Here is how to proceed
step 1 You take the train at Brussels South, Central or Nord: the City-rail tot Leuven (10 minutes before and 10 minutes after the hour). It takes 4, 3 or 2 stops to arrive at Haren-Zuid. You leave the train, take the steps to your left. On the passengers bridge turn left, left and than the right stairs down (very uncomfortable step-stones). Once on street-level go straight-right till you reach the vegetable shop on the left corner. Turn left and straight on. There it is, opposite the ‘Linde’: Toogenblik. You enter the Sleutelgat park and enter through the backdoor.
step 2 You now arrived in what is a legend-under-construction: a singasongwriters club hosted in the former parish priest’s residence. Singers and players from all over the world perform in his former master-bedroom: transformed into a vintage bar from the sixties. You will notice some food-smell. That’s me: live cooking for the artists. Notice I am lower staff but if you see a play by Molière you’ll have noticed that the only truth spoken in the play is delivered by the maids and the servants. I am working for fine performers but also for a bunch of mad man responsible for the management, programming and communication. Rather then my dishes they want to eat each others heart out. Sometimes around a fish-pie or a risotto they forget to fight, certainly when chocolate-mousse or custard-cake is served.
step 3 Meanwhile you are innocently picking some remarkable belgian beers at nonsensical low prices.Listening to the music that brings you back to the days of Elysium. Toogenblik is for country, roots music, singasong guesting talents as Malcolm Holcombe or Woody Guthry’s granddaughter.
step 4 You enjoy the show, but you wonder how you gonna get back to your hotel. Well come up to the kitchen half an hour before you want to leave. A cab will take you back wherever in Brussels for a fix of 8 euros and may be I offer you a little amuse-gueulle or side-dish with you last glass.