Unlike the beautiful sunny Sunday morning in Huis ter Duin for lunch on September 11th, members and guests had to endure pouring rain for the journey to the Hotel-Restaurant De Nederlanden in Vreeland. Nevertheless they came in large numbers, 59 in all!

We were warmly received in the cosy lounge of the restyled and revamped restaurant by hostess Caroline Berends and her staff. They offered us a delicious glass of Cava with a selection of three tasty appetisers: macaroon biscuit and black pudding; crispy chicken with green curry; mackerel and beetroot.

Everyone was invited to take their places in the restaurant. Nine tables were temporarily something of a picture puzzle as, despite the table plan having been consulted, many had obviously forgotten which table they were on! Fortunately the “ladies in charge” also had a list of the tables so everyone did not have to search for long.

Head Chef Wilco Berends and his brigade prepared a lovely five courses just for us:

MENU

Bagna cauda mackerel
anchovies, garlic, cucumber
Vinho Verde - Anselmo Mendes Loureiro (Portugal)

Pike-perch and eel
with nuts, beetroot and Chardonnay sabayon
David Sadie Roussanne (Swartland, South Africa)

Pheasant with sauerkraut
liver, gingerbread sauce poivrade
La Spinosa Chianti (Italy)

Apple
with butter, caramel, cinnamon and syrup
Château Loupiac-Gaudiet (Loupiac, France)

House-special soufflé (as a dessert encore)
with cottage cheese, vanilla ice cream, orange and spices
Château Loupiac-Gaudiet (Loupiac, France)

The evaluation was given by Chevalier Ted Janssen. We all agreed with his assessment that everything had been skilfully prepared and served with refinement. Special thanks were given to hosts, Caroline and Wilco Berends, together with the young women and men of the kitchen and service brigades who clearly had all done their very best to ensure our delectation.

Concluding the wonderful dining, mocha and homemade chocolates were taken in the lounge.

Jan Wever
Bailli