have a good feeling about a nice café, a hidden bakery, or an exotic restaurant, I give it a try. Usually my curiosity is rewarded. I also have many foodie friends, so we exchange good places to eat.

What’s your inspiration in the way you capture Brussels’ delicious food?

I believe that when it comes to food, inspiration comes from the belly. I try to capture my experience, so I can remember it later. It is a really good feeling to just look at a picture I took, and instantly have the taste come back in my mouth. Also, as I said, I have many friends I like to share good places with, so this is a nice way to show them. I think food, like other pleasures, has to be shared in order to be complete.

What’s the best discovery you ever made in Brussels?

The first time I went to Brussels I passed by a small bakery. There was a smell of warm croissants, and there were some nice cakes displayed at the window, so I entered and tried their almond croissant. It was amazing. Now it is one of my favorite spots in Brussels, and the bakery is really cool; you can actually see the bakers prepare the pastries in front of you.

You call yourself a daring explorer of the taste jungle. Is there any dish that you call your favorite?

That is a tough one. There are many dishes that I can’t get enough of; creamy pumpkin soup, tiramisú, or Indian rice pudding (kheer), for example. But I am sure that I haven’t tried my favorite dish yet. That is why I keep exploring the taste jungle.

You don’t limit yourself to Belgium – how would you compare your experiences in other countries?

The difference is that I don’t have as much time to explore other countries as I have to explore Brussels, so my strategy for other cities is to look up places to eat in advance and try to contact locals for some tips. But I am definitely sad when I leave a city, knowing that there are so many places I haven’t tried. Actually, I still have a long list of places to try in Brussels too.

What foodie havens in Brussels do you recommend?

There are some really nice brunch places all around Brussels. I think restaurants and cafés surpass themselves to propose top quality brunches, because locals love to brunch at the weekends. Here are some examples for all budgets, tastes, and appetites: Les filles, L’oriento, Living room, L’industrie, L’orangerie du parc d’Egmont, Oma, and John & Rose.

What’s the one thing you love most about Brussels?

One of the good things about Brussels is that there is a great cultural diversity. And as a result, you can find all kinds of food. In the same street you can come across a Chinese bakery, a British butcher, a sea food deli, a Belgian meat restaurant, a French baker… You just have to keep an open mind, and be a bit curious, and you will love all the aspects that Brussels can offer.

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