Planning a trip to Amsterdam? Dutch cuisine might not be as elevated as the French but it sure has some delicious highlights like stroop waffles, poffertjes or bitterballen. While you can enjoy them in one of the many food trucks and booths in the streets you might be looking for a sustainable restaurant recommendation that is unique and serves organic dishes. Restaurant De Kas will be the right address for an exceptional dinner! The experience I had in this sustainable restaurant was so great, I had to do an extra restaurant review to tell you why!
The fine organic restaurant “De Kas” in Amsterdam’s Frankendael Park operates on a farm-to-table principle. Housed in a historic but stylishly renovated greenhouse from the 1920s, the daily menu uses only ingredients from the restaurant’s own garden. What was harvested in the morning ends up on the plate that evening. Fresh vegetables always play the main role in the dishes, with a little meat or fish thrown in now and then. If you prefer something a little more exclusive, you can book the Chefs table in the kitchen and be cooked for by the chef himself. It doesn’t get any fresher or more regional than this!
What is farm-to-table?
Many people are only aware of the environmental and health benefits that farm-to-table has to offer. It is one of the most sustainable lifestyles in the modern world, but this trend also has significant economic implications. Farm to Table is a trend that many people are embracing because it allows us to have access to fresh, healthy food year-round and supports local economies. Food waste in landfills costs about $220 billion a year, and Farm to Table can dramatically reduce that cost. It has also helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by allowing farmers to use fewer inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers. Farm-to-table practices also help reduce water consumption by 3%. Finally, there is a 99% chance that our food will not be genetically modified or altered.
De Kas philosophy
Since 2001 the gardens in Amsterdam and the Beemster are the heart and soul of De Kas and their menu. They reflect the changing seasons and never fail to surprise.
Around 300 varieties of vegetables, herbs and fruits are grown in their greenhouse and open air garden. The greenhouses in Amsterdam are used to grow herbs and edible flowers and also to cultivate nursery plants for the field in the Beemster. Plants grow in the garden as well as hydroponically inside the greenhouse. This allows them to harvest watercress, celery, purslane and other leafy vegetables as freshly as possible all year long. In the Beemster, about 20 kilometres from Amsterdam, De Kas has an additional hectare of land and greenhouse space in the middle of the polder to grow herbs, vegetables and fruits. The garden in the Beemster allows them to plant the vegetables and herbs cultivated in Amsterdam out in the open and let them quietly continue growing. Tomatoes, aubergines, potatoes, courgettes, runner beans, purslane, basil, chard, legumes; offer endless inspiration for the menu every day.
Menu at de kas
The waiter will ask you for allergies and food restrictions once you are seated. I chose to eat fish and seafood but not meat. You then choose if you would like 5 dishes (around 60€) or 6 dishes (69€). There are also optional appetizers.
Starting off, they served us some appetizers as a greeting from the kitchen like bread, crackers, salad and mushrooms. Believe me when I am telling you that was the best bead and butter, I have had in a long time!
First course: betroot, plums, verbena and sea lavender!
Second course: ajo blanco, green beans, almonds and wild peach!
Third course: crayfish, tomato, potato, tarragon and bisque!
Fourth course: mussels, zucchini, vinegar and parsley!
Sixth course: dessert time! You can choose between two options. I decided for milk ice cream, cherries, yogurt and maple syrup (in the front). My friend chose the cheese dessert.
Below is a closer look of the garden and greenhouse of Restaurant De Kas in Amsterdam!
From setting to service and the culinary experience: I hope you can see now why Restaurant De Kas is an Amsterdam must try restaurant!
