New Rock Vallee

This is going to be quite an unusual review. Before you visit this bar, check out the location. It is in an industrial zone, just opposite the Brussels Karting centre. If you are into industrial design, you’ll love the area. All other mortals will probably need convincing. I was convinced by a friend who goes to New Rock Vallee regularly and I can honestly say that this is a hidden gem!
A typical brown Belgian café run by a woman who took over the bar 6 years ago and gave it a much needed boost. She kept the classic tiles and décor and the homey feeling of a neighbourhood bar. Again, check the area so the fact that this place has many regulars says something. The area is perfectly safe, by the way. It just doesn’t look safe because the factories are deserted in the evening.
She did add some seriously good cooking to the mix at very, very decent prices. She has the usual selection of sandwiches and crocques and pasta which I guess cater to the lunch crowds but … When I say seriously good cooking, I mean it. I have never been to a bar that serves you fresh scampi with your choice of sauce made a la minute! I asked for the devil’s sauce which is as spicy as you want it because she makes it on the spot. You can also choose how many scampi you want and there are refills on the fries (the slightly wider variety, my favourite). Yum!
At the table next to us, people ordered the dish of the day which was homemade meatloaf with stoemp (mashed potatoes with vegetables mixed in) and green beans as a side dish and the portion was gigantic for 15 euro if I remember correctly. They were first time visitors as well and were too full to have dessert but then decided to show their appreciation by ordering Irish coffees.
My table mates had 1.3k of mussels per person (which cost between 21.5 and 23.5 euro depending on the sauce you chose. Let me point out that normally, you get 1k at good restaurants and 0.8k at average restaurants for much higher prices!) and 300 g steaks that cost 16 euro and 2.5 euro for a side order of freshly made mushroom sauce. The steak was very tender and of high quality and nobody could remember the last time they got that much steak for this amount at a bar.
I will most definitely go back there when I can and hope you all make a trip to this weird location to discover the place. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because the bar is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
I was there on a Friday evening and we were about 15 people eating plus 4 regulars at the bar and the owner and her bar assistant managed flawlessly and with relaxed but very acceptable waiting times. Are dishes where served at the same time which really impressed us since our dishes were very different and all cooked and served by the owner, with a smile!
Oh, if you are Belgian and into the whole Flemish vs French speaking thing. This bar is in Haren (Brussels) on the edge of Machelen (Flanders). The owner (Daphne) is Flemish and the menu and service bilingual, making it a second reason why this is a hidden gem worth visiting!
I am going to click ‘Has TV’ below. New Rock Vallee has a big screen which I believe they use for sports nights and such. When we were there a nature document was on on silent so it gave a nice effect.
Really, take a tour of industrial Machelen on a day off or skip that lunch buffet at Makro next time you are in the area on a weekday and go to this place. I’d be curious to read what you think and hope you help me recommend New Rock Vallee.

La meilleure cantine de Machelen
Ce petit restaurant situé en plein coeur de la zone industrielle de Machelen, je l’adore. C’est un restaurant tenu en famille. Pour l’acceuil et le service le sourire est toujours au rendez vous. Le service est rapide, c’est pas cher, vu le lieux le choix est varié, des plats du jour toujours différents et les classiques toujours très bons. Que ce soit les plats de pâtes, les omelettes, l’escalope pané, les salades, le chateaubriand… tout est bon et en quantité. Plus qu’un restaurant, je le qualifierai de cantine où on mange comme à la maison et où on se sent comme à la maison… Même les sandwichs à emporter sont copieux.