Opening on the 6th of February 2019, is the brand new Brasserie Carstens, located in central Amsterdam. The concept of the Carstens is an idea created by Maik Kuijpers, former head chef Michelin star restaurant De Librije. (Yes, that is promising!) We had a first look.
The Concept
Brasserie Carstens is a collaboration with the Park Plaza Victoria Hotel which is a stone’s throw away from Amsterdam Central Station. It is a brassiere revolving around fair-trade and qualitative products, mostly from Dutch soil. The menu offers surprising flavours from the Veluwe to the North Sea to show what the Dutch soil and water has to offer. The wines come from winemakers with a Dutch connection and local beers come from traditional breweries.
Local Dutch glory with a twist
The Food
The Brassiere works with a menu that changes with the four seasons; they serve more fresh dishes in summer and more often meat dishes in winter.
On the menu you will find recognizable dishes with a creative twist. I went to the brassiere to try out lunch and it felt like a surprise party. They served calf tongue with langoustine (not for the faint hearted), beef goat quark, a Caesar salad with kale instead of lettuce, a carpaccio of puffed yellow beet, and a badass stump with the sprouts still on it.
Bringing the farm back to the city
Never skipping dessert. ©Marvin Duiker
Decor
The restaurant is colourful and cozy furnished. It feels very homely but with a modern twist. The space is quite big and natural light comes from the big windows which are decorated with ornate curtains, and the many plants and flowers make it a green and pleasant environment to be in.
©Marvin Duiker
So.. Looking for a place to have a tasty lunch or dinner in a beautiful, atmospheric restaurant? Head to Brasserie Carstens! The front door is located at the Hasselaerssteeg, which is between the Damrak and the Martelaarsgracht.
Being a Dutchie, I’ll definitely return!
Carstens Brasserie
Hasselaerssteeg 1, Amsterdam
Monday – Friday 12:00 – 22:00
Saturday & Sunday 12:30 – 22:00
Website / Instagram
Love,
Iris
*Iris is one of our guest editors from The Netherlands. She’s got a big interest for fashion, poetry and traveling. She was only 3 months old when she was on the plane for the first time, and she has been to every continent in the meantime. She’s a dreamer and would prefer to be on the beach every day. You can follow Iris on Instagram.