TILBURG - In Your Pocket

E26 RESTAURANTS
The Talk D-2, Heuvel 20, tel. (+31) 135 81 02 23,
bestelling@thetalk.nl, www.thetalk.nl. Do not be discouraged
by the semi-philosophical aphorisms on the wall,
such as: ‘Two monologues don’t make a dialogue’. The Talk
will keep you guessing with its multi-functionality. This is a
colourful place not only for a lovely lunch or dinner, but also
the right address for an affordable drink. You can even ask the
staff for a (simple) cocktail. The open kitchen, the mixture of
architectural styles and the variety on the menu will put even
the greatest pessimist at ease. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Fri,
Sat, Sun 11:00 - 24:00. (€11 - 16). PTJVGBKX
Werelds D-3, Emmastraat 3, tel. (+31) 135 43 09 18,
info@brasseriewerelds.nl, www.brasseriewerelds.nl.
Brasserie Werelds is slightly hidden near the entrance of
the Emma Passage. The menu doesn’t offer spectacular
haute cuisine, but simple good food and great value for
money. The wine list is also worth a look, and one should
definitely try the homemade pastries and chocolates.
QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Mon, Sun 17:00 - 22:00. (€17 - 22).
TJAUGBK
Italian
Eataly D-3, St. Josephstraat 136, tel. (+31) 135 44 28
44, info@eataly-tilburg.nl, www.eataly-tilburg.nl. The
name Eataly pokes a little fun at Italians, but in truth, you’d
have a hard time finding a more authentic place. Beautiful
modern leather chairs adorn every table in the colours of
the Italian flag and the warm welcome you’ll receive is Italian
hospitality at its best. Andrea Bocelli sings to the guests
via the sound system and of course there are plenty of
pizzas and pastas on the very extensive traditional menu.
The knowledgeable staff kindly squat down to talk to their
guests and a large garden with a sizable terrace is available
behind the restaurant. Try the antipasto Eataly. You won’t be
disappointed. QOpen 12:00 - 22:30. Closed Mon. (€17 -
22). JAGKW
Il Calatino D-3, Piusplein 74, tel. (+31) 135 35 44 73,
info@il-calatino.nl, www.il-calatino.nl. Sounds simple,
doesn’t it? You start a restaurant that uses only fresh produce,
all your patrons praise the beautiful dishes and tell their
friends and acquaintances, which earns you a reputation in
no time as the place to go. This is exactly what Il Calatino
has done since it opened its doors in the spring of 2011.
Affordable house wines, tender meat, a varied menu with
good sized portions and perfect service make this restaurant
a must if you’re into Italian cuisine. QOpen 17:00 - 22:00.
Closed Mon. (€20 - 25). JAK
Make sure to try the local spirit: Schrobbeler
L’Olivo D-2, Heuvel 41, tel. (+31) 135 42 67 31, info@
lolivo.nl, www.lolivo.nl. L’Olivo combines one of the world’s
best-loved cuisines - Italian - with one that rarely ends up on
anyone’s radar - Swiss. Even after a number of visits to this
cosy, romantic restaurant, we’re still not sure how to judge
the place. You might praise the most expensive meal on the
menu, Livornese fish, yet be annoyed by the burnt rosti, one
of the simplest and least complicated dishes it offers. In short,
when the staff and chef are on their game, this is a brilliant
place to be. At other times it’s simply far too expensive for
the rather scanty portions it serves. QOpen 17:00 - 22:00.
Closed Tue.(€24 - 28). JABK
Japanese & Sushi
Enjoii D-1, NS-Plein 38, tel. (+31) 135 42 11 75, enjoii@
tasteofjoii.nl, www.tasteofjoii.nl. You’ll find Enjoii at the NS
Plein (Railway Square) not far from the centre of town. It’s the
latest in a long line of sushi restaurants that have recently
sprung up all over Tilburg. The restaurant consists of a sushi
section, a buffet area and a place where you can sit together
around the grill while your food is being juggled right before
your eyes. The buffet menu is very straightforward, but the
sushi offers more than a few surprises. For example, you can
order frushi (sushi with bits of fruit), which has just blown
over from the United States. The restaurant also offers an
interesting view of the old rail yard. QOpen 13:00 - 22:00.
(€21). JGK
Koi D-3, Heuvelring 126, tel. (+31) 135 45 10 00, info@
sushi-koi.nl, www.sushi-koi.nl. Sushi Koi is a roaring
success in Tilburg, and not just because of the Japanese
plum wine. At the weekend the queue of people waiting for
a highly prized spot in this sushi and grill restaurant extends
all the way outside. The disadvantage of these throngs of
patrons is that once inside the din from chatty diners is
amplified. So why is this place so popular in a student town
like Tilburg? Sushi Koi employs an all-you-can-eat concept
which allows you to sample as much as you can stomach
for two and a half hours by filling out an order list on your
table. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Mon 13:00 - 22:00. (€21,50).
PTJALGBK
Shinzo E-4, Piushaven 17, tel. (+31) 135 81 28 17,
www.shinzolounge.nl. At Shinzo sushi, lounge and grill,
you can eat all you like for a fixed sum of money, just like
at many of the other sushi restaurants in Tilburg. Free ice
cream, good choices of sashimi and a special price for
children are small differences that set it apart from the rest.
Downstairs you’ll find a lounge area with sofas, wonderful
broad chairs and ambient lights. The dining area upstairs
is like a refurbished farm attic, but in Japanese style. The
decorations of enormous vases, gigantic lion statues and
geishas will keep you occupied between bites. QOpen
16:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat, Sun 16:00 - 23:00. Closed Mon.
(€23,50). TJLGKX
Suki D-3, Piusplein 55, tel. (+31) 135 44 91 28, fax
(+31) 135 44 77 44, info@sushisuki.nl, www.sushisuki.
nl. Sushi Suki is a kind of square cafeteria that desperately
tries to imitate Japanese style with four rice paper columns.
The menu offers more than 100 types of sushi and the food
is quite tasty. In contrast to the country of the Rising Sun,
tea here is served in enormous pitchers and during the week
you can order all-you-can-eat for a fixed price. The friendly
staff will also welcome you if you simply want a few small
appetisers, for which you won’t have to pay the full price. The
chefs also give you as much wasabi as you can handle with
your sushi. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Mon, Sun 16:00 - 22:00,
Fri, Sat 12:00 - 22:30. (€23,50). PTJALGKSW
Tilburg In Your Pocket tilburg.inyourpocket.com