The whole place is warmly litĮven the bar snacks are indulgent, skewing to decadent – crevette croquettes, moules-frites ravioli, mini Dame-Blanche waffles (served with ice cream, whipped cream and melting chocolate. The walls are covered in abstract murals the bronze bar is elegantly underlit warmly lit corners hold ensembles of settees and chairs covered in deep-green and rosy velvet. With a menu of 10 original cocktails, inspired by Brussels’ favourite surrealist son and crafted by Salvatore Calabrese, one of mixology’s elder statesmen, it’s a tailored and sexy experience.

Black Magic cocktail © Rocco Forte Hotels The bar’s abstract murals and velvet settees and chairs Opened just in time to raise a glass of bubbles (or a Trappist ale) amid all the holiday gezelligheid is Bar Magritte, the Amigo’s very chic-looking new drinks venue. It’s a city that cops a bad rap as a too-staid, too-snoozy centre of policy, diplomacy and bourgeois pastimes, when in fact it has great cafés and bars, excellent 20th-century design and shopping – and has supremely authentic Euro-Christmas energy. I have a soft spot for the Hotel Amigo, much like I have one for Brussels itself. Le Surréalisme, c’est chic in Brussels Bar Magritte at Hotel Amigo Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

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