Seven dishes that aren’t what they seem
Dishes are just like people; sometimes they present themselves as something other than what they are. But in the case of these dishes in disguise we have no problem with that.
Persijn
Restaurant Persijn has one mission: to show that Dutch cuisine can be not only delicious, but also surprising and innovative. The biggest surprise on the menu comes in the form of an seemingly simple tomato. With an almost velvety coating of bright-red tomato powder, a filling of silky-smooth Groningen mozzarella and a bath of basil oil, this tomato is not as simple as it seems.
Branie
With a name that means ‘guts’ in Indonesian, you can expect some daring dishes. The chefs at Branie came up with their own version of Colonel Sanders’ famous chicken. Under the crispy coating, however, you’ll find no chicken, but oyster mushrooms. The KFC – Kentucky Fried Champignons – come in their own bucket with fantastic spicy ketchup on the side.
Vegan Junk Food Bar
You can now find the brightly coloured ‘snack bars’ of Vegan Junk Food Bar all over Amsterdam and, since this year, in Rotterdam too. Alongside vegan burgers and kapsalons, plant-based sushi lovers can also get their fix here. The vegan sashimi is indistinguishable from real tuna and salmon, white stripe included. But it’s made from tapioca starch, seaweed, dried cassava root and bell pepper.
&moshik**
Michelin-starred chef Moshik Roth is a true flavour artist. Our favourite Moshik dish is his now-famous butterfly dessert. This beautiful specimen flutters from the kitchen towards you. With strawberry and hazelnut and an unexpected – but oh-so-delicious – hint of duck liver. The menu moves with the seasons, so let’s hope the butterfly makes an appearance…
Yerba
At Yerba, the chefs transform vegetables into the most creative works of art. Vegetables with no sex appeal? You’ve got it wrong. At Yerba, they turn the ‘packet of butter on a stick’ into a veggie version. Their Magnum ice cream is made from sweet, creamy asparagus with a sinful layer of crisp chocolate.
Gastrobar ELVY by nhow
At Gastrobar ELVY, they serve dishes of the highest level – literally and figuratively. With a view of Rotterdam’s skyline, you can enjoy creative cocktails and refined culinary delights here. One of the highlights? The charcuterie board. Hidden among the slices of Iberico ham are a few stowaways. Smoky watermelon serves as carpaccio, while wafer-thin beetroot disguises itself as chorizo.
Bardak
It looks like shawarma, smells like shawarma and tastes like shawarma. But Bardak’s vegan version is not your usual shawarma – the kind you drunkenly grab on the street corner in the middle of the night. No, at Bardak they make it from mushrooms. And with a blanket of fresh pita and a swipe of homemade sauces, secretly you’ll never want it any other way again.
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