Some people dread turning 30, or 40. Not me. I thoroughly enjoyed both occasions as great opportunities to gather friends and family. Today, it was Femke’s turn – she is celebrating her 30th summer. Although not as relaxed about it as I was, I do think she enjoyed the day.
She already received most of her gifts, so we started with breakfast in bed with freshly baked bread from the bakery. The big event, however, was to be in the evening, when we spoiled ourselves with a magnificent five dish dinner (plus surprises) at the elegant Restaurant De Kas.
A glass of white wine in the gardens was followed by gazpacho with tempura-courgette and courgette flower, Dutch shrimps with an aubergine compote and Indian papadam, and as a third starter, a marvellous lamb dish served with chanterelle mushrooms, green beans and pea puré. To this, we drank a nice Italian Primitivo wine.
The main course was a delicately cooked seawolf resting on a bed of barley, green peas and a lobster sauce. The recommended Belgian chardonnay (wijnkasteel Genoels-Elderen 2006) was a very good match, with its powerful nose and full taste.
As dessert, we devoured a splendid concoct of pannacotta with strawberry sauce and a berry sorbet.
But the evening didn’t end there. I had arranged for us to stay over in a very special place – one of the former secret catholic churches from the 18th century, now transformed into a one room-hotel in central Amsterdam, called Op Het Altaar (under the altar).
As I am writing of peculiar lodgings in the Netherlands, this was just another case of my diligent research. And I think Femke appreciated the sparkling wine and the strawberries.
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