... Put it this way, it wouldn't stop me going back again, provided they don't read this and take umbrage!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Soho Kitchen,
Grote Markt 46,
Breda,
The Netherlands.
Telephone: (076) 521 79 75
Email : info@sohokitchen.nl
Website: http://www.sohokitchen.nl/... Read review
I had visited this restaurant last year and remember being impressed both by the service and the food, which definitely made it worth coming back again with my pen. Handily placed on the main square, the Grote Markt, the restaurant is really central and surrounded by many other restaurants plying for the same business.
THE RESTAURANT
The décor was very clean looking, arty and more than a little pretentious. It looked like a vision of the future from the 70s. Some Andy Warhol prints and mirrors lined the white walls as well as some flowery wallpaper, a rather odd combination. A large chandelier hung in the middle and an air conditioner kept things less smoky.
Tables seemed to be mostly for 2-4 and at the sides of the restaurant, bench seating with nice velvety covering augmented the blue leather seated wooden chairs to the outside of the wooden tables. I think there would have been room for about 50 diners. Cushions made these look more like settees. To the back of the restaurant was a raised section with concrete flooring. Past this you could see the kitchen entrance, with a pair of antlers perched above its doorway.
Some of the clientele looked the type of people who liked showing off. Some couples on dates looked keen to impress each other. Apart from that there was a fair mix of the kind of people there. The funky jazzy music being played would I'm sure make them at ease. We noted it was very warm inside, so perhaps this is part of the seduction plan, who knows.
THE FOOD
First up was the wine, a 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Our resident French wine expert (well, she is French anyway) informs me that it was a good one; not too fruity and good with the food. In fact it tasted older than its actual vintage which was a good sign. We also had a caraf of tap water which we weren't charged for; so far so good.
There were 4 of us dining and between us we ordered "Ravioli filled with blue cheese, served with walnuts and grape", "Spaghetti with meatballs, garlic, tomato sauce and parmesan", "Thai beef curry with rice and coriander" and "Surf and Turf, Black Angus steak, shrimp and lime, served with garlic dip".
I had the ravioli, and I don't say this lightly as I would eat most (non pig) things, but this was absolutely disgusting. It looked quite nice, with some lollo rosso on top of the big home made looking ravioli parcels in the cheese sauce, but the pasta was overcooked and limp. But what really killed it was the sauce which was, quite frankly, inedible. I think I know a little about blue cheeses and I like strong ones but this was unbelievably bitter. This did not sit well with the sour walnuts. The addition of grapes only compounded the disaster; they just didn't fit in with the dish at all and were seeded. I'm afraid there was nothing redeeming about this dish whatsoever. I wasn't offered any parmesan either but I don't think that would have rescued the dish. I don't think Superman could have rescued this dish.
But let's be fair and say that according to my friends, most of the rest of the food was as good as my previous dining experience here. I think I was just unlucky.
According to Barcelona Boy, the spaghetti and meatballs were tasty. The meatballs may have been slightly dry, but OK in texture. We surmised that they were a pork and beef mix. The pasta was cooked al dente and so firm and decent tasting. The tomato sauce was tasty and strong, although slightly watery in consistency.
The Thai beef curry was served with chopsticks, although correct me if I'm wrong but this attempt at authenticity is incorrect is it not? You would use cutlery in Thailand I am led to believe. Some fresh coriander sat on top of the meat. The rice was fragrant Jasmine rice, perfect cooked and flavoursome. The vegetable mix of stir fried pepper, courgette, aubergine and green beans were crunchy and tasty. The meat was medium well done, and tender, though the Italian diner would have preferred it more rare. The curry wasn't really hot but nevertheless tasty. The decent taste of the spring onion was also noted.
The surf and turf, consumed by our French contingent was served on skewers with lemon wedges and some vegetables on the plate, which were crunchy from the stir frying. The presentation was acceptable albeit a bit plain. The meat was good, tasty and tender and the prawns were crunchy. The garlic sauce was apparently very nice but the French fries were a bit cold. Overall, the dish was OK.
Some desserts were then ordered. I had the Tiramisu to get the horrible taste out of my mouth. This was just the job; creamy and thick, with a strawberry served with it. Protruding from it was a dark chocolate segment which was really nice. Someone else ordered apple tart, which was well presented and had a little bit of ice cream with it. One gripe would be that it was a bit dry and needed a bit more vanilla sauce. Our Italian contingent ordered a usual coffee and it was OK although she wasn't keen on the biscuit served with it. Barcelona Boy sprung a surprise on us and ordered mint tea, which was, a bit oddly I thought, a bag of English Breakfast tea dunked in a hot glass of water filled with mint leaves. He liked it, which I was quite surprised by as he hates English Breakfast tea with a passion.
THE SERVICE
The nature of my meal presented a unique challenge to the staff and it was interesting to see how they coped with it. Based on my previous experience of Dutch customer service I was really curious as to how this would play out. When we were asked if everything was OK at the end of the meal, I said no, I didn't like the ravioli at all and explained why. I was asked if I had pointed this out before and I said no. I had considered sending it straight back but decided to wait. I think it was the manageress I was talking to and she was surprised but very sympathetic, apologising and asking me if I wanted anything else instead, which I didn't. When the coffee and mint tea arrived, she made a point of saying that they were on the house by way of an apology. One of our group was shocked by this; in 6 years she had never, ever seen anyone say sorry for problems or offer anything in recompense! I'll be fair and say that I should have sent it back immediately, but I really couldn't believe how bad it was and hence soldiered on seeking for culinary redemption. I did eat about half of it though, so I think they were just about correct in charging me for it. But I would be really interested to know what you all make of me being charged for my dessert.
I will say then, that the service was pretty good; fairly attentive, always with a nice smile, helpful and certainly genuinely interested in our experience. The one amusing mistake one waitress made was to take away our wine bottle after pouring our first glasses, but she soon came back grinning sheepishly as we all laughed.
FUN WITH BABEL FISH
Opinions apparently from some cannibals at www.dinnersite.nl:
With my man eaten was really delicious! Especially the voorgerecht pappadum of raw tuna! Service was super pleasantly especially the little girl with that blonde curls what schatje! The open kitchen is very nice so that you can see where the cooks are! We terrible leuke have had evening!!
We have at night eaten with four persons. Three of us verassingsmenu of four paces chose. This had been very well looked after and tasted deliciously! Also the vegetarian in our middle had deliciously eaten and incinerating. The service was informal but well and we never had wait long for next pace, also already zat the restaurant bomvol. The account amounted to approximately 35 euro by person and that found we a very well quality proportion! Our compliments therefore and this restaurant are for recurrence subject!
For the anniversary or my man on 6 October, I property with family enjoyed a surprise 4-gangen menu. And, indeed a surprise were what came there all for the table. It were deliciously and the quantity exactly enough. The restaurant had leg entirely filled. A must and for vexation to prevent "reserve in avance".
CONCLUSION
A tricky one, this. On the one hand, my meal was the worst one I've had here bar none. On the other hand, the other dishes were fine (aside from the minor quibbles I highlighted) and the service was good, as was their attitude towards my problem. I would say then, that I recommend this place on the basis of the excellent meal I had there last year. One off bad meals can happen everywhere, and I am fairly confident that this was just a blip. Put it this way, it wouldn't stop me going back again, provided they don't read this and take umbrage!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Soho Kitchen, Grote Markt 46, Breda, The Netherlands.
