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Brussels restaurant industry calls for stricter regulation in Rue des Bouchers

10:22 23/02/2015

Horeca Brussels, the industry organisation that represents hotels, restaurants and catering businesses, is calling for more stringent action against malpractice in restaurants located in Rue des Bouchers, in the centre of Brussels. The majority of the complaints received by the organisation have to do with the infamous street, including everything from food safety issues to illegal terraces, reports brusselnieuws.be.

Horeca Brussels’ vice president Marc Van Muylders has therefore requested that the federal food safety agency carry out more checks on food safety and hygiene in Rue des Bouchers. "There are some good restaurants in that street,” he said on Radio 2, “but there are also a few restaurant owners who don’t take a single rule into account."

Social media has a lot of influence these days, Van Muylders told brusselnieuws.be. “Negative reviews of certain Rue des Bouchers restaurants on social media are particularly detrimental, but also to the image of the city. The real shame is that there are a number of long-standing, honest, family-run restaurants there, too.”

Some of the negative reviews mention food safety problems, while others refer to disputes over exaggerated prices, or the illegal practice of trying to lure customers inside.

Written by Robyn Boyle

Comments

elliota2

The only time I ate there we were offered a menu with three courses and a glass of 'champagne'. My glass had lipstick on it, there was hair on the tablecloth, the place smelled like damp, we ate as fast we could as we felt sorry for the waiter. So far the worst dinning experience of my life, shame that such an iconic street has to be remember like that.

Feb 23, 2015 14:06
Pobble

This street really does feel creepy. Last time we walked through, we were accosted several times and a definite "No, thank you!" was not well received .... it is a shame for the few good restaurants in this area. I am embarassed when I take visitors there, but it is a symptom of the entire "Grand' Place-Plastic-Tourist-Land" ambiance.

Feb 23, 2015 15:03
adyepj

It is about time. I fully support this initiative to raise standards in this important area for promoting Brussels and Belgian Cuisine. While there are a few really good restaurants here, the majority are among the worst in the city. I feel ashamed of this part of Brussels.

Feb 23, 2015 19:25