Park Bruges Cafe

Introduction by Pittsburgh Happy Hour 

Krista Bland wrote this weeks review due to my untimely absence from happy hour. The Flemish and the Walloons are a hardy people. Knowing very little of their culture, I attribute their hardiness to their taste for chocolate, beer and strange liquors unbeknownst to a simple Pittsburgh man raised on river water. My favorite story involving the Belgians is when my friend Meredith insisted that my friend Wade was Belgian because of his blonde appearance and heavy accent after consuming a bottle of vodka. This is to say, I know very little of the culture. Let's hear what Krista Bland has to say about Park Bruges Cafe:

By Krista Bland

There are a huge selection of Belgian beers (about 20-30) Try the Rodenbach! One of my personal favorites. The style is called Flanders red, but the beer is slightly sour due to the yeasts used in the fermentation process.  A coppery-red color and dry finish. The tart flavor is thirst-quenching and it goes well with food.  Park Bruges doesn’t have a big enough bar for large groups - there are about 15 seats. Don't invite too many friends. 

The burger looked pretty good (I stole a glance at Matt’s, and it had a nice amount of char and melty cheese) However, for the $10 price tag, I decided on the tartes flambées. Basically large flatbreads (about the size of a dinner plate.) Crème fraiche, caramelized onions, and ham dotted the thin, crispy crust. Tarte flambée refers to a thin crust dough baked, usually in a wood oven, and topped with traditional Alsatian toppings, exactly like what I ordered. The flavors worked well, although being a salt lover, I wished there was a little more ham.  Personal preference.

I've had the frites before (editors note, this is fancy for french fries and I always order them as french fries to anger the waiter), and those are always excellent. Presented extra crispy due to the double fry. They are served with mayonnaise (garlic here, although sister restaurant Point Brugge offers basil mayo) in the European style.