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| 5 Flies |
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| Amsterdam,
Netherlands |
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Extraordinary
August - 2003 |
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5
Stars & 5 Stripes
Overall - 'Cuisine & Service' |
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The
Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and
Stripes® |
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Bright, welcoming smiles and all the personal
attention we received upon arriving, led us to believe that we were long lost
relatives or homecoming friends. Our waiter was Dirk Lentink who has worked
there since 1967, a tribute to his professionalism. Almost like a maze, the
historic dining rooms spill through five connected narrow houses, built in
1627. There are nine interconnecting dining rooms each with uniquely designed
individual décors. The
Rembrandt
Room, where we dined, displays four original impressions by the great Dutch
master while the
Knights
Hall is filled with helmets, armors and weapons from the 80 year war which
was between The Netherlands and Spain. The
Glass
Room displays delicate glassware dating 17th century. In the Amsterdam Room
our eyes were drawn to the remarkable painted ceiling. The Bridal Room creates
a more intimate ambience capturing our imagination with its classic wooden
paneling Dutch interior. |
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We got lost in time,
while we were viewing precious original etchings, after all we were about to
dine in a museum. Let us assure you that the only flies you'll ever see are
those which are identifying the gourmet houses on the tavern-like ion-hammered
sign. This celebrated restaurant has now been awarded "Five Stars and Six
Stripes" by the American Dream Cuisine Team! Of course it has seen its share of
American celebrities over the last decades as well with past diners who have
included the likes of Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Walt Disney, Danny Kaye, Elvis
Presley and so many others.
Every chair in the almost 300-seat
restaurant has a copper plaque claiming the name of a different celebrity who
has dined here. Old, leather-bound guest registries date back decades. The
aroma of grandma's attic permeates the air as living history, whispering: "I
was here!" The extensive, expertly prepared menu celebrates traditional Dutch
cuisine, offering roast duck breast, veal sirloin, lamb, suckling pig, grilled
fish, smoked eel, raw herring and lots of the fresh local harvest Holland is so
famous for. Vegetarian menus are available as well. |
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First, a glass of ~
Fox Creek 'Vixen' Sparkling Shiraz Cabernet Franc ~
Now, here
General Manager Albert Veerman turned heads as he caught us off guard. We are
used to the finest grapes and Vixen’s are world-class. The sparkling red
wine is a child of Fox Creek Vineyard from Australia, and has the stuff
American Dream wines are made of! When the Watts purchased the 32 hectare Fox
Creek Vineyard in 1984, they were advised against planting vines in their heavy
clay soil. Well, you know, they did it anyway... And their labor was rewarded
with wonderful fruit, which turned into supreme quality wines. |
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Under the care of the
loving and capable hands of the Watts, the wines came back to life. The leader
of the pack and the first wine made at Fox Creek was their 1994 Shiraz, which
won the Trophy for the best wine at the McLaren Vale Wine Show in 1995. Next
was Vixen which is made from a blend of both young and aged wine of which 55%
comes from Shiraz, 30% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The bead on
the wine is minute and persistent, indicative of its high quality, we assure
you. Its dark crimson color is matched by an intensity of flavor, which has
been described as "liquid Black forest Cake". It is packed with ~ intense ~
forest~ berry~ and chocolate flavors and has an inspiring lasting semi-dry
finish. What an exciting start... |
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Amuse:
- Veal Pate with
Balsamic vinaigrette
~ A little something - we insist to try this
inspirering promise ~
Appetizer:
- Beefmouse with chives sauces, salad
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Definitely the most unique creation of beef, ever ~
A Bombe of
smoked rib of beef filets with sundried tomatoes, chives, spring onions and
smoked mushrooms ~ Applause ~
- 2003 Cogmans Kloof
"Kristel" Colombard/Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa
~ Perfect match ~
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Main Course
I:
- Seaperch with fennel
and celery - crispy, flavorsome
*/*/*/*/*/*/
~ A life changing
experience ~
- 1999 Medalla Real
Chardonnay "Reserva" Santa Rita, Casablanca valley, Chile
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Main Course II:
- Veal sirloin onion gravy ~
If only our taste buds could smile ~
- "Pedro Castillo" Redwine -
Argentine Malbec ~ Perfect match, no question ~
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Main Course
III:
- Lamb chops with
zucchini and tarragon sauce
~ Melting tender delight~
- 1999 Rioja Muga
"Reserva" Bodega Muga, Haro, Spain
~ Perfect match, no question
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Desserts:
- Mousse of berries,
strawberry sorbet
~ just culinary heaven ~
- WINE: Dessert Wine
Château de Rolland
Barsac Grand Vin de Sauternes 1998
~ Sweet,
matching the cranberries ~
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Some of the typical Dutch specialties are endless varieties of
cheeses like Gouda and Edam; Dutch chocolate; Dutch cocoa; Dutch cookies; Dutch
Apple Pie. The most famous Dutch beverage is of course beer, with Heineken,
Grolsch and Amstel being Amsterdam's most famous exports along with Dutch gin,
Jenever. The 5 Flies restaurant’ has over 150 different kinds of jenevers
and liqueurs. Dutch coffee is made espresso style, strong, black and served in
tiny cups. They do not serve "regular" American coffee. Executive Chef Rene
Cramer is truly a master in his field. Visiting Amsterdam doesn't go without a
dinner at the Five Flies, call for reservations well in advance.
After this culinary delight, we topped the dinner of all with a local "Oude
Juniper Genever" a real specialty, which is our American Dream Hot Tip; we
leave the taste for you to be discovered. Most certainly we took a guided tour
through the 5 Flies with all its historical buildings. And we have a
sneak
preview for you, right here: Please
click
here, you are invited.... |
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by Simone Buehrmann & Thorsten Piosczyk
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2003 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc. |
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