The Bal National, which attracted 18,500 people on Thursday evening, gave way to the Resto National on Friday evening, in Marolles District, Brussels. To mark National Day, a huge 'moules frites' dinner was held on the Place du Jeu de Balle, bringing together more than 2,000 guests at tables of eight.
A typically Belgian menu for the bank holiday, to be shared in good humour among large tables, that’s the principle behind the Resto National.
Cooks worked hard until 8.30pm to serve each guest a casserole of mussels with a portion of chips – or a “stoemp saucisse” for those averse to seafood – to be enjoyed in a bal-musette atmosphere, in the heart of one of the capital’s most popular districts.
The Resto National served 2,100 “moules frites” and 150 “stoemp saucisses,” making a total of 2,250 meals.
Musical entertainment was provided, from 5 p.m, by Funfare and the Mignonettes, a brass band and majorettes from Marolles. They were followed at 6.15 p.m. by Borokov Kolaktiv, and at 7.15 p.m. by 'Rita et les Martins' orchestra. At 8 p.m., it was the giant karaoke 'Bruxelles Zingt' that set the mood until around 10 p.m.
Like the Bal National, this giant 'moules-frites' event was meant to unite Belgians on the occasion of the bank holiday which, this year, marked the 10th anniversary of King Philippe’s accession to the throne.
The meal was sold out well before 21 July. It was possible to book it for a price of €29, while a number of less privileged people were able to sample the menu for the price of one euro, with the support of the National Lottery.
