TILBURG - In Your Pocket

E22 RESTAURANTS
European
Auberge du Bonheur H-5, Bredaseweg 441, tel. (+31)
134 68 69 42, www.bonheurhorecagroep.nl. Although the
first impression of this villa just outside the centre of Tilburg
is rather decadent, as soon as the waiter welcomes you on
the terrace you feel right at home. This place isn’t really posh,
but the service and menu are certainly on the upmarket side
and the wearing of trainers and workout wear will definitely
earn you a few stares here. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Sat
08:00 - 22:00. Closed Sun. AGBKX
NEW
Bistro St. Sjaak I-5, Heuvelring 118, tel. (+31) 135 90
62 68, www.stsjaak.nl. This restaurant is operated by an
eager young newcomer in the Tilburg catering industry. It’s a
bistro that offers culinary classics, originating from France, Italy,
Spain and England, but with a contemporary twist. The dishes
on the menu vary regularly, which makes eating here a bit of an
adventure. The menu is not very extensive, but offers plenty
of choice to please everyone. The wines, moreover, perfectly
complement the dishes offered on the menu. We personally
loved the steak tartare. Thanks to the open plan kitchen,
customers are able to watch the chef’s every move. QOpen
17:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon, Tue. (€15 - 18). JAGBX
De Ouwe Stokerij I-4, Leharstraat 110, tel. (+31)
134 55 11 18, www.deouwestokerij.nl. Although this
restaurant has only been open three years, the management
claims it has been here since 1769. What is remarkable
about this place, which is decorated in medieval style, is
that the customer is allowed to choose from an authentic
Burgundian menu. We highly recommend the so-called
Stokersmenu, where your table is stocked with all kinds of
meats and fish and you are allowed to make your own soup.
A large pan of broth is put on the table and you then add
your own vegetables, meat and other ingredients. Patrons
are offered homemade liqueurs and the wine list, although
not very extensive, is exceptionally good. Service is carried
out in Burgundian style meaning everything in its own time.
QOpen 17:00 - 22:00. Closed Mon, Tue. (€18 - 23). GX
NEW
La Place I-5, Heuvel 25 - 26, tel. (0900) 235 83 63,
www.laplace.nl. La Place at de Heuvel is the second
franchise of this large Dutch restaurant chain. Its concept is
simple; freshly prepared dishes can be ordered in a market-like
setting that makes the senses run ahead before you’ve even
ordered anything. After ordering, you can enjoy your meal in
a fast-food-like ambiance. This restaurant is brand new, as
one can clearly tell. For a much needed authentic Tilburg feel,
enlarged black and white photos of the Heuvelplein have
been put up on the wall. The food (including the smoothies
and coffee) in La Place is freshly prepared and very tasty,
especially considering how cheap it is. For those who feel
like having dinner or lunch during or after shopping, this is
the place to be. However, if you’re looking for ambiance and
an extensive menu, better avoid this restaurant. QOpen
10.00 - 22.00. (€10 - 15). PJAVGBXW
L’Orangerie D-3, Heuvel 39, tel. (+31) 135 43 11 32,
www.lorangerietilburg.nl. L’Orangerie offers a diverse menu
in combination with a domestically-inspired interior. Here you’ll
find dishes such as bitterballen (a type of local croquette)
with salmon, a fisherman’s catch of the day or stuffed peppers.
The oak cupboards against the wall, the buzz of guests
talking and the warm colours all make this place a fine choice
for a meal. The fully-stocked wine racks are also impressive.
QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 13:00 - 22:00. (€18 - 23).
TJULBK
You’re never alone with a good pint at The Three Swallows
Puur Mercure D-3, Heuvelpoort 300, tel. (+31) 135
35 46 75, info@puur-mercure.nl, www.puur-mercure.
nl. If you’re looking for a modern, trendy restaurant with a
matching menu, this is the place. The businesslike interior
where white, brown and dark grey tones prevail make for a
calm, yet refined atmosphere. The menu lists such dishes as
corn chicken fillet, jumbo shrimp and salads, all for affordable
prices. Because this restaurant is connected to the hotel of
the same name, you’ll find plenty of business travellers and
tourists here. If you’re into the brown stuff, sample a dram of
single malt from the bar’s extensive collection of whiskeys.
QOpen 09:00 - 01:00. (€13 - 18). JABK
Taste! D-3, Heuvelpoort 300, tel. (+31) 135 35 32 96,
info@taste-tilburg.nl, www.taste-tilburg.nl. ‘Hier adem
ik vrij en voel ik mij gelukkig’ (or ‘here I can breathe freely
and I feel happy’), is written on the wall of Taste. It’s actually
a quote that King William II once made about Tilburg. This
restaurant, which can be reached through Hotel Mercure, only
serves the crème de la crème of the culinary spectrum. The
interior is modern and you can see exactly what the chefs
are doing in the open plan kitchen. The wines are perfectly
suited to the dishes served and each plate is a feast for the
eyes and a surprise for your taste buds. In short, this is one
of Tilburg’s best restaurants. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00. (€21 -
26). JABKW
Fast food & Delivery
New York Pizza H-5, Wandelboslaan 36, tel. (+31)
135 90 09 58, www.newyorkpizza.nl. Don’t expect the
legendary pizzas served in Manhattan. New York Pizza is a
large chain that offers a variety of large American-style pizzas
for affordable prices and you can even create your own pizza
on its website. QOpen 16:00 - 22:00. (€7 - 12). AVKS
French
Hofstede De Blaak H-6, Dussenpad 1 - 3, tel. (+31)
134 63 88 99, info@hofstededeblaak.nl, www.hofstededeblaak.nl.
Some secrets you don’t really want to share.
Hofstede De Blaak, an authentic English-style manor house,
is one such a secret, but we’ll share it anyway at the risk of
inspiring hundreds of hungry tourists moving en masse to
this hidden treasure located in a rather boring suburb. Free
parking at the entrance, a large terrace, pleasant furnishings
and a staff that fully understands its profession. A great variety
of extraordinary dishes are on offer, a number of which
can be sampled in a reasonably priced set menu. QOpen
12:00 - 22:00. (€23 - 28). TALGBKX
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