Amsterdam(1) / Netherlands

 I would like to report on the latest gourmet trends in the Netherlands. If you are familiar with the Netherlands
of yesterday, the term "gourmet" may not strike a ring a bell. In fact, every book on the Netherlands that I purchased before I came to this country says that due to the prudent nature of the people, the Dutch diet is simple, and that families rarely dine out other than on special occasions such as birthdays.

 So it may come as a surprise that may restaurants are filled with reservations on the weekends. It appears that work sharing, a practice that has attracted attention in Japan, has succeeded and the number of dual-income families has increased. Combined with the increasing income from the robust economy, the Dutch lifestyle has undergone a major transformation.

 Today's gourmet boom is supported by young chefs who opened their own restaurants after undergoing apprenticeship at fine restaurants. There are common traits in the location and style of these restaurants. Typical locations are an old warehouse of the former East Indian Company at the Port of Amsterdam, a greenhouse in a park on the outskirts of the city, an old water treatment plant, a world-renowned windmill, and an entire train station that has been relocated.

 In many cases, the restaurateurs have cleverly renovated historical buildings that are remote from the entertainment districts. They have succeeded in creating new ambience while retaining the desirable traits from the past. Many of the fares are innovative and international, and are not confined to the traditional categories such as French or Italian.

 One of these restaurants is an extremely popular place called De Kas, which is situated in a renovated greenhouse. My colleagues and I recently had lunch there. De Kas was started by a chef who was trained at a famous downtown hotel and his friends. De Kas cultivates organic herbs and vegetables inside the restaurant, and uses them in its popular daily specials. On the day of our visit, the daily special was duck and herb soup, homemade cucumber pickles, shrimp salad, and, for the main dish, a large serving of vegetables and grilled codfish. I found the delicate flavor to suit the Japanese palate, while my Dutch colleagues were delighted with the large serving.

 In February, there was major news in the Dutch gourmet society. A restaurant in the Netherlands was given three stars by Michelin. For gourmet lovers, the Netherlands is a place to watch.

De Jonge Dikkert, a windmill-modified restaurant in Amstelveen suburb. Today's main dish, "vegetables in season and grilled codfish." The vegetables are picked in the morning inside the restaurant.

Marubeni Group magazine "M-SPIRIT" VOL.10 (July,2002)