Dinner with

Marjolein van den Broek

Marjolein runs her own site and Instagram, called Sneakers and Smoothies. She shares hotspots, food, her own outfits, and her favorite travel destinations. Just for the name alone, I wanted to interview her for Dinner with… Where does she eat, what does she order, and does she ever cook herself? Maybe in sneakers? Marjolein, take it away!

Where in the world is your favorite restaurant?

“I once had the chance to dine at De Leest in Vaassen (a restaurant with three stars). It's unbelievable what they conjure up on the table. Course after course, I was maximally surprised by flavor sensations I didn't even know existed. Really amazing. But I have to be honest, I wouldn't want to eat in such a fancy place weekly. Just give me a restaurant like Mama Kelly in The Hague. Great location; super hip but also relaxed, very friendly and casual service plus simple but bizarrely well-prepared food. Looking for ‘too tender to be true chicken’? This is the spot.”

And who would you really like to have dinner with? It can be anyone.

“I think it would be the late (great word, right?) Yves Saint Laurent (since I can choose anyone, I’ll just pick someone who is no longer with us). I worked in the film industry for a while and got to release the film YSL. During that time, I became really fascinated by that man. I think it would be incredibly interesting to sit at the table with him for an evening. Although I must say that I find successful creatives very intriguing in general, so I would also love to have a pizza with Raf Simons. Or also fun to find out: is Anna Wintour really that icy? You’ll definitely find out during a dinner.”

Where do you prefer to sit in a restaurant?

“In the kitchen. It's super fun to see what happens there.”

What do you always hope is on a menu?

“A really good pasta. Nothing beats that. I don't eat pasta often and I'm quite critical about it. So when I eat a pasta that is really delicious, I enjoy it to the fullest. Oh, and for drinks, a Bernardus Chardonnay or a Coppola. It often pairs well with pasta, by the way.”

And is there something you really dislike? Tell me.

“Organ meat, I'm not really fond of that.”

Do you find your way on the wine list?

“I still find that difficult. A few years ago, I took a wine course and picked up some basics. But I would like to know more about it. There are now a few wines that I recognize, which makes ordering them a bit easier. But sometimes I still miss the mark. Then you end up with a somewhat sour Sauvignon. I genuinely dislike that.”

Starter or dessert?

“In the past, that was dessert. Nowadays, I'm more into appetizers. To be honest, I don't really know if that's because my taste has changed or because I secretly find dessert to count a lot of calories. But these days, sashimi of salmon or tuna makes me happier than a good tiramisu. Although I always want (I know, annoying!) a little bite.”

And, let’s say, you’re cooking for a date for the first time. What’s on the table?

“Haha, can that just be my boyfriend? I think Veal Saltimbocca with risotto is really a top dish. Not even very complicated but, if prepared with the right ingredients, really super delicious. And Italian is always a bit romantic by itself. So I would definitely go for that. A good bottle of wine, nice music on: perfect evening.”

What fun project are you currently working on?

“I spend a lot of time on my blog Sneakers and Smoothies. On my website, I do my utmost to inspire readers in the areas of hotspots, outfits, and travel, and especially my Instagram has been growing quite a bit lately (hooray!). Additionally, I am currently busy with the marketing and communication surrounding Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Amsterdam and I write content for Fashionchick.”