A small yet devoted group of members and guests enjoyed lunch at the 300-year old De Vlindertuin (“Butterfly Garden”) Restaurant in Zuidlaren. It is a fine dining restaurant that was awarded one Michelin star in 2008, an accolade which it has retained ever since.

The restaurant is located on a green bordered by ancient trees. The building itself is an attractively renovated Saxonian farmhouse built in 1719.

Head chef is Jilt Cazemier whose fine menu we would be enjoying once seated at table, but first we were warmly welcomed by his wife, Froukje, with Prosecco and a selection of mouth-watering appetizers.

Circumstances had contrived to make for a low turnout but the enthusiastic participants present made the most of the cosy interior and the friendly atmosphere to have a top-notch afternoon.

Once escorted to a beautiful oval table, the delicious lunch commenced. Service was smooth, friendly and efficient. The courses and matching wines were of star quality.

MENU

Monkfish
cauliflower, herring caviar, beurre blanc
Colterenzio 'Lumo' Pinot Grigio 2015 - Alto Adige, Italy

Gurnard
shiitake, spring onions, sesame
green asparagus, vegetable sauce
Château Rives-Blanques 2014 - Limoux, France

Veal with crispy fried sweetbread
onion, celery, porcini mushrooms, shallot gravy
Herxheimer Himmelreich Fruhburgunder Spätlese trocken 2013
Weingut Petri, Pfalz, Germany

Passion fruit and pineapple
yuzu ice cream, white chocolate topping
Béres Tokaji Magita ‘Edes Cuvee’ 2010 - Hungary

Coffee or tea with homemade sweetmeats

With the menu completed, Bailli Maarten Westerhof sang the praises of Chef Jilt Cazemier and his kitchen brigade together with those of Froukje Cazemier and the service brigade. Maarten then presented a souvenir certificate to them both.

Everyone agreed that their hospitality and quality had truly made for a very special event.

Maarten Westerhof
Bailli