Zoldering* – Stefan’s Gourmand Weblog


Zoldering is one in every of my favourite eating places in Amsterdam. This used to be my fifth dinner there, however unusually sufficient that is the primary weblog I’m writing about it. Zoldering used to be established in 2019 by way of Tomas Bron (chef), Task Seuren (sommelier), Wout Jans, and Joost Clarijs. They have got labored at Michelin-starred eating places like Librije, Bokkedoorns, and Ciel Bleu, and determined to begin for themselves. They sought after to create an off-the-cuff ‘community’ eating place with the standard of meals and the wine on the stage of a Michelin-starred eating place, and they’ve succeeded! In 2022 they won a well-merited Michelin megastar ‘accidentally’ (as that used to be no longer their function, even supposing after all they prefer the popularity). It could actually’t be a marvel that Zoldering may be very standard; it’s complete each evening. You’ll reserve a desk from one month prematurely, and reservations refill in no time. That is the primary reason I haven’t been to Zoldering extra continuously. They do stay some tables for walk-ins, so it’s price calling for a similar day or simply shedding by way of.

Zoldering doesn’t have a tasting menu, only a quick à los angeles carte menu. There are 6 other small bites like oysters or toast with one thing on it (round 5 euros), 5 other starters (17-23 euros), 6 other mains (26-42 euros), 6 other cheeses (4 euros every), and 5 other truffles (9-13 euros). Zoldering has an in depth and engaging wine checklist, with a good choice of wines by way of the glass and cheap markups (particularly for the costlier wines). Château d’Yquem by way of the glass is 75 euros — which isn’t dear in any respect for those who imagine {that a} bottle retails for approximately 400 euros.

We began with a pleasing glass of champagne, a Domaine Lagille Grande Réserve, made out of equivalent portions of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, and elderly no less than 5 years at the lees prior to disgorgement. I had requested Task to pair wines with the dishes we had decided on from the menu.

As a primary chew I had a toasted piece of brioche with a sardine fillet and a scrumptious salsa verde on best. The salsa verde had nice steadiness; sadly I forgot to take a photograph. This used to be accompanied by way of a box mix of 9 other grapes from Dâo in Portugal, well balanced and sophisticated.

The next wine used to be the 2020 Sec du Château Closiot from Barsac, France. As candy Sauternes (and its lesser-known neighbor Barsac) are sadly turning into much less standard, many wineries there have moved to creating dry wines. This used to be a mix of 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Gris, elderly in oak. It had a really nice minerality and nice texture.

For each wine, Task first pours a unmarried sip, so you’ll be able to style it prior to deciding to have a complete glass. I don’t take into accout the wine that he got here up with first, however I didn’t deal with that one, and this tasty white Bordeaux used to be with Task got here up with as a substitute.

It used to be a just right pairing for the uncooked crimson mullet with toasted hazelnut, a crispy sauce that incorporated beurre noisette, and capers from ramps. From the outline of “beurre noisette” I had anticipated a extra buttery sauce, but it surely used to be if truth be told rather crisp, and a pleasing distinction with the toasted hazelnuts. The crimson mullet used to be impeccably contemporary; this used to be a really nice dish.

The wine for the primary path used to be a Langhe Nebbiolo by way of Borgogno e Carbone. Medium-bodied with a pleasing aroma. On its own the tannins had been rather tough, however with the beef it used to be really nice.

The dish used to be Iberico red meat fillet (lomo) with charcoal grilled runner beans and a scrumptious sauce. The red meat used to be very comfortable, juicy, and flavorful, and cooked good. The smoky runner beans had been nice with it. I’d describe the sauce as a gourmand model of barbeque sauce. The distinction between the comfortable meat and the crunchy beans used to be additionally really nice. The beans had been completely cooked — runner beans can also be crunchy in a ‘squeeky’ manner this is ugly, and that used to be no longer the case right here in any respect.

I had some “Lazuli” blue cheese, a Dutch model of Gorgonzola, to head with…

…a pitcher of 2000 Grande Maison Monbazillac Cuvée du Château. This Monbazillac used to be well elderly with an aroma of saffron.

For dessert I opted for a Xixarito Pedro Ximénez sherry, elderly for approximately 15 years in a solera, with a whopping 400 grams of residual sugar in line with litre. Very complicated and balanced, in spite of the top sugar content material.

It used to be a very good pairing for the darkish chocolate parfait with hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans, and bastogne (Speculoos-type cookies). You’ll’t see the chocolate parfait as it used to be totally coated by way of the (evenly toasted) nuts.

I feel it’s transparent why that is one in every of my favourite eating places. Informal, no longer pretentious, however top of the range of dishes and wines, pleasant carrier, and really inexpensive. I’ll be again quickly!




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