NOTE: This location is now closed.
We were on our own for lunch today. Laura had stuff to do at Furman, and I had a rehearsal this morning. I’d planned on something quick after rehearsal, so was en route to Taco Hell when I saw that Belgian Delights was now open. I had to give it a try.
Background
This place has had a mixed heritage. The building itself is of generic fast food design, and started life as a Schlotsky’s. Later, it opened as the Market Square Deli. The deli had its share of problems, closed, then reopened a couple of years later under the same name, only to close again.
The new Belgian Delights sign was the first indication that something new was on its way. It was intriguing – there were weird molecular shapes and dinosaurs on the sign. It certainly caught my attention, and made me want to find out more.
Atmosphere
Despite the generic fast food bones of the building, the new owners have done a great job of refurbishing the place. Upon walking in the door one is immediately tempted by the smells of cooking waffles and crepes. The walls are decorated with over-sized photos featuring scenes from Brussels, Belgium.
There was one large group, and a couple of others in the place when I arrived.
Menu
As one might imagine, waffles, crepes, and pastries dominate the menu. There are many breakfast items. There were also two lunch crepes on the menu – one with ham and other ingredients and one with salmon and shrimp.
An unusual offering was kabob subs. These featured a kabob placed on a sub sandwich roll. Several meat options were available. These were served with fries. There were also several dinner entree’s, many of these also kabobs.
Prices were VERY reasonable. The most expensive dinner item on the menu was less than $10.
Food
I ordered the salmon/shrimp lunch crepe and a bowl of the tomato soup. The soup was creamy, thick, and had large croutons in it. The flavors were wonderful. As for the crepe, it was an amazing gourmet experience. Smoked salmon and small shrimp were placed on top of the crepe, which was filled with a heavy sauce/gravy with capers. It was quite savory, and the gravy reminded me of a seafood bisque which Laura makes, which is one of my favorite dishes. The crepe itself was light and tasty – the perfect accompaniment to the heavier sauce. On the side was a small salad with vinaigrette dressing. Both the soup and crepe complimented each other perfectly.
Service
Service was very friendly and efficient. My food came out quickly after ordering, and never lacked for anything.
I had asked about a couple of the photographs on the walls. My waitress said that she didn’t know about them, since she was from Romania and not Belgium. Apparently this was really an international affair. The owner did come out, and in his very poor English described the various photographs for me. It turns out that the dinosaur on the sign is from a museum exhibition, and the molecule is the Atomium from the 1958 World’s Fair.
It certainly catches your attention
Conclusion
Belgian Delights is a welcome addition to this stretch of Wade Hampton. With Acropolis next door, Paulista Grill and London’s down the road, it increases the international offerings in the area. I want to come back and try some of the kabobs and other Belgian delicacies. This also looks like it would be a good place to drop in and get a coffee and pastry rather than a full meal. I hope they do much better than the previous occupants of this building.