Belgo Centraal

Belgo are fun places. Untypical for London, very good value is met with truly unique surroudings. The “all you can eat” mussels are fun. Unfortunately the crowd can get a bit noisy as this type of restaurant will always attract thirsty groups. Yet this doesn't mean that it is worth a try, especially if you like mussels.

Haven't been in years and went last week after seeing Dominic West at the Donmar. The staff look like they have all just come of the set of Mad Max or some other equally apocolyptic film. They also communicate via walky talky which for reasons I cannot fully explain, added to my sense of unease. If you haven't booked then you are held in an area which they call a bar, but believe me feels more like a holding pen. Credit where credits due we were told the table would be ten/fifteen minutes and it was five.
Downstairs is long benches and cages full of bottles of beer. Their thing is mussels and frites and I wanted to be impressed with both but sadly wasn't. Too many very small mussels and frites that just weren't very tasty or crisp. The service was brisk but not terribly bothered. It was very busy and its a young crowd, lots of people sharing stuff which is nice.
Good for taking teenagers and students who haven't eaten for a while.