May knows what I like. Sometimes a Diptyque candle suddenly appears on my desk, she has torn out a funny article for me again, takes me to a lunch spot that I get to choose myself, or sends me exactly the text message I needed at that moment. Yesterday I received something again that made me incredibly happy. Namely, an incredibly thick book (yes mom, yes dad, A BOOK!) that I would like to carry in my bag from now on and place under my pillow. It is quite thick, so that might not be possible, but I will definitely be flipping through it often. You can read about where the real chefs prefer to eat. Names like David Chung who cooked with two stars for years, Josep Roca who was named the best restaurant in the world in 2013 with his El Celler de Can Roca and Shannon Bennett, a Michelin chef from Melbourne.
Where do they dine when they are in Amsterdam, London, Paris, New York, Barcelona, Tokyo, and dozens of other cities? And not only the more expensive restaurants are mentioned, the less expensive ones are also included. May, it’s another shot in the dark. And because I am so pleased with this, I would like to share a number of restaurants with you where the great chefs prefer to eat. If you happen to be in Amsterdam, London, or Paris soon, you might consider reserving a table here. Unless I’ve already been there before you, of course.
Amsterdam
Slechtste
This is what the chefs consider the best wine bar, which also has an amazing charcuterie.
Pata Negra
A small tapas bar in the Utrechtsestraat. You cannot make reservations and it’s a constant flow of people. “Sit down at the bar and let the cooks surprise you!” is recommended.
De Kas
I have been here once. Incredible indeed. The restaurant is almost entirely made of glass (that’s why it’s called ‘De Kas’, duh) and an incredible amount comes from its own garden. Even better is to serve the chef’s table here with a group. Then you are actually IN the kitchen.
Paris
La Rotonde
A real Parisian brasserie that is open until two in the morning and you are still warmly welcomed even if you order a main course half an hour before closing. Chefs prefer to order an entrecôte with béarnaise sauce and fries here.
L’atelier de Joël Robuchon
I have been lucky enough to eat here once. At the bar, because if you eat there, sit at the bar, then you can see how everything is prepared. You sit around the kitchen and can chat with the perfect service. It is said to be a place every chef dreams of having opened themselves. It’s all in this book, you know. By the way, this restaurant is quite expensive.
Pascade
They serve pascade here (a kind of crêpe slash soufflé). “You haven’t lived unless you’ve tried it at least once.” Seems pretty clear to me?
London
The River Café
I would really love to eat here once. This restaurant is run by two women who also have such an incredibly nice cookbook, so it must be good. With sun, there is an amazing terrace.
Hakkasan
I once went to dinner with Liesbeth around 10:30 PM. It was crazy. Cocktails everywhere, it swings like crazy, you feel like you’re in Asian vibes and it’s quite chic (so also expensive). Once you’ve eaten the black cod, you actually don’t want anything else in your life. And that’s not a chef saying that, that’s me.
Bar Italia
This restaurant is located in a pipe fitting. There is only fluorescent light. Real Italians work here who make the best coffee, the atmosphere is very nice and the crowd varies from young to old and from construction worker to fancy. You actually only go here for an espresso and a tiramisu. Divine.
