Which do you prefer for a great dinner - Cafe de Bruxelles or Markt

[applecrumbcake]

I've heard good things about both - any opinion?

[bigjeff]

both places I like, but don't love. would be interested to try flex mussels, and also that place BXL cafe near times square. I assume you're looking for mussels and the like or something else?

[LBNJNY]

I agree that these places are ok, but not remarkable. I have had better mussels at Le Singe Vert on Seventh Ave around 20th Street which also has a burger on the dinner menu. Bruxelles atmosphere is not great for a celebration. Pastis has good mussels and burger on the menu. Is that an option?

[applecrumbcake]

Le Singe Vert seems very noisy and crowded based on reviews. True? Pastis does seem nice and that could be an option.

[stephaniec25]

Le Singe Vert is very cramped and noisy, but still good. Pastis is more scene-y than the rest of the spots you mentioned.

[applecrumbcake]

Thanks everyone -

I am looking for mussels and burgers that is about it. BXL seems a bit crowded and noisy but sounds good. I have not heard of flex mussels.

[anniversary]

have only been to cafe de bruxelles...and loved the mussels and fries...going back again in august.

[stephaniec25]

My favorite moules frites are actually at Resto on 28th street. I'd say Resto over those two.

[applecrumbcake]

Thing is I've heard mixed things about Resto...my future daughter-in-law (lovessushi) was interested in Bruxelles or Markt for her birthday celebration. She seems to think Resto was not as good as these two. I'm interested to hear someone likes it more.

How are the frites at Markt? And my friend will want a burger wherever we go (I will have the moules). - Any preference for which place?

[stephaniec25]

I know I love the mussels at resto and the burger is great, as well.

[ExFlexitarian]

Loved Markt last time I visited. The mussels and steak tartar were really great. They also had an excellent preparation of skate w/beurre noisette and capers.

[david sprague]

bruxelles is absolutely wonderful for moules/frites and a good selection of beer. when i've strayed from that, i've had less enjoyable experiences. would recommend markt overall.

[mrnyc]

david, bruxelles has some unchanging and very long running daily specials and i am a longtime fan of the tuesday hangar steak special. it's great.

my spouse always get the rabbit and prunes off the regular menu. not the greatest version, but it's pretty good too.

more kind of a tossup with markt, but i also lean toward the fries at bruxelles.

[applecrumbcake]

They both sound good...I think we're leaning towards Markt as we won't want just moules. Though some - as mrnyc, have said that other things are good there too.
Is the Markt space a lot different from the old one in Chelsea? That was the last time I was there-

[Lucia]

I agree w/Dave and mrnyc that Bruxelles is great for the moules/frites. The rest of the items I've tried have been good but in a very rustic, home-cooked sort of way (if that makes sense). I've only been to Markt for brunch, so I can't really speak to the dinner entrees. The brunch I had was very good, though.
The new Markt has a similar style to the old one, though it is somewhat smaller and spiffier b/c everything is newer than in the old location. It's a nice space.