Slaycation Diaries — Chapter Four
Some of the best food moments when travelling aren’t necessarily the ones you’ve booked weeks in advance.
Sometimes they’re the unexpected pauses in between everything else somewhere comfortable to sit, something tasty arriving at the table and an opportunity to simply enjoy where you are.
During my Belgium getaway with Signature Dreams Events, one of those moments came at ANNA Living & Bar, located inside Crowne Plaza Antwerp.
Rather than a formal meal, we were treated to a selection of beautifully presented savoury snacks, including tasty chicken bites and other small dishes.
Simple, satisfying and exactly what was needed.
Passport Stamp
Destination: Antwerp, Belgium
Experience: Savoury Bites
Venue: ANNA Living & Bar
Location: Crowne Plaza Antwerp
Trip: Belgium getaway with Signature Dreams Events
Best For: Drinks, casual bites and relaxed hotel dining
Discovering ANNA Living & Bar
One of the benefits of staying at Crowne Plaza Antwerp was that parts of our weekend itinerary took place within the hotel itself.
ANNA Living & Bar was one of the spaces we had an opportunity to experience. 
After travelling and spending time enjoying the weekend, having somewhere within the hotel where we could sit down, relax and enjoy a selection of food was incredibly convenient.
The atmosphere felt contemporary and relaxed rather than overly formal; somewhere designed for conversation, drinks and easy dining.
It suited the occasion perfectly.
Savoury, Tasty and Beautifully Presented
When the food arrived, presentation immediately stood out.
We were served a selection of savoury snacks, including chicken bites, presented in a way that made something relatively simple feel that little bit more special.
And importantly?
They tasted good.
Really good.
That’s something I never want to lose as I develop the food side of Slaycation Diaries. Beautiful presentation certainly photographs well, but ultimately, food still has to deliver when you actually taste it.
Here, it did.
The chicken was tasty, the savoury selection was enjoyable and everything was presented with care.
Sometimes you don’t need an elaborate multi-course meal.
You just need good food done well.
The Kind of Food You Want While Socialising
There’s something particularly enjoyable about small savoury dishes when you’re travelling with a group.
They allow the food to become part of the experience rather than dominating it.
You can take a bite.
Have a conversation.
Try something else.
Enjoy a drink.
Go back for another piece of chicken because obviously.
It creates a much more relaxed way of eating.
And after travelling and exploring, that informality was welcome.
Presentation Matters
I’ve always believed we eat with our eyes before we ever take the first bite.
That becomes even more noticeable when you’re creating travel and food content.
A beautifully presented plate immediately creates anticipation.
At ANNA, I appreciated the attention given to presentation. The food looked inviting when it arrived and made me want to photograph it before inevitably getting stuck in.
But presentation only gets you so far.
What matters is whether the food lives up to it.
Thankfully, these bites did.
A Different Side of the Hotel Experience
As I shared in Chapter Three of Slaycation Diaries, Crowne Plaza Antwerp wasn’t simply somewhere we returned to at night.
The hotel became part of the wider Belgium experience.
Having ANNA Living & Bar within the property meant there were opportunities to eat, drink and socialise without needing to leave the hotel every time we wanted something.
For a busy weekend itinerary, that convenience shouldn’t be underestimated.
There is something lovely about being able to come back from exploring, put your bags down and know that food and a comfortable setting are only a short walk away.
Food Doesn’t Always Need an Occasion
One thing I enjoyed about this experience was its simplicity.
There wasn’t a need to turn it into something bigger than it was.
We weren’t sitting down for an elaborate tasting menu or a formal afternoon tea.
We were enjoying tasty savoury food in pleasant surroundings during a weekend away.
And that’s a genuine part of travel too.
Not every food recommendation needs to involve fine dining.
Sometimes you simply discover somewhere that serves exactly what you want at exactly the right moment.
Those places deserve a mention as well.
Would I Eat at ANNA Again?
Based on the savoury bites I tried during this visit, absolutely.
The food was tasty, presented beautifully and worked perfectly for the relaxed nature of the occasion.
I’d also be interested in experiencing more of the menu on another visit, because small bites can often give you a surprisingly good first impression of what a kitchen can do.
For guests staying at Crowne Plaza Antwerp, having a space like ANNA within the hotel also adds another layer of convenience to the stay.
Sometimes after a full day exploring a city, heading back out in search of somewhere to eat is the last thing you feel like doing.
Being able to stay put, order something tasty and relax?
I’m very much here for that.
From My Suitcase
Travel has taught me that not every memorable experience needs to be extravagant.
We’re constantly shown the spectacular side of travel; the incredible restaurants, breathtaking views and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
And I love those moments.
But real travel happens in between them too.
It’s the coffee you unexpectedly loved.
The little place you stumbled across.
The snack you weren’t expecting to be quite so tasty.
The conversations that happen around a table.
And the moments you never planned to remember but somehow do.
ANNA was one of those simple pleasures during my Belgium weekend.
Good food.
Good presentation.
A relaxed setting.
Sometimes that’s more than enough.
Sasha’s Suitcase
Destination: Antwerp, Belgium
Experience: Savoury Bites
Where: ANNA Living & Bar at Crowne Plaza Antwerp
Travelled With: Signature Dreams Events
Best For: Casual dining, drinks, sharing bites and relaxed food during a hotel stay
What Stood Out: The presentation and flavour of the savoury selection
Favourite Bite: The chicken
Travel Style: Relaxed and informal
Would I Eat Here Again? Yes
Slay Score: ★★★★☆
Watch my experience below
Until the Next Chapter
Food doesn’t have to be complicated to leave an impression.
Sometimes all it takes is good flavour, thoughtful presentation and the right setting.
ANNA Living & Bar gave us exactly that; a relaxed food moment that fitted naturally into our weekend at Crowne Plaza Antwerp.
Another taste of Belgium added to the diary.
Slaycation Diaries
Travel Well. Live Fully.
Because the best souvenirs are the memories we make.
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