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Designers Labels Av Louise & Bd de Waterloo

Shop The street that shouts out ‘Shopping!’ is the Boulevard de Waterloo and Avenue Louise — wide avenues lined with international designer labels, from Gucci to Prada and Louis Vuitton. But even here there is a unique flavour — if you know where to look. On Avenue Louise, Natan cuts a distinct figure of minimalist chic at number 158, Olivier Strelli exudes understated style with flashes of colour at number 72, and Chine (no 82) is the shopping equivalent of a very good box of Belgian chocolates. Buy one of these ultra-feminine but very wearable numbers, and you will be drawn back for more.

Wine and dine Gucci bag in hand, you will want to rest your shopping-wearied feet — particularly after tramping around all day in your Manolos. The talk of the town is the recently opened Cospaia bar-restaurant (1 Capitaine Crespel, +32 (0)2 513 0303). Begin with cocktails served by David François, judged Best Belgian Barman in 2006.Then, on slightly unsteady feet, decide where to dine. On the terrace overlooking the Avenue Louise? In the mysterious space centred by a silver tree sculpture? Or in the private dining room, cocooned by black velvet walls and discreet sound system. Whatever your choice, the menu is classic French cuisine served with a long wine list. Top choice for dessert is a Marcolini chocolate creation. Just five minutes away, Chef Laurent Brouwers and his team serve up fusion food in the Guru Bar (8 Chaussée de Boondael, +32 (0) 2644 5434). Try Thai soup with crisp vegetables and giant shrimps, and indulge in cocktails from the zebra-striped bar. Bring cash (credit cards are not accepted) and a big appetite to En Face du Parachute (578 Chaussée de Waterloo, +32 (0) 2 346 4741) where the menu, scribbled on a blackboard, changes with the season.

Party Brussels’ clubs don’t heat up until 1am so why not kill time over a cocktail and rev up a gear at Rosa’s bar-restaurant-club (36—37 Boulevard de Waterloo, +32 (0)2 502 2252). Louise Gallery draws international DJs and a smart clientele to its underground haunt beneath a shopping mall.

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