I can't say we go out lunching every week, so statistically speaking my opinion might not sound relevant at first. But nothing could be more incorrect. This restaurant is great from the moment you walk in 'till the moment you walk out. The decor (in an old army barrack but completely restyled, and a superb job as well), the people (so ever friendly ready to help and very warm, they make you feel right at home), the cocktails (they might not be doing fancy moves while preparing them, but the taste matches the menu and is original in flavor) and of course most off all (because this is why we do it after all) the food.... . *drifting away for a little bit*
What "De Mess" is doing here is truly remarkable. They are open half the year from November 'till May (last month April), the other part of the year they are doing catering. I am not from here otherwise if you require catering, they might be just what you need to get a delicious party going.
Every 6 weeks they change menu, so plenty of reasons after a delicious meal to go back and prices (certainly compared to what you get) are very reasonable. Currently they started a new formula "Mess is More" (great slogan!) which means you will get every course on the menu with size depending on the persons. The full menu is presented for 38€ / person (with 3 courses) but every course consists out of multiple menu's. I certainly advice choosing this option since the menu (world kitchen) is so incredibly divers (gratz to the chef, master of taste, king cook, sensei of the mind-blowing food) that there is an off chance you might not like every recipe. By picking this formula you immediately make sure you will be blown at some point. from the approximately 14-15 dishes that were presented I only disliked 1 and found 1 other to be out of my taste pallet but could appreciate the elegance the cook was trying to reach. Les gouts et les couleurs on ne discute pas, so allow me to put this at the side and only blame me for this yet unacquainted taste! I would like to focus a bit on the experience of the other dishes...
Amazingly wonderful, an explosion of superb flavors put together in way I could not imagine possible. This is truly a genius at work. This restaurant is young and will undoubtly have opportunities to improve. But this restaurant is greatly underestimated since the chef cooks food in such a way a Michelin star would be in its place! When something is done with food that can turn a critic by nature into an "mmmmmhh ooooooh, what the f*ck is this" kind of person. Then they must have done something (or a whole lot) good. Thank you for having us!!!
This brings me to reservations. Although a reservation is highly recommended since locals will wine and dine here (and they have very good reasons to do so!) they have 4 bar tables which can't be reserved. So you might just be in a luck when passing by and the tables are free. These tables are less ideal for 4 persons, certainly if you choose the must have "mess is more" menu. As you can see the table was completely occupied with amazing dishes, so 'dollar for the buck' or 'waar voor je geld' certainly applies here. This is what food should be all about. A table filled with rich dishes that makes you just want to start an amazing evening. De mess certainly gets you on track, the rest is up to you.
Please enjoy!!! read more