Is confit de canard tastier than a portion of onion rings? Does Kobe beef trump a hearty sandwich with Gouda? Will a gin & tonic meringue please your tummy more than a gingerbread cookie? ‘Every man to his taste’ they say, and I couldn’t agree more. What matters in the end is the quality of the food you eat. Whether you chomp down on confit de canard or onion rings, the true essence of the food lies in the quality of its ingredients and the care with which it is made.
When it comes down to quality, Limburg knows a thing or two. The province brims with Burgundian tastes, refined dishes, and merry epicureans. Whether you’re looking for an extensive dinner in a Michelin-star restaurant or a large portion of fries with “Zuurvlees”, Limburg always has the perfect dish to sate your hunger.
Today, I want to guide you through some of my favorite culinary highlights near Parc Maasresidence Thorn. My goal is not to compare the most refined gastronomical dishes, but rather, I merely wish to outline what I think tastes good. Therefore, price does not matter. Quality does. However, at the end of the day, it’s all about your personal taste and preference, so take each of my culinary suggestions with a grain of salt.
I’ll start off with my favorite choice for when I simply can’t choose. You can’t really put a cuisine-type label on Bistrot Bar de Etalage, but that’s what makes it so intriguing! Every taste is unique and nostalgically recognizable at the same time. Quite a feat if you ask me. Duck liver with hibiscus and hazelnut, glazed pork belly with tandoori and little gem, black pudding with apple, pernod, and caramelized onion… all amazing taste combinations in their own right; and those are just the starters. The mains boast an equal spectrum of special flavors, but I must say that the Double Dutch Ribeye with maitake, bimi, chimichurri, and black garlic takes the steak –uh- cake! All in all, at Bistrot Bar de Etalage, every taste preference will be satisfied with the right dish. The restaurant is 30km away from Parc Maasresidence Thorn. You can choose to drive there, but I would suggest going by bike. You will follow the stunning Maasplassen and even venture into Belgium for a bit. It may be a journey of 1.5 hours, but that only makes the reward at the end that much tastier!
Extra tip: should you swing by for lunch, then try out the croissant with crayfish! Man oh man, nothing compares!
It’s not a snack bar. It’s also not a restaurant. It’s somewhere in between, but that’s exactly where La Fabrique thrives! If you just ran the retail gauntlet of Designer Outler Roermond, then this food hub is the place to be. The menu is mainly Middle Eastern and Asian, but with foods that most of us recognize and love. Super soft bao buns, fresh humus, juicy chicken, and rich satay sauce steamily await any hungry passerby. And then there’s the pastries… oh dear god the pastries! I have only tasted the caramel-nut tartlet so far, but it convinced me to come back and try all their delectable little treasure troves. La Fabrique is 16km away from Parc Maasresidence Thorn. You can easily visit Roermond by bike, but you can also choose to take the direct bus line that stops in front of the resort.
Extra tip: book the Lake View hotel room for 2 people and receive a 10% shopping discount at Designer Outlet Roermond. Whatever you save can then be spent on fried sushi rolls at La Fabrique!
It’s no surprise that my culinary guide has reached the provincial capital, but with good reason. Previously, I mentioned that Limburg is notorious for its Burgundian palette, and without a doubt, De Gouverneur is the figurehead of all things Burgundian. With more than 300 specialty beers and 28 taps, this brown café on the Boschstraat readily pours over 100,000 liters of beer per year. Aside from the beer cheer, the café also harbors quite a few tasty delights. Try out their highly sought-after fish and chips with creamy remoulade sauce or go for my personal favorite: Boulets à la Liégeoise; meatballs in a syrupy sauce of brown beer and bacon. Should you, however, truly wish to embrace to Burgundian spirit, then I would go for the local snack platter. With sharp, creamy cheeses, smoky charcuterie, and a variety of regional delicacies, this platter is sure to scratch that Burgundian itch. De Gouverneur is 45km away from Parc Maasresidence. You will need to drive there, but be sure to take a designated driver with you (preferably someone who doesn’t like beer!)
Extra tip: I know this blog is about food, but I would like to make an exception with De Gouverneur. I had the pleasure of combining my snack platter with a Lowlander Poorter. The intense, bitter notes of this beer complimented the creamy texture of the cheeses perfectly!
Just south of Maastricht but still in The Netherlands, the majestic Château Neercanne sits proudly perched upon its hillside pedestal overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage gardens and the Jeker Valley. Inside the palace, you can savor an unparalleled Michelin star menu in a glimmering hall with antique wood, dazzling chandeliers, and life-sized paintings. However, as your culinary horizons are pleasantly broadened by the five-, six-, or seven-course menu, you might just fail to notice a wholly different kind of palace sprawling underneath your feet. The wine cellars of Château Neercanne are just as famed as the restaurant itself. The old marl caves have a rich history and even richer wines pouring out of every opening. I would therefore highly suggest choosing a wine accompaniment for your menu. Château Neercanne is 50km away from Parc Maasresidence Thorn. Every kilometer made, however, is doubly repaid in marvelous flavors and stunning scenery!
Extra tip: the vegetarian menu is, for a large part, different from the standard menu. Therefore, I would even suggest going there twice. I know, I know… it’s ridiculously expensive, but it’s also ridiculously good!
I would be lying if I said I didn’t expect our culinary journey to end with a portion of fries in Maastricht. After all, it’s the culinary heritage that defines all peoples of the Lowlands! Every Dutch or Belgian person has a weak for that crispy, yellow bouquet with a generous dollop of mayonnaise. Yet, even with fries, there is a distinct difference in quality; a difference that Friedt in Maastricht is well aware of. Fresh potatoes from local farmers, cut by hand and fried to crunchy, golden-brown perfection… gosh darn it, Friedt simply turns fries into art! And I haven’t even mentioned the toppings yet. Indulge yourself in chicken ketjap with roasted garlic, truffle mayonnaise with melted cheddar, pulled chicken with satay sauce, and of course Limburg’s pride: Maastrichts Zoervleisch! I am not a very religious man, but even I can’t deny the role god played in creating this insanely tasty stew of horse meat, vinegar, syrup, gingerbread, cloves, and bay leaves. Friedt is 45km away from Parc Maasresidence Thorn. Should you go eat there, I would suggest exploring Maastricht while you’re at it. The city’s old city walls, mysterious caves, and the Vrijthof are certainly worth your time.
Extra tip: at Friedt, it also pays off to opt for the classic: fries with mayonnaise. They make their own mayonnaise, resulting in it being slightly more sour. This adds a whole new dimension to the crunchy taste sensation!
Well, isn’t that just great… now I have to write a conclusion with a grumbling belly. I’ll keep it short so that all of us can still our growling tummies with some delicious Limburg delights as soon as possible. Quality, my dear ladies and gentlemen; that’s what it’s all about. Eat whatever you like, but go for nothing but the best! When you roll back to your villa or apartment on the Maasplassen, I hope that the ribeye of Bistrot Bar de Etalge, the bao buns of La Fabrique, the snack platter of De Gouverneur, the wines of Château Neercanne, and the fries of Friedt will have filled a spot in your tummy as well as your heart. Burgundian gastronomy: that’s what we do best down here in Limburg. Come join us for a bite!
