At this restaurant, you have a view of the PSV players’ pitch
In the stands of the Philips Stadium, you’ll find De Blauwe Lotus, a top Asian restaurant. During matches, it is reserved for PSV’s business guests, but on other days you can simply drop in for lunch and dinner.
From Tuesday through Friday, they are open for lunch and dinner; on Saturday, they serve dinner only. From the restaurant, you look out over the famous center spot. Quite an unusual location for an Asian restaurant, don’t you think?
Look carefully
Restaurant manager Hannemieke explains: “In the past, Chang invited PSV’s board and players to come and eat at the Limburglaan. PSV therefore approached us to move here. It’s a great location, with plenty of parking, close to the city center and Strijp S.” You do have to know it’s there, because from the outside it isn’t obvious that they are here. But then again, you always have to look carefully for the best spots, right? Once you’ve found it, it feels like a gift.
Peanut cart
Founder Chang Fa Ching stood at the Eindhoven market in 1950 with a cart full of roasted peanuts. His next step was to open Eindhoven’s very first Chinese restaurant: Pom Lai. This restaurant was later taken over by his sons and daughter, who opened De Blauwe Lotus on the Limburglaan in 1971. In 2004, the business was sold to Hannemieke Smits and Peter van den Luitgaarden; six years ago, they moved the restaurant to the Philips Stadium at the invitation of PSV.
Fusion cooking
De Blauwe Lotus serves Asian cuisine with global influences. Classics on the menu include beef tenderloin sashimi, Japanese-style salmon and Peking duck. They work with changing menus and specialize in fusion cooking.
Quality over quantity
Do you love wok dishes and all-you-can-eat restaurants? Then you’d better keep looking. Hannemieke: “There’s plenty of choice in that area. No, you really shouldn’t come to us for that. We stand for quality. A number of new dishes, such as okonomiyaki—a Japanese pancake with black tiger prawns—are irresistible, as is the 48-hour-cooked pork belly with scallop and red curry.” That sounds much better too, doesn’t it?
Birthday gift
Is there a true PSV fan in your family? Then this is the ideal birthday gift: a view over the Philips Stadium and refined Asian food. You’re welcome.
Image: Bas Leenders
