In 2001, top chef Gert Jan Hageman found a new purpose for an old greenhouse that belonged to Amsterdam's Municipal Nursery, which was due to be demolished. He converted it into Restaurant De Kas.
Restaurant De Kas is surrounded by a lush green garden and park. Our taxi dropped us off on the street and we walked over a long plank bridge to the eight-meter high spacious glass building that houses the restaurant and nursery. It's a spectacular venue.
Restaurant De Kas' exceptional waitstaff was young, friendly and attentive. Our waitress explained the set three-course menu, based on the day's harvest. There were no choices to be made, although she did ask about dietary restrictions.
There were three starters, two of which were shared by the table. We were each served a bowl of pumpkin soup which was deliciously fresh.
Pumpkin soup with smoked shrimp and arugula Two plates were then put on the table to share; one contained various root vegetables, including beets and multiple varieties of turnips, and the other contained braised carrots with feta. Everything tasted as if it had come right from the garden and, indeed, it had.
Red beets, turnips, green beans, radicchio and sourdough bread
Braised carrots with feta, fennel and celery Our main course was veal cheeks with sweetbreads and red cabbage, over a celeriac purée. It was similar to my main course at Blauw aan de Wal, but much better. The veal cheeks were tender and delicious; the sweetbreads were moist and meaty. It was as good an entrée as we had had on the trip. It was a wonderful dish.
Veal cheeks, baked sweetbreads, red cabbage and celeriac purée Our meal ended on a sweet note with an excellent crème caramel, with Dutch apples and raisin ice cream.
Crème caramel with Dutch apples, rum and raisin ice cream One of the oddities of the set menu at Restaurant De Kas is that multiple plates of the same course came out at the same time, as if we were at a wedding. That being said, if you're invited to a destination wedding in Amsterdam at Restaurant De Kas, we highly recommend you attend. Copyright © 2013 TwoForTheTable.com |
