This is what you need to know about Soenil Bahadoer’s new restaurant GEM.
Big news in the world of fine dining! Restaurant GEM., the new restaurant from two-Michelin-starred chef Soenil Bahadoer and his hostess Annu Bachu, is open. In the gatehouse of the fairytale-like Gemert Castle, Soenil serves his characteristic, distinctive dishes. With views of a medieval moat and a chef’s table right next to the gleaming new kitchen. Michelin awarded GEM. two stars straight away!
From Nuenen to Gemert: a new chapter
After more than 30 years and two Michelin stars, restaurant De Lindehof (Nuenen) closed its doors last May. For Soenil and his fiancée Annu (known from The Real Housewives van het Zuiden), the adventure in Gemert began. Not in just any building, but in the gatehouse of Gemert Castle, which now has the allure of a five-star resort. Romantic suites, gleaming wellness facilities, tower rooms and… designer bitterballen on the terrace (okay, we’re adding that last bit for now).
Designed by Piet Boon
GEM. was designed by none other than Studio Piet Boon. Two floors filled with serene luxury, round seating areas, artistic lighting by Frederik Molenschot, and an open kitchen where you can smell Soenil’s magic directly. On the mezzanine? A patisserie that will have you staring hungrily. And we haven’t even mentioned the cheese and wine room. Yes, this is serious business.
What do you eat at GEM. and what does it cost?
In Soenil’s signature style, just as at De Lindehof, you can recognise his love for his Surinamese-Hindustani roots. Combined with a classic French cooking style and an eye for detail, this produces stunning dishes. Incredible in terms of flavour and beautiful to look at. From lobster with papaya, harissa, kimchi and pomtayer to foie gras with strawberry, macadamia and pink pepper. And thanks to a daily harvest from the castle garden, a large part of the greenery on your plate comes from the garden next to the restaurant.
Prices for dinner and wine pairing at GEM.
In the evening, a six-course menu is served. This costs 265 euros, while a fully plant-based menu costs 245 euros. Prefer lunch? You can choose from a 4-, 5- or 6-course menu. There are also all kinds of extra supplements if you really want to go all out, such as 30 grams of caviar for 95 euros. And of course, there are different wine pairings to accompany the meal; from regular (110 euros) to prestige (225 euros) and alcohol-free (85 euros).
Chef’s table & patisserie heaven
The setting is intimate, without any stuffy atmosphere. You can literally sit nose-to-kitchen at the Palux kitchen at the chef’s table. Or take a seat on the mezzanine, where you have a view of the patisserie. Always a good idea if you want to take a look at dessert first before committing to the full six courses. Although; desserts go straight to your heart, right?
Making a reservation at GEM.
Gemert Castle will open in 2026 as the first five-star superior hotel from Curio by Hilton in the Benelux. But the good news is that overnight stays on the estate are already possible. In a Tower Suite in a 14th-century main tower, or in glass sleeping pods in the garden. What a fairytale!
Making a reservation at GEM works according to a clever system: on the first day of each month at 10:00 a.m., the system opens for bookings two months ahead. Want to get a table? Have your coffee ready, refresh the page and go!
Also read:
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- The 14 stupidest things tourists do on holiday in Greece
- Kwekkeboom launches Minibitterballen: small in size, big in flavour
Images: Buro Food, Gemert Castle, Tony Perez
