This weekend, August 25-28, the city Laren is for a third consecutive year transformed into a foodie heaven with the culinary festival Lekker Laren. Nineteen restaurants are showcasing their gastronomic talents, enabling visitors to sample signature dishes that will tickle your tastebuds. Renowned restaurants, from ‘t Gooi to Amsterdam, are bound to amaze you e.g. George L.A., ‘t Amsterdammertje, and Zuiver. Michelin star restaurant De Hoefslag takes you on a culinary journey that appeals to the eye and the palette. All dishes are in a sample size so you can get a taste and explore different restaurants’ menus. Besides the culinary experience, there is also live music, entertainment, a kids corner, and a lifestyle fair.
Tried and tested Top 5 Restaurants
I tried and tested several dishes, one more spectacular than the other. Most dishes are 4-6 coins. Naturally the flavours are enhanced when pairing it with a good wine.
#1 Restaurant De Hoefslag
A heavenly dessert of strawberry sorbet, magnolia, yoghurt, elderflower and a basil cake. Also try the salmon ceviche.
#2 Restaurant ‘t Amsterdammertje/Inspiced by Andre Gerrits
Chicken and crab rouleau with smoked tea, mango chutney and king crab salad
#3 Restaurant De Goede Gooier
With a French chef you can’t go wrong. This resaturant serves the best wine, and a salmon marinated in licorice with fennel salad, Dutch shrimp and a lime cream.
#4 Restaurant Blauw
I love Indonesian food, and Blauw is one of the best in the Netherlands, in my opinion. Their sateh (skewers) are the best, and I also love their pecel and their dorade.
#5 George L.A.
At George L.A. I indulged in a crispy pizza tuna.
The Hocras Paviljoen: 2 rotating restaurants
At the Hocras Paviljoen there are 2 different rotating restaurants each day. I got to sample Restaurant ‘t Hert’s pretzel hotdog and restaurant Lust’s ravioli. Coming days you can expect a.o. restaurants De Melodie from Soest, the Amstel Boathouse, Huize Hermans, and Brasserie Gsje.
The Lifestyle market
At the Lifestyle market, you can buy exclusive artisan products and delicacies. My favourite is Paradijshof. The two brothers offer exclusive traditional homemade chutneys, sauces and curries. The flavours are unprecedented and the recipes very unique. Ever had a chutney with white truffle? Or a sauce of ginger and limoncello? I spent over an hour at this vendour and urge you to taste them. Then try to leave empty-handed.
Tickets
Tickets are available at the door for € 9,50 per day or € 19,50 for 4 days. Children 0-16 yrs free entrance. More info: www.lekkerlaren.nl
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