CIEL BLEU, PURE C & ZARZO

Culinary entrepreneur Carsten Klint has a nose for gastronomic hotspots, new culinary initiatives and tasty addresses in the Benelux. Every Friday he is a guest in the podcast '1.2.tje MET YVES. The GYGS' where he gives away his 3 best dinner tips. This week they are Ciel Bleu, Pure C and Zarzo. Photo: RJR Photography

Ciel Bleu **

Carsten: “Potentially, Ciel Bleu **, in particular Onno Kokmeijer with his right-hand man Arjan Speelman, has everything it takes to cook 3 Michelin stars. Some dishes are even at that level! Onno has been a permanent fixture since the start of pop-up restaurant M during Masters of LXRY. Every effort is made to be distinctive and (literally given the location of the restaurant on the 23rd floor in Hotel Okura Amsterdam) to perform at the highest level. In addition to Ciel Bleu, Onno also advises restaurant Elements * in Okura Prestige Bangkok and has also become responsible for restaurant Epoque in The Okura Tokyo. The chef and his right hand take turns traveling to Thailand and Japan, but the base remains Amsterdam. Onno's signature can be recognized in 3 bites, because according to him, larger quantities get boring. He is continuously looking for dishes that visually evoke curiosity, that leave you wanting more and that show the strength of the kitchen in 1 menu. Ciel Bleu has been included in The World's 50 Best Discovery. A nice detail to know is that after last year, Okura Amsterdam will also be the official location in the Netherlands for the next 2 years for the Michelin dinners surrounding the presentation of the new guide, the Bib Gourmand Event the evening before and the day after. of the announcement of the stars, the Michelin Gala Dinner.

If you want to reserve a table at Ciel Bleu, you can here!

Pure C**

Carsten: “Pure C in Cadzand (Zeeuws-Vlaanderen) underwent a true metamorphosis 10 years after its opening. Lots of wood and striking art and design objects stand out. The business was completely stripped in December and then opened completely new in March. That lasted exactly 6 weeks and then Pure C had to close again due to the closure of the catering industry in the Netherlands. Chef Syrco is self-taught and came to Oud Sluis (*** at the time) as a 22-year-old. After 3 years he was allowed to take charge of the new restaurant Pure C and became ultimately responsible for the restaurant, but also for the Blueness Bar Restaurant and the entire pastry line. Thinking out of the box, realizing that nothing is impossible and the perpetual search for innovation was instilled in Syrco by mentor Sergio Herman. Pure C has been awarded 2 stars by Michelin and has no longer served meat in its set menus since its reopening. That decision coincided with the renovation of the restaurant and because, according to both top chefs, it makes sense, given the restaurant's location on the water. In addition, both men share the vision of setting a good example as chefs and having the luxury and obligation to create some awareness among their guests. So expect dishes with fish, shellfish and even more Zeeland products from the land. You can also stay the night after dinner in one of the 1 rooms. Summer in your own country, but with the feeling of holiday!

If you want to reserve a table at Pure C, you can here!

Zarzo*

Carsten: “The last one is not one tip, but four tips! All-rounder Adrian Zarzo has a rich past in the international culinary world, both in the kitchen and later in service. The born Valencian was sous chef at De Librije *** of Jonnie and Therese Boer in 2008 and made the remarkable transition to serving as a sommelier. His extensive knowledge of the kitchen is a huge plus for choosing the right wine that perfectly matches a particular dish. In 2013, Adrian took the step towards his own entrepreneurship and opened his first restaurant Zarzo in Eindhoven and was awarded its first star by Michelin in 2015. The star restaurant has an impressive wine list (over 2.000 items!), how could that be otherwise than because of his love for wine. But entrepreneurship is in the blood of this charismatic Spaniard. Together with good friend Sunny Devens, who met each other at De Librije, he is expanding the By Zarzo empire in Eindhoven. In 2016, Valenzia opened just a stone's throw away. A Spanish-Asian gastro-tapas concept where shared dining is central and was immediately awarded a Bib Gourmand by Michelin in 2017, which guarantees good price-quality. In 2018 they opened restaurant Sun by Zarzo (French-Mediterranean) and wine bar Bodega by Zarzo. With Adrian's business, expect taste sensations, surprises and anything but complicated, because Adrian doesn't like that. Beautiful, informal and affordable top-level concepts with a Michelin star, Bib Gourmand and for a good glass of wine accompanied by beautiful tapas of quality.”

If you want to reserve a table at Zarzo, you can here!

Every Friday at 17 p.m. Carsten unveils 3 new culinary hotspots during the podcast '1.2.tje MET YVES. The GYGS'. Curious? You can listen back here.