Belgian food and beer

Four consecutive nights of inadequate sleep finally took a toll on my body. I was like a zombie yesterday. After my eyelids became too heavy for me to do any productive work, I left the office to snatch a nap so I don't run the risk of falling asleep at a birthday party later at night.

The group met at Brussels Sprouts, a chic Belgian Bar & Bistro, to celebrate Patricia's birthday and CH's belated birthday. Naturally we had Belgian food and beer. Even the wall is decorated with the famous Belgian character Tintin and his dog Snowy!

In case you're wondering, the vegetable brussels sprouts is nowhere to be found on the menu. The birthday girl, who is a vegetarian, had a platter of cheese, lots of olives, salad and fries.

Patricia (on the left) and Christiane.

Marinated olives with lime, chilli, herb de Provence and olive oil.

The rest of us treated ourselves to sinful food like glazed pork belly scented with ginger, chilli, star anise served with braised red cabbage and caramelised apple. It was DELICIOUS! So tender and full of flavour.

Most of us ordered the famous Belgian specialty - mussels and fries. Here at Brussels Sprouts, you can choose to have your mussels cooked in a multitude of ways including Asian styles like Tom Yum or devilled curry.

Mine was cooked in a cream sauce (A L'ardennaise) with ham, leek, butter, cream, onion, parsley and mushroom.

A pot of steaming hot mussels.

We were all given a bucket of fries which was so addictive especially when dipped in the creamy mussel stock.

The birthday girl was showered with presents. A lovely cake was brought out as another round of beer was ordered.

I couldn't stay up late on a weekday and had to leave the gang behind. It was a wise move of course because I no longer feel like a zombie today.