Description
Petite Abeille, the Belgian chainlet, does all the Euro staples quite well: steamed mussels with twice-cooked fries, croque monsieur, Flemish beef stew, and stoemp, a mixture of mashed vegetables with or without sausage. Most dishes stay under $20, and the portions are worth well more than that. The signature 9-ounce burger oozes with cheddar, as pancetta and a red dressing sticks the whole thing together. The lighter salmon burger topped with cilantro, red peppers, and avocado is just as memorable, and like most dishes on the menu is served with a side of addictive Belgian fries. Brunch can get crowded -- yes, Belgian waffles dominate the weekend menu -- and fluffy omelets come in various combinations with smoked salmon, bacon, and various cheeses. But all are served with sides of stoemp. Bite-size poeffertjes and mini Flemish pancakes are hard to find better anywhere else. --Jessica Goodman
