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Lunch at the Amstel Hotel in Amsterdam, not something I do every day, shall we say! When asked if I wanted to celebrate St Patrick's Day with a 5-course lunch, of course I didn't say no. Ireland has a special place in my heart for me. Here we celebrated our honeymoon and I was really touched by the hospitality of the Irish. But the products that come from this beautiful country have also found their place in my kitchen. And who doesn't have a nice Irish whiskey in their cupboard at home? Read on in this St Patricksday walking lunch blog and see what we tasted.
The Amstel Hotel is a luxury hotel located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The hotel is known for its elegance, rich history and excellent location on the banks of the river Amstel. The hotel offers a range of amenities and services, including spacious rooms and suites, excellent restaurants, a bar, a spa and wellness center, and meeting and event facilities. Considered one of the most beautiful hotels in Amsterdam, the Amstel Hotel is a popular choice among travelers seeking a luxurious and memorable experience in the city.
St Patricksday Walking Lunch The Amstel Hotel
Unfortunately I have never slept there myself, but I have already been able to eat there and I have also been there for several events. Anyone who has seen the program on TV about this special hotel knows that everything has been taken care of down to the last detail. Walking in you imagine yourself in a completely different world. Art on the walls, Chinese vases in the entrance, a fantastic atmosphere to stay in. And service at the highest level! This time I was allowed to take a look at the “holy grail” of the Amstel: the kitchen! Chef Rogèr Rassin runs the kitchen here, a man with vision and passion.
Saint Patrick's Day
On March 17, Irish people around the world celebrate St Patrick's Day. Saint Patrick is commemorated on this day. This priest brought Christianity to Ireland. He used the “shamrock”, a cloverleaf as a symbol for the trinity of the Catholic faith. This is now the symbol for Ireland. If you've ever been to Ireland, you can't have missed how beautifully green it is there. This color also symbolizes St Patrick's Day celebrations. But it is also a day that "twinners". There are big parties all over the world and you are not of Irish descent? No problem, you just celebrate with the Irish. The Irish ambassador Kevin Kelly and the Bord Bia (Irish food board) invited us to celebrate this day together.
Irish products in the Netherlands
During my visit for this lunch, some delicious dishes were presented to us by Chef Rogér. We got a unique look into his kitchen and we ate a fantastic dish here. We literally walked into his world. During Kevin Kelly's speech, it quickly became clear how much the Netherlands is already connected with Ireland. We are by far the largest buyer of the Irish beef, but now many products from Ireland find their way here in our supermarkets and restaurants. A number of these products were highlighted on this day and we were allowed to taste them. For example, I mention Guinness beer, Jameson Whiskey, Bailey's, and Kerrygold butter. But also Irish fudge, crackers and cookies.
St Patricksday Walking Lunch It's a love affair
The dishes that we were presented with during this St Patricksday Walking Lunch were all very tasty. The pictures speak for themselves of course. And so it was confirmed once again that we all have a piece of Ireland in our hearts. This summer I will definitely follow the masterclass of one of the chefs of the Chef's Irish Beef Club and I hope to set foot on Irish soil this year!
I would like to thank Tilly St Nicolaas and Esther for the invitation. Of course also the Amstel Hotel for the fantastic lunch. And the Bord Bia and the Irish ambassador for the warm Irish hospitality.
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