TILBURG - In Your Pocket

New China Crown I-5, Wandelboslaan 40, tel. (+31)
134 67 30 55. Not unlike students the world over, Holland’s
young ‘scholars’ don’t have a reputation as being good
cooks. This Chinese restaurant cleverly uses this fact having
established itself at a strategic distance from the University.
Takeaway dishes are the most popular, which is hardly surprising
considering that a graveyard at midnight exudes more
atmosphere than this place. The food, however, is delicious,
especially if you go through the trouble of asking the chef to
prepare your dishes in the traditional Chinese manner with
proper spices. Q (€10 - 15). KS
Dutch
Boerke Mutsaers H-5, Vijverlaan 2, tel. (+31) 135 90
08 08, fax (+31) 135 90 08 09, info@boerkemutsaers.
nl, www.boerkemutsaers.nl. Although this restaurant
has been owned by the Mutsaers family since 1644 you
shouldn’t expect antique furnishings in this modern multifunctional
building. The restaurant part is not particularly
large, but has a cosy, nostalgic atmosphere and puts one
more in mind of the English countryside than a location
near the Tilburg West train station. The unusual menu
covers many regional dishes, including the popular peppered
hare, which has been prepared here according to
the same secret family recipe for four centuries. QOpen
09:00 - 21:00, Sun 11:30 - 21:00. Closed Mon. (€19).
PTHAULGBKXW
Bommel Beer H-6, OIympiaplein 1, tel. (+31) 135
82 03 44, bommel@beren.nl, www.beren.nl. This
restaurant, which is part of a national chain, is located in
the same building as Euroscoop, Tilburg’s largest cinema.
Unfortunately, the large scale of the massive hall doesn’t
contribute anything to the restaurant’s atmosphere. If
anything, it feels like a theme park restaurant. A couple
of stuffed bears have been placed here and there and an
attempt has been made to imitate some kind of medieval
castle interior, but it doesn’t really work. It may be a fine
place for families to have an affordable bite to eat before or
after a film, but couples out for a romantic dinner for two
are better off skipping this place. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00.
(€11 - 16). PTUBK
De Bisschop C-3, Heuvelstraat 122, tel. (+31) 135 44
21 03, info@restaurantdebisschop.nl, www.restaurantdebisschop.nl.
Named after Monseigneur Zwijssen, this
restaurant is managed by the descendants of this famous
Tilburg bishop. Zwijssen enjoyed life thoroughly and local lore
has it that this round-bellied man loved food, drink and the
carnival celebrations. Thankfully, these values have been
passed down to the current owner. The menu is rather daring
listing such dishes as butterfish with smoked salmon and
foamed cucumber and the terrace, which borders one of
the city’s quiet squares offers a great view of the one and
only real Kruikenzeiker. QOpen 17:00 - 22:00. (€18 - 23).
JABK
Het Huys van Voskens D-3, Heuvel 5, tel. (+31) 135
43 98 18, www.huysvanvoskens.nl. If you have a bit of
cash to spend and enjoy culinary perfection then pay a visit
to Het Huys van Voskens. Everything here is slightly different
from typical restaurants and the stylish entrance alone is
more reminiscent of a five-star hotel than a multi-functional
building. Seasonal dishes like venison make this place particularly
attractive and the freshness of the food is illustrated
by the oysters bathing in the hallway. The sommelier is also
eager to help you choose the proper bottle of wine with your
meal. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Sat 10:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon.
(€20 - 25). JAUGBK
tilburg.inyourpocket.com
RESTAURANTS
Dutch still life: apple pie on a Delftware plate
Klein Tilburg I-5, Beukenstraat 40, tel. (+31) 134 68
30 12, info@kleintilburg.nl, www.kleintilburg.nl. This
restaurant is located in a quiet residential area just outside
the city centre. The name Klein Tilburg is appropriate because
once you’re inside you’ll encounter an atmosphere that evokes
the city’s heydays. The owner is obviously proud of his town
as old newspapers adorn the walls and tables are cut in the
shape of well-known Tilburg buildings. You can have lunch,
dinner or high tea and on warmer days you can even have
a barbecue outside. QOpen , Wed, Thu 16:30 - 24:00, Fri
12:00 - 01:00, Sat 16:30 - 01:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00. Closed
Mon, Tue. (€12 - 16). PTUBKS
Langeboom B-2, Nieuwlandstraat 1, tel. (+31) 135 44
14 26, info@langeboom.nl, www.langeboom.nl. Café
Langeboom is located at beautiful intersection in Tilburg
where you can stretch out and enjoy some people watching
as soon as the sun comes out . You can however also take
advantage of the garden behind the building, which also
serves as a terrace. Family-run Langeboom has a lovely lunch
menu and we highly recommend the carpaccio roll. Classic
Dutch dishes are on the menu in the evening and even a dish
like mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts, that makes
most local children gag unreservedly, tastes heavenly here.
QOpen 11:45 - 24:00. Closed Mon. (€9 - 14). JGBK
Lokaal Zeven C-2, Pieter Vreedeplein 7, tel. (+31) 135
44 43 31, michael@lokaalzeven.nl, www.lokaalzeven.
nl. The nostalgic interior makes you yearn for the classroom
of your schooldays. This cosy restaurant is decorated with
blackboards, old school books and Dutch reading primers.
Among other things on the playful menu, you’ll find the ‘Tilburger’
a hamburger as done in Tilburg. Lokaal 7 is a welcome
and warm diversion on the otherwise modern Pieter Vreedeplein.
In spring and summer it has a large outdoor seating
area. Make sure you mind your lessons, despite the large
choice of liquors, wines, beers and ‘special’ coffees. QOpen
10:00 - 02:00. Closed Sun. (€12 - 18). TJEGBKX
Slagroom D-3, Piusplein 6a, tel. (+31) 135 82 00 70,
info@cafeslagroom.nl, www.cafeslagroom.nl. Café
Slagroom is an old-fashioned Dutch farmer’s kitchen with a
checkered floor and small curtains lining the ceilings and the
kitchen shelves. You could almost imagine a family with nine
children sitting at the table being served kale with sausage
from a large, orange casserole dish. Thankfully, Slagroom
has modernised and its menu extends beyond traditional
Dutch cuisine. You can come here for homemade stews, pork
tenderloin with brie or even a European catfish with smoked
bacon. And where women may entertain themselves with a
Tilburg-style high tea that includes traditional koetjesrepen
(a kind of chocolate), men will enjoy its beer selection, greasy
dishes and football. QOpen 10:00 - 02:00, Mon, Sun 10:00
- 24:00. (€14 - 19). JGBKX
Autumn 2012/Winter 2013
E21