Mannequin Pis Belgian Bistro

"If you like all different types of mussels this is the place. The food is delectable. The salads are amazing. This is a great place for foodies."

"Mannequin Pis, deriving its name from the renowned "Little Pissing Man" sculpture in Brussels, Belgium, is a restaurant specialized in Belgian Cuisine.  Est in 1999, it nestled itself within the center of Olney, MD, hidden in a discreet alley just off the bustling plaza. But, as it says that if the food in a restaurant is good, its location does not matter as diners will find it. We had frequented this establishment in the past. However, we haven’t been there since its changes in ownership. Thanks to a dinner gift certificate from our daughter, we returned to its place again. Synonymous with the reputation of Belgian cuisine, Mannequin Pis centers its menu around the mussels, frites, and beers.  It has an extensive selection of Mussel Pots (De Mosselen) – a kilo of mussels enrobed in an array of ambrosial broths, accompanied by the Pomme Frites, a fancier name for French Fries. We chose the “Snob” broth that consists of celery, onions, herb, lobster bisque and garlic and brandy, which proved to be a delightful choice that I heartily recommend. Besides the De Mosselen, you can also find other Belgian specials like Belgian Bier Beef Stew (Carbonnade) and the traditional Flemish seafood stew, Seafood Waterzooi, which is essentially the Belgian equivalent of French bouillabaisse or Italian Cioppino but enriched by an abundance of mussels, stands as my personal favorite. As for the beer, we embarked on a tasting of contrasts – the robust Chimay, reminiscent of an IPA with its 9% alcohol content, and the delicate La Chouffe, a golden, unfiltered blond beer. La Chouffe, adorned in a lustrous hue of golden-yellow, tasted pleasantly fruity and had a mild taste of hops. In stark contrast, the Chimay, an esteemed Trappist-style Belgian beer, was quite potent, swiftly casting a spell of dizziness. In summation, Mannequin Pis is a small establishment, yet within its cozy European-style ambiance, it exudes a warmth that are perfect for couples on double-dates or dine with cherished friends. Note: as shown in photos 1-7, we have also received home delivery in the past."

"Went for early dinner. Ordered escargot and smoked salmon appetizers. Also moules Provençal et frites. We ate everything. It was excellent! This is a hidden gem in Olney and I wish I had come here before! First visit and I’ll be back because there are a couple of dozen preparations of mussels…different sauces etc. Service was outstanding. Pleasant ambience."

"I'm sad it took me years to finally try this place. This has sky rocketed to the top of my favorite places to eat! Mussels were fantastic, fish was perfectly cooked as well as the risotto and then the chocolate moose was bomb! Service was very good and felt really at home. Will be back regularly!"

"The best European restaurant in Olney, Maryland Was my daughter’s graduation day we went to this restaurant with some family members and friends and the food and service. It was above and beyond what we expected it excellent food European style if you want To relax and enjoy a good meal and a glass of wine. This is your place."