Loui Cocktail Bar & Restaurant — Restaurant in Brussels

Title: A Culinary Odyssey: Unraveling "Loui's Luncheon Lament" in Walter Benjamin's Style

Introduction:

"Loui's Luncheon Lament" takes us on a whimsical journey through the culinary landscape, unraveling unexpected twists during an ordinary luncheon at Loui's. Inspired by Walter Benjamin's literary style, this essay explores the song's verses, choruses, and bridges, revealing layers of meaning that transcend the mundane and offer insights into contemporary culinary culture.

Verse 1: The Culinary Entrance

Entering "Loui's spot" beneath the "luncheon light," anticipation builds as the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary. "Quick smiles" and perceived serenity set the stage for an adventure, echoing Benjamin's exploration of the aura surrounding objects.

Chorus: Ambiguity in Culinary Delights

The chorus introduces a dichotomy – the "delightful surprise" of tossed nuts and the ethereal "petite cokes, nectar from the skies." Echoing Benjamin's fascination with ambiguous aesthetic experiences, it blends the mundane with otherworldly qualities.

Verse 2: Investment in Time and Rhythmic Rhymes

Summoning courage, the protagonist's decision to stay put becomes an investment in time, resonating with Benjamin's musings on temporal experiences. "Free cokes on the house" serve as rhythmic rhymes, harmonizing the dissonance of culinary delay.

Bridge: Protracted Wait and Culinary Decree

The bridge narrates the arrival of sandwiches, marked by an "hour-long plea." This temporal disjunction aligns with Benjamin's contemplation of time in modernity, where urgency and waiting interplay. The "culinary decree" reveals the meal's authoritative power, exposing hierarchical dynamics.

Verse 3: Culinary Dissection

Dissecting club sandwiches, the verses delve into a Benjaminian analysis. Ingredients are likened to literary fragments – chicken auditioning for the Sahara, tomatoes questing for personality. "Butter, not mayo" introduces a Dadaist element, rupturing expectations.

Chorus: Mundane Fries and Culinary Dares

The chorus underscores the dichotomy between mundane and extraordinary in the culinary spectrum. "Cherished fries" symbolize culinary normalcy, while questioning their not being "mind-blowingly amazing" challenges convention, echoing Benjamin's belief in transformative potential.

Bridge: Derridean Whispers and Culinary Textuality

Invoking Derrida's philosophy – "Nothing outside the text" – prompts contemplation on the meal as narrative. Loui's meal becomes a textual experience; ingredients and flavors, like words, exist within a framework of signification, rendering the culinary narrative complex and layered.

Outro: Culinary Charade and Cautionary Note

In the conclusion, the song morphs into a "slapstick charade" and a "culinary crusade." A cautionary note humorously warns against Loui's allure, urging preservation of time, resources, and taste buds from potential tragedy.

Conclusion:

"Loui's Luncheon Lament" weaves a textured tapestry of culinary experiences, temporal reflections, and existential ponderings. In the style of Walter Benjamin, the song offers a lens to reevaluate the ordinary, unveiling a rich tapestry of experiences within the seemingly mundane act of dining at an overpriced but...

Convenience should never be a substitute for quality. I stayed at the hotel and after long days of enjoying Brussels, I wanted to relax and enjoy a snack and adult beverage. The Loui's Mai Tai was delicious and cost 19 Euros, the problem lies in the fact that the drink was 75 % ice. I mentioned the excessive ice and was told that was the recipe. Another waiter came over and offer another drink complimentary, which would have me leaving a positive review, except for visit 2. I ordered the truffle parmesan frittes which were delicious but not warm on visit one. This time I specifically ordered them hot. They cane with a hot bowl but lukewarm fries, when I shared with the waiter they were not hot, he was put out, the manager came over and said you want them hotter, came back in 2 minutes with a hot bowl and frittes that were clearly microwaved. For Frittes that cost $14 Euros they should be served as ordered. The croquettes both shrimp and cheese, below average. The carpaccio was average. Please save your wallet and go somewhere that has quality food...

Full disclosure: I had an 85 euro voucher via Amex, otherwise I'm normally a street food kind of guy.

Stayed at the Wilchers for two nights and decided to try the bar and restaurant because Amex gave me a voucher. I ordered a Whiskey Sour, Old Fashioned, and Guinea Fowl with vegetables.

Old Fashioned was quite good. A little sweeter than I am used to but not too sweet.

Whiskey Sour was excellent.

The Guinea Fowl was perfect. It was crispy on the outside but still moist, and the tomatoes were the best I've ever had (I normally hate tomatoes but loved these) but the pièce de résistance was the Tarragon Sauce. I would do unspeakable things for that recipe.

My only real complaint was the service was a little slow. The managers were quite attentive but I felt the waiters were a little busy with other (larger, better dressed) groups which hey, I get. None of my needs went unmet, the food took a bit to come out but you can't rush perfection. Overall I am quite happy with...