In the 1980s, we visited Bilthoven for a walk in the woods and a visit to the Netherlands' very first McDrive, at Soesterberg airbase. Since then, our tastes have changed, and so has Bilthoven itself. This delightful place in the province of Utrecht has developed into a culinary location to be reckoned with. It even has its own wine festival in summer, Biltho Vin.
Text: Marjolein Schuman | Image: Iwan Rutjes
Restaurant Norra on Emmaplein in the former Nefkens garage is an asset to the village. Hostess Lieke Nicole-Creemers leaves nothing to chance, as you can tell from the interior, menu and wine list. Surrounded by warm colours and chic furniture (note the glass lamps!), you sit in a soft bucket chair at a linen-covered table. Tranquillity. And delicious food, French classics with a twist and especially quirky dishes like courgette with whitecurrant, girolles and beurre blanc. Chef Boy van Rijn is assisted by culinary advisor and Liekes husband Grégory, with whom she also owns Le Nord in Bilthoven. ‘With the whole team we are going to make Norra a success. I am grateful for the positive reactions we have already received,’ she says. And the wine list? No fewer than 140 wines, all from Europe except for a small selection from South Africa, most of them between 40 and 75 euros. Lieke: ‘And there are always around 16 wines available by the glass.’
Visit restaurant-norra.co.uk.
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