Discover Benelux | Delft & Dordrecht | Perfect Winter Destinations
The finest steaks in town TEXT: CHARLOTTE VAN HEK | PHOTOS: AMERICAN STEAKHOUSE BETTY BOOP
It is like entering the Southern States of North America in the 1960s: Steakhouse Betty Boop has brought the best of the United States’ food, beers, and vintage vibes to Delft. Located in the heart of the city centre, American Steakhouse Betty Boop has conquered countless hearts with their mouthwatering food, American beers, and authentic atmosphere. The retro American vibe is embodied by the red and white leather benches and the 1960s music coming out of the authentic jukebox. The conquered hearts are proven by Betty Boop’s rave ratings on every review website. “We set the bar incredibly high,” co-owner Sandra Shenouda starts. “Our guests always come first.” When served, it becomes clear that a burger at Betty Boop is not just a burger, but one made using the absolute best-quality meat. Sandra’s husband George helms the kitchen
and cooks with an enormous love for food, something you taste without a doubt. Dishes have quirky names such as Texas Striploin Steak, or California Tuna Steak, and refer to the places Sandra and George have travelled to. “We have a soft spot for America, having travelled all around the country several times, mainly to less touristy states such as Mississippi and Texas.” Bestsellers on the menu are the Betty Boop Burger as well as the Blue Cheese Burger, both yielding great success at recent food festival Delft Serveert, with more than 750 Betty Boop burgers sold over one weekend. Betty Boop also has an impressive menu of authentic beers imported from America, such as the Brooklyn Lager or a special Chocolate Stout. Even the beers prove it; at Betty Boop, it is always America o’clock. www.steakhousebettyboop.nl
Betty Boop, Mylene.
Betty Boop, Chef George.
A memoir of Indonesia TEXT: CHARLOTTE VAN HEK | PHOTOS: PLAN B
For outstanding Indonesian food, you no longer have to head to the Far East; only as far as Delft. Plan B serves authentic Indonesian cuisine with a modern twist, leaving you full but longing for more. Proudly based in one of the oldest buildings in Delft (built in 1585), Plan B combines tradition with innovation, serving authentic Indonesian food with a surprising twist. Rather than choosing from a set menu, guests can try either the daily platter, an Indonesian rice table (Nasi B), or a menu comprising five courses (Pelan Pelan). What is served partly depends on the season, and what the local market has to offer on that day. “We perfectly maintain the authentic flavours of Indonesian cuisine, yet ensure we always add a modern twist,” starts Erik Westra, owner of Plan B. “If you have such a strong base, you can afford to add a surprise element to your dishes.” A perfect example of their mar36 | Issue 36 | December 2016
riage between old and new is the deer shank, complemented with coconut and herbs, which creates a taste that is as familiar as it is surprising. The proof that this marriage works is reflected by Plan B being awarded a spot as one of the 50 best Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands by Indoweb. Westra and his partner Hilde Dianne Marchal helm Plan B together. Just like chef Hendri
Yuswah, they are both active in the kitchen and as hosts, a fact that very much enhances the restaurant’s informal and vibrant allure. “Plan B stands for spontaneity, for creativity and for a lively evening,” Westra enthuses. “And that is something we all experience from up close every day!” www.planbdelft.nl