December in our Bailliage always promises something special. For instance, on one occasion it was a musical, on another a house concert at a castle and this time Bailli Jan Wever, along with Conseiller Culinaire Jaap Postma, ensured we had a beautiful afternoon followed by dinner in the renowned “The White Room” at the Hotel Krasnapolsky.

Early afternoon we gathered in the Grand Café Krasnapolsky for coffee/tea with sweetmeats by Executive Pastry Chef Peter Scholte. Suitably refreshed it was then time to take to Amsterdam’s famous canals for a tour by boat of the city’s Christmas lights.

On board we were welcomed by the skipper, a guide and two gentlemen who immediately provided everyone a glass of mulled wine. It was however a shame that the weather did not really cooperate but the mulled wine tasted fine!

Back at the hotel, the pre-dinner reception saw delicious appetizers served with fine champagne, namely Serge Mathieu ‘Blanc de noirs’. Dinner was in the recently-renovated “The White Room” which is a monument in itself given its “fin du siècle” architectural style.

The kitchen brigade, directed by Jacob Jan Boerma of the Michelin 3-star Restaurant de Leest in Vaassen, put its best foot forward serving a dinner of high quality with surprising combinations, each of which was paired with an equally surprising yet exquisite wine.

MENU

Tartare of bream
mild wasabi miso, cucumber gel
Johanniter Kabinett trocken (Organic) - Helmut Christ

Trout
with green chlorophyll mustard
Melon de Bourgogne ‘La Perdrix de l’Année’ (Organic) - Huchet & Mourat

Langoustine
beetroot, watermelon and red currant
‘Atlantik’ Albariño - Fillaboa

Veluws beef
smoked mash, onion ponzu
Corbières ‘Cuveé Fontanilles’ - Domaine des deux Ânes

NH Collection* dessert symphony
‘Vin d’or’ Riesling - Boschendal

Coffee, tea
sweetmeats

At the close Chevalier Ted Janssen gave the appreciation of the dinner in his own inimitable style. We all agreed that the food and service could not be faulted. Full tribute was paid to all the members of staff, including of course celebrity Chef Jacob, for making our early festive celebration such a successful event.

Caroline de Bruijn-Eriks
Chargée de Presse

*The Hotel Krasnapolsky is part of the NH Collection hotel group