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A jewel in the Dutch crown


By Shi Yingying (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-06 08:04
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 A jewel in the Dutch crown

Crown's Summer Lounge in the Netherlands Pavilion resembles a Barbie dollhouse. Provided to China Daily

A jewel in the Dutch crown

The restaurant serves Dutch-European cuisine with a Chinese twist. Provided to China Daily 

Restaurant offers typical Dutch fare with a hint of Chinese, Shi Yingying reports.

The Crown's Summer Lounge, the exclusive dining venue where the royal couple, Dutch Prince of Orange and Princess Maxima, dined during their visit to the Expo 2010 Shanghai, opens its door to Expo visitors for the month of August.

Overlooking the Expo Garden on the top floor of the Netherlands Pavilion, the restaurant is decorated like a Barbie house. With pink columns, light toned wallpaper and mirrors on the wall, the Crown's Summer Lounge echoes pavilion's theme of "Happy Street".

"We serve Dutch-European cuisine, with an interesting Chinese twist," said Richard Jonker, from the Dutch caterers Maison Vand den Boer, the company in charge of the pavilion's restaurant and food stores.

"The twist could be a Chinese sauce or the use of Chinese vegetables - there's always something Chinese on the menu."

The wood photo frame on the table lists the delicious food available.

"Designing it this way, the menu can stay on the table during the whole meal and our waiters and waitresses can explain each course when it's served," said Jonker.

Dutch cuisine is slightly influenced by Asian styles as the Dutch have a history of bringing laborers to the Netherlands from Indonesia and China during its colonial period, but it does have a "typical Dutch flavor", according to Jonker.

Starting with the bitterballen, or savory creamy meatball, these deep-fried meatballs are filled with beef brisket, veal and in the case of Crown's Summer Lounge's Chinese twist, Peking duck, and served with mustard or mayonnaise. They are perfect companions for beer, especially Heineken.

Similar to Chinese dining, the Dutch restaurant encourages diners to share dishes, from the appetizer to the main course.

"What we do is we put the plate in the middle of table and give everyone a small plate, so that they can taste all of dishes and share them," said Jonker. "Usually when you look at the menu, you always have one or two things you want to try, that's why we set up this concept."

A pair of orange chopsticks is on the table next to the knife and fork, to make sure Chinese guests can enjoy their beloved Peking duck cooked in the European way. This main course, fried breast of duck with citrus and carrot in a coriander dressing turns a simple meal into an occasion.

A jewel in the Dutch crown

"In China, people eat lots of duck, but not in this way," said Anja Albrecht, director of the restaurant. "Here we bake the duck breast quickly on both sides and then steam it. Because we prepare it with water, it keeps the taste tender."

While it's hard to skip the dark chocolate mousse or apple pie with vanilla cream served in the restaurant, instead sneak downstairs to the small shop on the ground floor for the Dutch waffle.

"It's different from the Belgium waffle, we call it stroopwafel - it's thin and crispy," said Jonker. "We cut the waffle in half, like a hamburger bun, and put in hot caramel syrup and close it."

Information

Apollo Business Center

A jewel in the Dutch crown

The serviced office provider, Apollo Business Center, has expanded its network of offices to four locations in Shanghai. These are:

Jing'an Center, 1440 Yan'an Road M

Tomson Center, 710 Dongfang Road

Xuhui Center, 1065 Zhaojiabang Road

Hongqiao Center, 83 Loushanguan Road

Toll free number: 400-883-5600

Regus Business Center

A jewel in the Dutch crown

With products and services ranging from fully equipped offices, virtual offices, professional meeting rooms, business lounges and video communication studios, the Regus Group has eight business centers in Shanghai, more than 35 across Greater China and 1,000 worldwide. The Shanghai locations are:

1. Bund Center: 222 Yan'an Road E, Huangpu

2. Jin Mao Tower: 88 Shiji Avenue, Lujiazui

3. Nanjing West Road: Shanghai Oriental Center, 699 Nanjing Road W, Jing'an

4. One Corporate Avenue: 222 Hubin Road, Luwan

5. ShanghaiMart Hongqiao: 2299 Yan'an Road W, Changning

6. Shui On Plaza: 333 Huaihai Road M, Luwan

7. Silver Center: 1388 Shaanxi Road N, Putuo

8. Standard Chartered Lujiazui: 201 Shiji Avenue, Lujiazui

Enquiry Number: 400-120-1205

Professional Car Rental from Hertz

A jewel in the Dutch crown

Available in over 147 countries and regions worldwide including China, Hertz provides a full range of services customized to the needs of individuals or businesses.

It has a wide variety of car models to cater to all your needs, from self-drive rentals to VIP airport transfers or even prestige cars for weddings and events. Expect reliable and quality service from Hertz.

Call toll free 800 988 1336 / 400 888 1336

Email : ChinaReservationCtr@Hertz.com

Book online at www.hertzchina.com

Central location

A stone's throw from the nightlife precinct of Xintiandi, the Ascott Huaihai Road Shanghai offers a premier urban lifestyle with its prestigious central location. Close to many restaurants, cafs, bars and boutiques, it is also located in a business area for added convenience.

282 Huaihai Road M

021- 2329-8888

French treat

With its two restaurants nestled on the tree-lined Wulumuqi Road and in the Gubei area, Caf Montmartre offers a variety of authentic French cuisine. Its focus on rich and classic dishes ranges from the simple cream of mushroom soup to the robust balance of grilled lamb chops, with business lunch set as a steal. The restaurants are open for lunch and dinner with a weekend brunch at the Hongmei Road location.

Gubei branch: 3911 Hongmei Road, 021-6261-8089

Changle branch: 66-68 Wulumuqi Road M, 021-5158-9377

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