Food is very good here, but Brugge is very touristy (too much if you ask me) so you're not going to get the best stuff there. Belgians/flemings often drink special beers, so very strong, from 5° to 12°. When japs come to visit my brother they're always drunk after one or two beers.
DCharlie, I wouldn't advise to try out french in flaanders. Better to use english if you know that. Some people are fed up with always trying to service the french part by speaking their language, an effort they are notorious for not to reciprocate in the past although things are changing slowly. People will still be friendly but more people here know english than french either way.
Brussels is pretty cool, international. I suggest you do some research since I don't know where to begin with such a broad question. My brother just moved to Brussels the day before yesterday.
In Brussels, go to the cafe Delirum, they have over 2000 different kinds of beers. It's amazing, their menu is like a phone book.
