Restaurant M*** 2019

Restaurant M*** is the culinary pop-up restaurant of MASTERS EXPO. In 2019, a total of 23 chefs cooked for four evenings and one afternoon, earning a total of 40 stars. This concept, created by culinary entrepreneur Carsten Klint, is not only a pleasure garden for gourmets, but also a nirvana for networkers. For 2021, the knives will be sharpened and the taste buds will be tested. First enjoy...Text: Bart-Jan Brouwer
Opening image: Good Folk
Photo report: SpecialPixels
Editorial staff: Susan Poeder “You meet incredibly interesting people here,” Hilde Watty tells me, the sponsor of the art project that Micky Hoogendijk is showing at Masters of LXRY. “It's not about what you know, but who you know.” On the opening evening, guests are welcomed with a flute of sparkling Champagne Philipponnat. Hands are shaken, experiences are exchanged, there is talk and laughter, while appetizers such as artichoke bonbon, caviar and tandoori yoghurt are served. I give Piet Boon a hug, ask Jaguar Land Rover Benelux CEO Marc Bienemann about the situation in the car world and compliment Micky. for her outfit. The evening is a series of surprises, including performances by the professional singing staff of Pasta e Basta led by Jolijn Middelhoff and the beats of Hans Stroeve, resident deejay of De Librije.

Intimate dining

Carsten opens the evening with the words “it is a fairy tale you are in”. Meals on Wheels can't beat this, attention has been paid to literally every detail: from the menus and napkin rings to the flowers (thanks to Expo Flora and Silk-ka). Not only the tables, the restaurant also looks magical. Interior designer Mariska Jagt created the perfect makeover with creative flair. She transformed a cold office into a cozy home.

“I completely removed the business character and turned it into an intimate setting. For example, I covered the bare floor with carpet, installed my self-designed lamps and decorated the walls with creations from Dofine and art from Micky.”

Heaven on earth

But my gaze is not directed upwards, because heaven is on my plate: white cabbage ravioli with porcini mushroom gravy and Amalfi lemon, a dish by Moshik Roth. The creations from the kitchen form a holy trinity with the wines that importer Vinites has selected from the South African wine estate Creation of Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin and the water from S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna.

While the tables are buzzing with conviviality, there is also a friendly atmosphere in the kitchen between the chefs on duty Moshik Roth, Erik van Loo, Edwin Vinke, Fred Mustert, Dick Middelweerd and Marcel van Lier. “We all know each other. A bit of bullshit, great fun,” says Moshik. Vinke adds: “It's old-fashioned raisin bread here. Just a party.” It is anything but currant bread that the chef of De Kromme Watergang conjures up on the plate. En papillotte prepared celeriac, cauliflower, kimchi, walnut and hut tentut. A taste sensation that is difficult to beat. A fairytale in itself.

Movie-worthy material

Jort Kelder, who is sitting next to me on the other side, laughs: “This is the worst possible start to an evening of work: that delicious food, all those oh-so-tasty South African wines…” His film crew, with whom he will soon enter the trading floor is not available yet, but this evening in M40 could have provided enough footage.

Starring Selwyn Senatori, who I'm calling out at the launch of the winter edition of LXRY, because he created the festive cover. The artist who lives La Dolce Vita also knew how to properly appreciate the excellent wines of Vinites, but apparently did not pour them in quite the right quantity. The result… The Selwyn Show! He spontaneously made the blow-up cover, which was actually intended for the Jaguar Land Rover stand (Selwyn is a Jaguar ambassador), the grand prize of a quiz.

“Who knows how many years Rob Peetom has been a hairdresser?” Selwyn shouts into the microphone. Denise Boekhoorn, who sits at the front table, guesses at 53 years old. I look at Selwyn: “What's the answer?” “I have no idea, boy. Hahaha!” Rob Peetoom is called forward, it is about everything and nothing. The answer was wrong, but Denise still wins. No rules. No limits.

Going once going Twice…

The latter does not apply to the auction of three unique covers of the LXRY LOVE Edition, created by Selwyn, Roland Kahn and Jan des Bouvrie. When it is the turn of the work of art by the godfather of Dutch interior design – a compilation of four backs of cigar boxes with sketches by his hand – Yves indicates a lower limit: 'We start at 1.500 euros.' Ultimately, the cover goes to Henrico van Lammeren, the CEO of Vinites, fourfold.

I congratulate him on his purchase and generous donation - the proceeds will go to the Heart Foundation. In turn, he congratulates me on the pop-up restaurant: “M40 is professional, controversial and trendsetting. For the first time in three years, it has reached a level that matches what it aims for. Top cuisine, fantastic guests, hospitality and a good atmosphere.” In addition to Dick Middelweerd's dessert, maracuja with mandarin and five spices (so tasty, I take two), KLM Netherlands director Harm Kreulen also has a nice dessert for those present: KLM house number 100, a miniature version of Huis ten Bosch Palace in The Hague. After coffee with chocolate surprises, the tables slowly empty and everyone heads to the exhibition floor. I walk a bit with the troubled but combative Addy van den Krommenacker. “This was a gift, really great!”