Update 2018: the BAUT popup listed below has closed its doors (it is a moving restaurant that has occupied a range of magnificent properties in Amsterdam including the Parool newspaper building and a former Citroen garage). BUT – their new location has just opened to the public after a flurry of press previews. It’s in a chapel in the cool Spaarndammerburt neighbourhood which is between the Westerpark and the River Ij in the West of the city (near the lovely Yays). The review below will give you an idea of what to expect. Book ahead !
BAUT en Dreesmann is THE pop-up hotspot in Amsterdam right now. Based in a derelict department store (the BAUT guys occupy high profile buildings to protect them from squatters) if it sounds off the wall, you haven’t read anything yet. Established by the kings of the Dutch foodie pop-up scene (brothers Michiel and Lucas van der Eerdeand – Michiel is a judge on Dutch Masterchef) the duo run the upmarket and (literally) hot Restaurant C and describe their BAUT pop-up philosophy as a “moving circus” having relocated it several times over the last couple of years. The name this time references the location in the former menswear department of V&D (Vroom en Dreesmann) – a high-profile department store chain which fell victim to the recession – and their reinvention of the space has quickly become one of the city’s most exciting and iconic places to eat.
From the moment you walk in through the grafitti’d boarded-up entrance you know this is going to be fun. Follow the intriguing signs: “walk up the corridor, turn left, then right and head up to the third floor in the elevator” and arrive in a large industrial-chic space, graced with Banksy-alikes sprayed on the walls and fitted with a full open kitchen (and in our case Blondie playing on full volume).
But its not style over substance – the food here is fantastic too. The menu is divided into four sections spanning Asian food to Classics and the plates are sharing size – midway between starters and mains. Order a selection or go for the chef’s special choice with or without wine pairings and make sure you sit by the window for one of Amsterdam’s best views. We can highly recommend the steak tartare although it’s hard to pick a favourite amongst so many strong contenders.
If you want to spend a night with Amsterdam’s beautiful people make sure you book before the cooking brothers move this circus on to its next destination at the end of the year.
