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New-look Maison Antoine opens on Place Jourdan
Angela Merkel's favourite Brussels chip shop, Maison Antoine, has moved into brand-new premises as part of a major redesign of Place Jourdan in the EU district.
Maison Antoine had been operating out of a portakabin since April while its old home was demolished. The new 50m² building, which cost €477,000, was inaugurated by Etterbeek mayor Vincent de Wolf on Thursday lunchtime.
Manager Thierry Willaert told reporters: "I think we have the finest chip shop in the world. In the old building, it was sometimes difficult to make quality with the equipment we had." He said the addition of a third serving hatch means the queue for chips should be shorter.
Work on the rest of Place Jourdan will begin in January and should be completed by summer. The middle of the square will be pedestrianised, with trees and flower beds, opening up the possibility for restaurants and cafes to extend their terraces in nice weather.
Plans for an underground car park were scrapped after consultation with traders. About 30 parking spaces for cars will remain available around the edge of the square.
Photo: Ophéle Delarouzée/Belga
Comments
I think it is a shame that they made such a modern and large building (and at what a cost - nearly 500K!). I heard that they will also sell drinks and maybe have some tables inside. One great aspect of Place Jourdan is the fact that you can take food (not just frites) into the cafe's and enjoy a drink there. I hope this doesn't mean lost businesses for the cafes there. I wouldn't say they have the best frites - nor do they - as they admit the equipment wasn't the best. Lets see if they can get better now.
I cannot queue for 30-45 mins (at times - ouch!) so if I see a queue, I get my frites at one of the snack bars a few metres away - with just a few minutes wait - and enjoy them with a nice Belgian beer (or 3 :) ) We then watch the queue and have even timed how long it takes - whilst enjoying a nice few drinks!
Its an excellent concept though, in Place Jourdan - and even restaurants will accept frites/food bought in.
I wish them luck, in any event and hope that Place Jourdan will retain this atmosphere.
Jon