Pain Quotidien, Hasselt

I've always been intrigued by the Pain Quotidien brand. The bread and menu always look good, but they also always seem quite expensive, but I'd always put that down to London prices. I was pleasantly surprised then to find one in Hasselt recently. The prices are still a little high I find (3€10 for tea), but maybe there's a reason to it, like it's all bio friendly or something of the sort.

So today, before going for a bit of a Saturday morning shop, I stopped by for a cup of tea and a snack.

If you go in for a drink, instead of a takeaway, I think you're meant to order from the table. Both times I've been, they always seem in a rush to serve me at the till, then when I say for in here, it relaxes considerably.  

I like the setting, open and relaxing; a good place to come and read a book, it's very roomy and rustic. 

It's one of the few places I've found so far that actually bring you a little tea pot instead of just a cup. 

Also note, the bowl without a handle to drink from. Very french! Like how you're meant to drink hot chocolate over there. They also give you a little spare bowl to put the teabag in

They have their own brand of tea, and it was very pleasant indeed. 

Although the water in the pot wasn't the hottest, it was enough to infuse the tea quickly, and there's enough in the pot for two bowls of tea (you can't call it a cuppa, really...)
It also came with a small square of chocolate that I've pocketed away for later.

The strange thing about LPQ that I find it that so far, I've not enjoyed their bread...ok, I've only had pastries there (a croissant that was much too rubbery, no flake, and today had a raisin roll), so I can't properly comment on the bread itself, but the other stuff you'd find in a bakery...eh...not been overly impressed yet. 

Still, the butter was delicious, and I do want to go back for a proper brunch sometime. (it's one of the few places in Hasselt open on a Sunday morning! and they have a Yoga studio upstairs)