Bistro LOF

On the beautiful estate of Parc Broekhuizen, alongside the renowned Voltaire, you can also find the charming, beautifully appointed Bistro LOF. Since this year, Zoë Jonker has been cooking. We enjoy with a capital G pure dishes and local...

Bistro LOF is located in a beautiful historic farmhouse on the Culinary Estate Parc Broekhuizen. On sunny days, you enjoy a panoramic view of the woods and vegetable garden from the terrace. The seating is comfortable in the elegant, contemporary dining room, filled with natural light from the extended conservatory. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the young staff, who greatly enhance this vibe, are warm, disarming, and thoroughly knowledgeable about the food and beverages. The venue is pleasantly busy with guests of all ages. From the open kitchen come refined dishes rooted in classic tradition and enriched with international influences. Each plate is artfully presented, free of unnecessary frills. Pure flavors take center stage. The menu offers both à la carte selections and a rotating multi-course tasting menu. Additionally, there is a lunch and drinks menu. With the aperitif, a crisp pastry cracker served with egg yolk gel, truffle cream, and chives is presented. A delightfully fresh start. For the starter: hamachi with strawberries, jalapeño cream, radish, lamb’s ears, and kefir. Salinity and bright acidity unite, creating a true feast for the eyes. Perfectly harmonized with a glass of Riesling Red Stone 2023 from Weingut Gunderloch, Rheinhessen, Germany. The main course delivers super-tender lamb with mustard, green asparagus, pommes fondantes, onion cream, chive and potato crunch, and a bold thyme jus. The Famille Perrin Vinsobres 2021 Les Cornuds from the Rhône region in France proves to be an outstanding pairing. For dessert, a miniature masterpiece of vanilla panna cotta with rhubarb, hibiscus, basil sorbet, and almond dacquoise awaits. Simply flawless. Well-satisfied, we conclude with a strong espresso and madeleines filled with advocaat buttercream. One minor note: the service pace could be slightly quicker. A wonderful spot. Following the departure of chef Ewout Eleveld, Zoë Jonker now leads the kitchen, while Ralph Jonker has stepped into the role of all-round manager.

Bistro LOF, short for Local Organic Farm, can be found on the grounds of Culinair Landgoed Parc Broekhuizen in Leersum. The old farmhouse has been transformed into a beautiful design bistro, and the atmosphere is more informal than that of its 'big brother', the fine dining restaurant Voltaire, located on the same estate. Alongside passersby, many hotel guests come here for a light lunch or to enjoy dinner. You can also drop by for coffee with something sweet, or a good glass of wine with a snack. Chef Ewout Eleveld (who was formerly the right-hand man to chef Jacob Jan Boerma for many years) cooks light and familiar dishes with subtle acidity, using plenty of ingredients from his own kitchen garden and the adjoining forest. In addition to set menus, there is an extensive à la carte selection. Scallops with peas come paired with an incredibly rich beurre blanc made from salted pork belly, chorizo, and a lightly tangy dressing. The plate is generously garnished with flowers and leaves from the garden. Next comes meltingly tender polder lamb served with airy smoked potato mousseline, crisp-tender green and white asparagus, garlic chives, and finished with a rich, house-made reduced jus. The portion sizes are generous, which is hardly surprising given that dining here isn't exactly cheap. We can't resist ordering a bowl of homemade fries with mayonnaise on the side. You won't hear us complaining. There's still room for dessert: a Betuwe apple tarte tatin served with vanilla ice cream and lemon. And we have no regrets about it. A lovely spot.

Parc Broekhuizen is now home to an additional bistro. Alongside the prestigious fine dining restaurant Voltaire sits LOF, which is more informal and differently priced. Ewout Eleveld, who spent years working at the former restaurant De Leest in Vaassen under Jacob Jan Boerma, is the chef, and he has incorporated his fondness for sour, bitter, fresh, and sweet flavors into his cooking style. The restaurant manager, skilled host, and sommelier is Sjef Verbruggen. LOF is housed in a modernized farmhouse featuring a luxurious extension and a large window front that floods the space with light. We look out onto a vast, beautifully landscaped terrace equipped with floating parasols, modern outdoor furniture, and large floral arrangements. The kitchen is completely open and spans the entire width of the building, creating a highly pleasant atmosphere and connecting the chefs directly with the guests. From the impressive wine list, which notably features a high number of labels in the premium price segment, we order a Pinot Grigio from Terrana Wines. There are no amuse-bouches here; we dive straight into the starter. A salad of Dutch prawns in avocado cream with various melons, juicy tomato, burrata cream, and herbs, garnished with colorful flowers from their own (vegetable) garden, accompanied by vinaigrettes made from vegetables, laver, peppers, and miso oil. Fresh, light, and beautifully presented. Perfectly cooked plaice follows, served with a cream of forest carrot, chanterelles, jus of sea aster and lamb's lettuce, and a frothy beurre blanc infused with tarragon and basil oil. Another testament to culinary craftsmanship. Served alongside is a bowl of farm-style fries with the skin on and homemade mayonnaise. How happy food can make you. Pistachio mousse with fresh strawberries, vanilla carambola, and rosewater ice cream is the dessert. Served in an elegant coupe on a slender stem. The young waitstaff could still use some refinement in their wine and food knowledge. At the very least, this beautiful cuisine deserves it. Welcome to Delicious!