A Bar with Six Zeroes

The Netherlands’ most fun oyster man, Marcus van den Noord, is going to settle down in Amsterdam. That is, if you help him a little. The crowdfunding campaign for his own Zilt en Zalig establishment in Amsterdam started on 1 May.

A starter of six or so zeroes is quite popular. Usually, these are creuses or sometimes a Zeeland flat oyster, with the number of zeroes indicating the size of the oyster in question.

Grassy green

But anyone who has ever tasted the crisp, fresh-and-briny Special de Utah Beach from Cotentin, Normandy, served by oyster man Marcus van den Noord at the Pure Markt or another outdoor event, no longer wants just any oyster. The next time, they ask for a specific variety from a particular grower or region. A briny, sweet, rich, nutty, grassy green or umami oyster.

Good news for that growing group of enthusiasts: the mobile oyster man who brightens up events throughout the Netherlands with his knowledge, generous laugh and Zilt en Zalig market stall is going to settle down in Amsterdam.

Zilt en Zalig

Together with his wife Silvana, Marcus will open his accessible Zilt en Zalig establishment in mid-October, with the largest selection of oysters in the Netherlands: around 25 fresh varieties in stock.

Zilt en Zalig has the largest selection of oysters in the Netherlands: 25 varieties.

Even more than is possible at the market stall, Marcus will let his guests experience the differences in taste and texture and tell them about the growers’ philosophy—growers he and Silvana often know personally.

Razor clams

But Zilt en Zalig will also prepare Breton lobsters, Zeeland mussels, razor clams and crabs to eat on the spot or buy to take home. Alongside natural lemonades, craft beer and wine.

At least… if you help out. And you will, because surely you also want to be able to taste a briny, herbaceous Cap Horn from the island of Noirmoutier every day of the week? With lavender notes?

Crowdaboutnow.nl

On 1 May, a crowdfunding campaign will start for Marcus’ briny dream. Go to Crowdaboutnow, invest (you can start with as little as 100 euros) and from October onwards, you too will be hanging at the bar with a few zeroes.

Text: Marjan Ippel
Image: Zilt & Zalig