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Kokuban

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

Rue Belliard, 180What’s good? If you’re looking for a taste of Kyoto in Brussels, this is a good place to start. Kokuban delivers relatively authentic Japanese flavors and choices: The Tonkotsu ramen contains a warming pork broth with a fragrant, rich taste; cold soba, which is perfect for summer; signature gyudon rice covered with a thin layer of nicely marinated beef; tuna salad and the like. (Just don’t expect sushi dishes — they’re not on the menu here.) And don’t miss the ice-cream trio if you have extra appetite for dessert.What’s not? You can’t make reservations for groups smaller than six here — which means you’d better arrive before 12:30 p.m. to grab a table if you’re here for an important meeting. Service could be better during lunch hours, and seating can become overcrowded. In terms of food, there are complaints on other review pages about the sheer amount of noodles in a ramen bowl — a fair assessment but, to be fair, it would’ve been the same cas...

Fonds Marianne : le PNF ouvre une information judiciaire

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

Le Parquet national financier a ouvert une information judiciaire visant directement la gestion du fonds Marianne lancé par Marlène Schiappa, a pu confirmer POLITICO de source judiciaire.“Suite à plusieurs signalements visant la gestion du fonds Marianne, je vous confirme que le Parquet national financier a ouvert ce jour une information judiciaire des chefs de détournement de fonds publics, détournement de fonds publics par négligence, abus de confiance, prise illégale d’intérêts”, a commenté le PNF auprès POLITICO.Créé après la mort de Samuel Paty par Marlène Schiappa, alors ministre déléguée à la Citoyenneté, le fonds Marianne visait à “financer des personnes et associations qui vont porter des discours pour promouvoir les valeurs de la République et pour lutter contre les discours séparatistes”, avait-elle affirmé à BFMTV lors de son lancement.La ministre est soupçonnée d’avoir avantagé des connaissances et même des amis bénéficiaires d’u...

Berlin police probe leak of Zelenskyy trip itinerary

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

BERLIN — The Berlin police have opened an investigation after an officer shared details of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s upcoming visit to the German capital with the press.The information published in the media “contain[ed] confidential details of an operation that is being planned,” the Berlin police said in a statement Thursday, adding that an inquiry into the “breach of secrecy” had been launched.“I find it unbearable that — if you believe the article in the newspaper — a single employee is damaging the reputation of the Berlin police in such a shameful way, both nationally and internationally,” Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik said.Local newspaper B.Z. was the first to report Wednesday that Zelenskyy was set to visit the German capital on May 13, quoting “security sources” and “a Berlin police officer involved in the planning.” The article included details about the Ukrainian president’s itinerary, and the name of the hotel he was going to stay at.News...

Harvest

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

Pl. du Samedi, 14What’s good: As a climate reporter at POLITICO, I was charmed by the idea of a restaurant adjusting its menu to the season and making a point to use local produce and ingredients, and couldn’t wait to check out Harvest. Our meal began with a freshly baked baguette, butter (we’re still in Belgium after all) and a mix of vegetables. The starter was a delicate glazed aubergine served with smoked eels, coulis of watercress, citrus jelly and squash seeds. My non-veggie dining partner loved their Iberico pork secreto main course, which came blended with a white wine sauce, young potatoes, grilled zucchini, shallots pickles and kumquat.The dessert — a revisited Opera cake accompanied by generous diplomatic cream and covered in hazelnut pralines, pomegranate jelly and chocolate ganache — will linger in your dreams for days. Food aside, the care demonstrated by the waitress in describing the food and concept made for an extra treat. What’s not: I wasn’t convince...

Mi Tango

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

Rue de Spa, 31What’s good? Mi Tango offers great steaks and wine right from Argentina, a hotbed of carnivorous cuisine. Mi Tango serves Latin America’s finest, from empanadas to original meat dishes like Lomo or Chorizo served with sides of vegetables, salad and hand-cut potatoes, to dulce de leche topped desserts. It’s a rare find in this town, where Latin American cuisine seems to be mainly represented by Mexican food, according to our Argentinian waitress Agustina Lopez. The burger is a special treat, containing delicious smoky meat and sauce. For those looking for a low-carb option, there are a variety of salads on the menu and the spinach tortellini with truffle cream is a delicious option for veggies, given that Argentina is known for the cultural influence of its large Italian community. What’s not? If you are looking for empanadas that leave you with juice dripping down your arms you might be disappointed. These were a touch dry. Vibe: The small restaura...

Chez Bogna

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

Rue Stevin, 6What’s good? This low-key canteen tucked away in the tranquil streets behind Rue de la Loi is a gem. Come lunchtime, Eurocrats crowd in for the delicious fare, with a surprisingly wide variety of homemade food served up as a buffet.Grab a plate, or takeaway container, and pile it high with tasty meatballs, ratatouille, curried chicken, stuffed cabbage or lasagna. Add a bowl of soup or nibbles from the salad bar, and voilà! With about a dozen varied dish options, vegetarians will feel at home, too.The owner, Bogna, is a kind host who’s welcoming and takes good care of all those who lunch at her canteen, which makes this a special place.What’s not? The space is cramped and it can sometimes be tough to find a table at peak lunch hour, between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. The decoration is a little haphazard, too, but this adds to its charm. So maybe don’t come here if you want to impress a client or sign a deal.Vibe: It’s an intimate lunch canteen with...

Le Tournant

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

Chaussée de Wavre, 168What’s good? Le Tournant left the best till last: the apple sorbet dessert was killer, as was the coffee whipped cream with amaretto. One of the duck dishes was truly top level, stewed in a miso and wakame-based Japanese-style sauce. Unexpected, but really delicious. My dining companion also highly rated the beef cheek cooked with beer from the l’Abbaye de La Ramée brewery. Wine-lovers, you’re in for a treat. The pairing option served up some wonderful and sometimes surprising wines. Besides the tasty red wines that accompanied our meaty mains, we had a beautiful orange wine and a Belgian (yes, I know … ) sparkling wine with our desserts. What’s not? The ceviche was good, including an interesting twist (it was served with earthy flavours like almonds, rather than classic citrus accompaniments) — but Jewfish would not have been my fish of choice. It was a bit too hard for my taste. We were also sat at the fold-out table and chairs by the exit. ...

El Mexicanito

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

Rue Saint-Boniface 29What’s good? With decent Mexican food in short supply around Brussels, we’ve set out to find exceptions to the rule. Our first port of call was El Mexicanito, which offers a colorful and warm ambience with classic dishes from around Mexico. If you’re in a larger group, and want the most authentic experience, look no further than the platter of the traditional tacos al pastor (500g or 1kg depending on the size of your group and their appetites) served with traditional toppings including onions, cilantro, spicy salsa, and, for a tangy twist, grilled pineapple. For cocktails, you can’t go wrong with the signature margarita, rimmed with the house blended hibiscus salt, adding a pop of color to the classic drink.What’s not? While the popular starting plate of nacho libre was good, the portion could have been more generous considering the price point. Vibe: The interior is colorfully decorated with Mexican tablecloths, papel picado hang...

Trump vows ‘to confront’ rape accuser from golf course in Ireland

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

DUBLIN – Donald Trump might not testify in a New York civil trial against a woman who has accused him of rape – but was happy to brand her a “disgrace” Thursday while golfing at his course in Ireland.The former U.S. president hopped off a golf cart to tell reporters he was flying back to New York later Thursday – and launched a four-minute diatribe against his accuser, author E. Jean Carroll. She is suing him over an alleged 1996 attack and for defamation.When asked by reporters whether he was willing to face cross-examination in the New York courtroom, Trump – who has provided only a taped deposition and won’t be required to testify unless he chooses to do so – left open the possibility. His New York legal team has ruled out the prospect.“I’m going to go back [to New York] and I’m going to confront this woman. This woman is a disgrace,” said Trump, who repeatedly declined to call Carroll by her name and insisted he has “no idea who she is.”Trump had been expected only to be videoed...

These popular board games are getting revamped for older adults

Published Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:23:25 GMT

(CNN) — The maker of iconic board games like Scrabble and The Game of Life is retooling these classic games so that aging doesn’t get in the way of older adults continuing to enjoy them.Hasbro, in partnership with Ageless Innovation (a licensee of Hasbro brands), on Thursday unveiled new versions of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit and The Game of Life. Each game has been reimagined to make the play experience more appealing and easier for seniors.Tweaks to the board games feature several age-inclusive components, said Ted Fischer, co-founder and CEO of Ageless Innovation, which specializes in developing toys for elderly consumers.Changes include bigger play pieces that are easier to grasp, larger wording on the boards and refreshed content that is more relatable to an older demographic.The new Scrabble Bingo 3-in-1 edition (priced at $40) has three games — the classic word game of Scrabble, Scrabble Bingo and Scrabble Pass. All three games have bigger letter tiles to hold and ...