Dining/ Restaurants/ Reviews/ Travel

Kruisheren Restaurant – Maastricht, Netherlands

This week I have to make an exception and write a review about a truly wonderful vegan dinner from a non-vegan restaurant. Why? Because this dinner was of such high standards that I can confidently say that it was one of my best vegan dinners ever! This goes to show that is possible to have great vegan food in a non-vegan place. I contacted Kruisherenhotel ahead of time to ask what the vegan options were, and they assured me that it would be no problem whatsoever. And they were right!

If you ever have anything to celebrate, this is the place to be. Kruisherenhotel is a design hotel in Maastricht City centre, in the Netherlands. The spectacular 15th-century gothic church and cloister has been transformed into an ultra-modern city centre hotel, where medieval architecture meets contemporary styling. The church’s impressive nave has been sensitively reimagined to create an arresting, semi-open place space that encompasses the hotel reception, restaurant, bar, meeting spaces, library, glass elevator and three lounge corners tucked away in former side chapels.

FINE DINING WITH AN EXCEPTIONAL BACKDROP

Overlooked by original stained glass windows, the notable Kruisheren Restaurant is artfully elevated at mezzanine level, offering remarkable views of original wall and ceiling frescos. Modern lighting and contemporary furniture populate the mezzanine and offset the historic atmosphere, giving the space a truly unique design direction.

The website states: Chef and his team create culinary masterpieces from locally sourced produce, complemented by wines from across the globe. And that is true! Although vegan is not their core business they do know how to create wonderful vegan dishes. And I have to say ‘create’, because this is beyond ‘cooking’.

I was very pleasantly surprised when I got my first dish…tiny little flowerpots with crispy fresh greens and a lovely dressing. ‘Petit potagers’, so the speak. So creative and so tasty!