Antwerp

Sweets for my sweet and sugar for my tummy

You know that story of the little girl who got an Easy-bake Oven for Christmas and loved baking cakes ever since? Well, that’s not me. First of all, I never got an Easy-bake Oven for Christmas (never asked for one either) and I baked my first cake not so long ago. However, when it comes to eating cakes and pies, I can go all “story of my life” on you.

That’s why I was very happy (being the understatement of the century) when my good friends (and fellow bloggers) Ruth and Babs invited me for the opening of the new “Les Tartes de Françoise” store in Antwerp. Oh dear Lord, was I doing a small victory dance when I found out the store was in fact located on MY side of town (somewhere in the South area – the dodgy part). Arriving at the scene, all I could see was the abundance of pie. No wonder “Share happiness” is their message (or as I like to say: “sharing is caring”).

The story behind Les Tartes de Françoise is rather unique. Françoise and Olivier brought a homemade lemon merengue pie to a dinner with friends somewhere in the good old nineties. Their friends were so impressed they told their friends, who told their friends and so on. After a while Françoise and Olivier got orders from restaurants on the lookout for homemade products. Weddings and birthday parties followed quickly. Keyword of this family business is craftmanship. And boy, do they craft good!

What’s on the menu? Did I mention the pies? Les Tartes de Françoise offers a selection of sweet and savoury pies and quiches, (home)made with fresh ingredients depending on the season (pumpkin pie,  almond and pear pie, carrots and goat cheese quiche, …) and of course a wide range of classics (“Hello gourmand au chocolat, how you look lovely today“). Absolute favorite however is the cheesecake made out of curd cheese with a speculoos crust. Françoise’s cheesecake is so popular it even has its own Facebook fan page.

Does this got you all drooling too? Check out the menu on www.tartes.be and order your cake online.

I will gladly come over for a piece.

Huge thanks and bloggerly love goes out to Ruth Van Soom and Babs Jacops.

Les Tartes de Françoise Antwerp opened in December 2011: Ieperstraat 20-22, 2018 Antwerpen. To add even more plaisir du goût, it’s open every Sunday from 9 am till 2 pm.

Antwerp

Focus on: Charlotte De Cock

Although Antwerp’s artistic reputation was at its highest in the 17th Century (with artists like Rubens, Jordaens and Teniers), present Antwerp doesn’t have to taste defeat. To this day, Antwerp is a prominent art city that plays an important role on the international art market. Its artists are still of great importance in providing insight into current visual culture.

One of those great artists is young Charlotte De Cock (06/10/87). Born and raised in Antwerp, and with no artsy education at all, she started painting in 2007. She learned to paint portraits by staring in the mirror for many hours. When she finally felt like she mastered every little detail of the human face and body, she started to expand her repertoire with other themes, for example her famous “Marie Antoinettes” (based on the movie by Sofia Coppola).

Her inspiration lies in film, music and literature. Her paintings refer to song lyrics and movie titles. Martin Schmitt from Gallery DiMeo (Paris, France) referred to her work as ‘Rock – Baroque’.

She has already been part of numerous exhibitions: “Body of Art” at the Liverpool Street Station (London) and the famous Antwerp gallery Campo&Campo to name a few.

Her latest craze is all about the Native Americans (or American Indians). While watching a Devandra Banhart concert (American singer-songwriter and visual artist) she didn’t only fell in love with him (who can blame her?) but also with his headwear: a full eagle-feather war bonnet which is a common American Indian headdress (fun fact: Devandra Banhart has actually seen Charlotte’s paintings and he’s a self-declared fan).

Inspired by her favorite Molière-quote (the greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it), the search for feathered war bonnets started. Numerous Facebook announcements and phone calls later, she was allowed to use the war bonnets that used to be on display in the Indian Art Museum in Bobbejaanland (a Belgian theme park). The war bonnets were made by designer Nudie Cohn in the 1940s. With great caution and even greater love Charlotte started to portray the precious feathered headdresses on canvas.

“I don’t believe in mistakes. Everything I’ve done, that has also led me into trouble, I think, is a lesson. Therefore I have no regrets.” Charlotte is a young, energetic lady with a broad fascination; psychology, music, history, film and lots of other things paint the soundtrack to her extraordinary life. Besides a painter, she’s also a DJ in famous Antwerp venues (Kissinger, former Café Capital and Café d’Anvers). Her music is all round, from Gainsbourg to Goose (for the musical dummies: from classic French rock to minimal techno). She designs her own clothes and – just like me – she has a passion for cake-baking.

To quote her deceased father Paul De Cock: “Her spontaneous ventures, her resourcefulness and her natural vivacity make her a cheerful person who has the necessary urge to develop her talents…”

If u wanna see Charlotte’s work with your own eyes:

  • WO-MEN in fine art gallery – Wolstraat 45 – 2000 ANTWERP
  • Veste – Sint-Katelijnevest 57 – 2000 ANTWERP
  • De Godevaart – Sint-Katelijnevest 23 – 2000 ANTWERP
  • Brasserie Lids – Veemarkt 4 – 2000 ANTWERP

Stay updated about Charlotte’s upcoming exhibitions, visit www.charlottedecock.com

Sien Josephine


Antwerp

Caffè Internazionale

When it comes to writing a blog there are two things you need: connection (preferably the internet-kind of connection) and coffee. Both are (well) provided in Caffè Internazionale: not the newest, still the hottest but most of all my personal favorite, located in the south of Antwerp.

More than a year ago, Marco Migliore turned a dark empty restaurant into a warm open lunchbar with a vintage and international feel. Popular dish (and also very new for Antwerp) is the pastrami-sandwich. Although this Romanian Jewish specialty has been a famous treat in New York since Katz’s Deli (a kosher-style restaurant) introduced it in 1888, it’s safe to say that Antwerp has also fallen for its beefy charms. Pastrami is typically sliced and served hot on rye bread, accompanied by coleslaw and a salted pickle.

Other foody goodies on the menu are salads, pastas, classic homemade soup (different day, different soup), a huge breakfast choice (which you can get all day long, very interesting on a Sunday) and of course desserts, delicious cheesecake included.

The food is not the only reason why I keep coming back to this place (although it plays a very important role). To me Caffè Internazionale equals home: the staff as well as the regular customers (a.k.a. the people I happily call my friends) are all one big family.

The moment you enter the place you feel the creativity and smell the coffee that goes along with it. Musicians, artists, graphic designers, fellow bloggers, people with ideas; everyone finds their own place at Marco’s huge front room table. A shot of extra caramel in your café latte, a pastrami to go, a freshly cooked, afterhours dinner for Marco’s friends, he’s done (and I’ve eaten) it all.

 

Thank you Marco, for bringing us all together!

Sien Josephine