Can you name a famous gourmet Dutch dish? Amsterdam is not really known by its gastronomy, but
this is all about to change, passionate Duth Chef Schilo at Tunes Restaurant at the
Conservatorium hotel, is at the front of this slowly changing food scene,
delivering beautiful and well crafted dishes. Schilo is a world-class chef who has worked in Michelin starred restaurants in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
Before accepting his current position Schilo van Coevorden was
executive chef at the Finca Cortesin resort in
Marbella, Spain.
sampling his floral menu and staying overnight at the elegant Conservatorium Hotel was a delightful experience that has
somehow changed my views about Amsterdam as a food destination.
very stylish reception |
The Conservatorium Hotel, a 5* establishment and part of the Leading Hotels of The World, is located in the museum hub of the city (Museumplein). The hotel was been completely refurbished and opened it’s doors in 2011. The grandeur of the Neo-Gothic building is breathtaking. Originally built in the end of the 19th Century and transformed in a design-lead contemporary luxury lifestyle hotel 5 years ago, this building is steeped in history and culture of it’s location, the former famous Sweelinck Conservatory of Music. After, the Conservatory departure to another location, the property was originally designed by the renowned Dutch architect, Daniel Knuttel, was left abandoned.
To restore this majestic building to its former glory, award-winning Milan-based interior architect and designer Piero Lissoni, sympathetically guided the project to deliver a stunning venue where classical and contemporary styles meet and blend in harmony. It consists in 129 luxury guest rooms and suites, meeting spaces, well-being spa, gym, restaurants, bars and a small cluster of high-end shops.
masonry exterior, while the steel stairs and multiple catwalks accentuate their meeting points through arched windows and portals within the brick facade. The furnishing are design classics from Kartell to Cassina, set prominently in the rooms and communal areas.
detail of the modern sitting area in the atrium |
The Brasserie |
Fabulous and comfortable, sleeping room: a massive double bed with crisp white bed linen and an enormous TV, 2 big beige and light brown coloured bathrooms with his and hers basins decked out with L’Occitane toiletry, Nespresso coffee machine, a small living room area with yet another TV and a glass bright yellow working desk and wifi that works!
for more info and menu: SLAOPEN GARDENS
The Tuinen Dagen, (open gardens days) was taking place when we were there. It happens once a year, canal private gardens are open to the public. We visited a couple of gardens, some with fruits orchards; kitchen and herbal gardens and some manicured and well kept landscaped gardens. Unbeknown to walkers by these gardens are hidden treasures. Even though it rained a bit just before we set off to our adventure, it didn’t really spoil the afternoon exploration. The next Open Garden days in Amsterdam will take place on the 19th – 21st June 2015, a three day ticket costs 15/person. More info: www.opengardendays.nl
Museum Van Loon
BY HEAD CHEF SCHILO VAN COEVORDEN
Back at the hotel and to celebrate the Canal Open gardens Chef Schilo hosted a beautiful cocktail party at the Conservatorium’s terrace. Botanical G&T, violet macaroons on chocolate soil, small and delicious rose ice cream cones and little bottles with rhubarb cola were the highlights.
ph: The Set |
amuse bouche: new season herring slightly pickled, bright beets macaroon and chive mayo, striking contrast of colours and tastes- wine: an aromatic white wine from Penedes near Barcelona, a bright yellow-straw, with apricot, pears and citrus notes with long and smooth finish, brilliant match with the herring.
Wine pairing: Pinot Bianco 2012, a fine Italian pinot blanc, fruity (apples, peaches). Quite pronounced,
clean, elegant, grapey flavour, medium-bodied with a fresh
finish, it went perfectly with this vegetable dish.
ruby colour, earthy with cherry notes and palate with blackcurrant flavours. Good pairing with our next dish: calves sweetbread. |
honey holding form through the finish. It sounded like honey tricking down my throat. I wasn’t convinced that matched the dessert, but by itself it was pleasurable.
prices : menu in July 2014, a very reasonable considering this is a fantastic menu and a unmistakably distinctive experience: 89. with wine pairing an extra 55.
Tunes Bar – sophisticated yet informal, excellent place to relax over some more botanical cocktails. G&T are signature drinks of this bar. A wide variety of around 30 kinds of gins and more than 6 different tonics, champagne anyone? The bar also serves light bites: fresh and luscious sushi, Modern Asian fare and Spanish tapas. |
BREAKFAST
A comprehensive buffet and a la carte menu are available it offers a wide range of baked and freshly prepared dishes.
naturally broken down into simple sugars and stored in honeycombs. The
unique design of the honeycomb, coupled with constant fanning by the
bees wings, causes evaporation to take place, creating the thick, sweet
liquid we know as honey.’
Once the caps are removed, the frames are placed in an extractor a
centrifuge that spins the frames, forcing honey out of the comb. The
honey is spun to the sides of the extractor, where gravity pulls it to
the bottom and it can be collected. Straining and bottle the honey takes place in another location nearby’
the Dutch countryside |
Idyllic walks by the many canals, 160 canals and over 1,250 bridges. Make sure to take some time out to stroll along the different canals, admiring the houseboats and architecture along the way. |
Plenty of bikes! the easiest way to get around the Dutch capital |
Conservatorium hotel: guests rooms costs from 345 – 600 to penthouse from 4500 (July 2014)
All photos by Hot&Chilli unless otherwise stated.
Disclosure: I traveled and enjoyed a stay as guest of Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. I received no further remuneration to write this post. All opinions are my own.
Wow, so many beautiful delicate details to the food & decor. Thank you for sharing such beautiful pics. It's like I was there.
Thanks Lisa, it was an excellent foodie experience. The hotel is fabulous too x
Its really a perfect blog for getting a information about this beautiful city i like your work out its totally outstanding keep share your ideas with thanks …..
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