A Weekend With Marionettes, Gueuze, and Vietnamese Curry

A Weekend With 
Marionettes, Gueuze, and Vietnamese Curry


I recently brushed against a curious advertisement for a marionette production of Faust--and paused. Marionette, huh? How European.

Glorious are the opportunities afforded to us by the internet, for I was pleased to find that, even with Faust no longer on the schedule, still more shows were to be had. The theater, Toone; the current production: Jekyll & Hyde.


With friends found, we ourselves found Toone theater only with the help of well-positioned signage. It rests down an unassuming alleyway and stands as a marker of times when city centers had little more to offer than an inn and pub for local entertainment. There is also an attached bar whose wooden interior and marionette-laiden decor conjured images of the seedier, ill-weathered life of our beloved Pinnochio.

Amateur captures of Toone's Jekyll and Hyde:

I am an advocate for the resurgence of puppetry in popular culture, so this was a most exciting experience. The performers moved with great skill and ambidexterity--so much so, I soon forgot their presence entirely. All the characters were voiced by one performer, who, I do believe was also the ticket seller, master of ceremonies, and refreshment vendor.

Toone, as I am told, does not favor well in the strict confines of the great theatrical or literary works it produces. That being said, I am pleased to report that their showing of Jekyll and Hyde, while still true to the original story overall, was flavoured with many-a contemporary reference and sexual inuendo. And you are forewarned--the entire performance takes place in French (which made for quite the happy Kat).


For more information regarding Toone Theater, see below.

---------------------------------------------------------
Toone Theater
http://www.toone.be/

The website is relatively easy to navigate and reservations can be made without payment in advance. They have performances Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, but we opted for a 16h00 show (Saturdays only). I would estimate seating for more than 70 people, but we occupied less than 20 that afternoon.

Adults: 10 euro / Students: 7 euro
Just a skip from Grand Place, city centre.
---------------------------------------------------------

Before I delve further, I should probably acknowledge that I plan to comment on the different beers that I just so happen across. Call it a personal archive, if you will.

That being said, I just recently tried Gueuze. I savoured Kriek on a previous occasion, but Gueuze is straight lambic--none of this fruity-tooty-oh-so-goody Morello cherry business. Lambic, known best by its process of spontaneous fermentation, is special to the southwestern region of Belgium. The taste also greatly differs from ales and lagers, as I was unfortunate to discover.

Also spelled "Geuze"--Here, I chased my lambic with a tarte au citron vert (oddly reminiscent of key lime pie)

While I appreciate the spirit of adventure and of trying new things, that was about all I could stand to appreciate when drinking Gueuze. It was rather pugent--but caustic smells aside, the taste was too yeasty. Essentially, there was a strong cidery bite at first, followed by a bitter, sour aftertaste that simply disagreed with my tastebuds.

But alas, I will eventually try Gueuze more times than this once. Perhaps it was simply an ill-fitted brand. Or perhaps Gueuze itself is an acquired taste, like blue cheese, black olives, and after-school sitcom replays from the 1990s.
---------------------------------------------------------

Onward to the more satiating...

Should you ever find yourself hankering for great Vietnamese food while wandering the area near Flagey--stop. look. and find tram 81. Follow the tracks north, and before reaching Avenue Louise, look to your right. If you can make it past the local rotisserie, which so often tempts me with its unwavering aromas, seat yourself in the Vietnamese restaurant nearby (whose name I completely omitted to remember). It's here that you will be greeted with a dish such as this:

12 euro set dinner includes:
*choice of soup (I recommend the pho--a staple Vietnamese dish, plus the beef was the most tender I've had in some time. A little on the salty side, but delicious in its small proportion)
*imperial roll with sauce
*savory beef curry with vegetables a-plenty
*rice (with bits of corn, peas, and bell pepper added)
*pickled cabbage

*one fried onion ring and apple slice
*dessert

The restaurant is open seven days a week as well. Bon appetit!