My all time favourite bar and restaurant in Europe changed owners under dubious circumstances several years ago and I did boycott the location for the next few years. Last summer relented and went back and the premises were as enjoyable as before.

The bar is at the crossroads of three leafy streets, two of them could be called boulevards in appearance. There is a horse-shoe shaped terrace that surrounds the building but divided from the street by a low wall.

Inside the corner room is also roundish in shape and built along the bar in the centre. Dark wood panels, chrome and Belgian beer ads, the interior in short.

There is local beer on tap and Belgian varieties in bottles. Also French cidre and a good variety of open wines. Sodas are of European origin in classic bottles, as are mineral waters. The espressos are mean enough.

As for entertainment, there are newspapers and gourmet magazines spread out at the entrance. Some board games as well but no wifi, thank God. TV sets are only brought out during Football Championships, otherwise no noise other than discussions and the typical sounds of a bar.

This is the city where I began my studies and had an apartment for over 10 years. So nostalgia in the best possible way, sitting there with a glass of white and looking out over the boulevard in early evening...Now should I call my old friend A and go to see football tomorrow?