Chef Lars Albers (left) and host sommelier Randy Bouwer (right) opened their restaurant Vigor in Vught on 1 July 2020. Vigor is based in the 17th-century national monumental villa Bleijenburg, which was completely rebuilt for this purpose. The centrepiece in the 300 m2 restaurant is the round open kitchen, which is also the central bar. Vigor is the first own restaurant of the duo, who previously worked in several starred restaurants.
Vigor is located in the iconic Villa Bleijenburg in the heart of Vught, next to the imposing Sint Petruskerk. Up to 80 guests can enjoy high-level international cuisine in the 300 m2 restaurant.
The heart of the business is the round open kitchen, which is also a bar. The kitchen, which was custom-made by De Weert Grootkeukentechniek, is the pride of 34-year-old chef Lars Albers. Lars Albers: "Our style is best described as casual fine dining, cooking with pure, recognisable ingredients. We respect the product and the garnish is supportive of the main product. Our cuisine is honest, refined and not overly complex. Because what is good is never too complicated."
Interior light and accessible
The interior, designed by King Kongs, is contemporary and modern with light and natural tones and materials. Chairs and sofas are alternately upholstered in leather, fabric and wood. Randy Bouwer (aged 40): "There is also variation in the shape of the tables, which are round and square. We don't use table linen, but the tables are set with pretty napkins. The restaurant consists of two spaces: the original villa and the conservatory section built against the façade. The conservatory section is largely fitted with a stone floor and has French doors opening onto the terrace. In fine weather, this part can be added to the terrace, so to speak, and guests feel like they are sitting outside. Also located here is the historic garden house belonging to the villa, which has been restored and now houses our private-dining room. Despite its 300 sq m area, the venue is intimate and accessible."
The kitchen is the heart of Vigor
Lars Albers: "At the large bar around the open kitchen, guests can watch the chefs do their work while having a drink or enjoying their meal. The rolled blue steel plates at the bottom of the kitchen are hand-painted with a specially designed font and then treated with oil. This gives the kitchen a beautiful raw and pure look. Here at the heart of our business, Randy and I literally join forces and this is also where the name of our business comes from: Vigor is the English word for strength."
Wine list with 500 wines
Randy Bouwer, named 2019 Host of the Year by Proefschrift Restaurants, manages a wine list with over 500 wines. Randy Bouwer: "Besides classics, we selected a large number of special wines, such as wines from still unknown wineries and wines with a unique terroir. My preference for Champagnes, German Rieslings, Bourgognes and Italian wines is obviously also reflected. It has become a wonderful selection of which we are very proud and which we will expand in the future."
Open five days for lunch and dinner
Vigor is located at Raadhuisstraat 1 in Vught and is open from Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Randy Bouwer: "On Sundays, we are open continuously from 12 noon, so guests can also go for a late lunch or an early dinner.
With a location a few kilometres from 's-Hertogenbosch, a visit to Vigor can easily be combined with a visit to that city or the Sint Petruskerk, located next to Vigor, which houses the Vughts Museum, among other things."
Vigor's menu consists of a lunch menu (from €38 for 2 courses), a menu from 4 to 8 courses (€52 for 4 courses, €89 for 8 courses), a vegetarian menu and à la carte dishes. The lunch menu is a changing menu, the other two menus are fixed, written-out menus.
About Lars Albers and Randy Bouwer
Lars Albers and Randy Bouwer met in Rotterdam at FG restaurant and became friends in addition to colleagues. They subsequently worked together in various establishments, including Noble in
's-Hertogenbosch. Here, Lars experienced the arrival of the first Michelin star as chef de cuisine in 2016. Randy worked at Zarzo in Eindhoven as maître-sommelier, among others, where he was named Host of the Year 2019 by Proefschrift Restaurants. In July 2020, the business partners opened their own restaurant Vigor in Vught.
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