Herring

Hollandse Nieuwe is The Netherlands national dish, coming in from the harsh North Sea fished by tough as nails seamen. Its typical season is at the end of spring and beginning of summer. It is eaten raw (though submitted to a cure process), with raw onions, in vertical bites, looking up and letting it go down into your mouth. Its effect in your mouth is explosive - you can either love it or hate, but you can't stay indifferent to it. In my case, I love it. And I dare you to discover your opinion.

Zeezout

Zeezout is one of my top-listed restaurants in Rotterdam. The reasons - well, see below, but the fact it has great fish contributes to it.

Vierhaven area is one of the most charming in Rotterdam. In the centre of the city, nested between an old dock filled with vintage boats (Vierhaven itself) and the beautiful Het Park, it is an area of classic private banking, big manors and great taste - in all senses. And that also applies to taste, on the palate sense. Zeezout is a great example of it, in its cozy corner of a beautiful 4-storeys building.

The dining-room is not very big, with 10 to 12 tables. As soon as you get into the dining room, you feel the warmth, the good reception, the good service (something that is not normal at only in The Netherlands, let me tell you...). Things will get even better once you have a look at the menu. Fish dishes abound, which, for me, Portuguese from heart and soul, means I am closer to paradise.

But then paradise materializes in your mouth, once you start tasting those dishes. A cocktail of prawn, chorizo and coucous or a sea bass and smoked eel sashimi are great starters, that fill your mouth with sea flavours. A seabream in salted crust is a perfect follow up - or a chateaubriand of tuna -, always with a fine white wine pair (if you prefer you can ask for the wine / dish pairing, according to your taste). Believe me, they are as amazing fish experiences as you can find in The Netherlands.

This restaurant reconciled me with Rotterdam. It warmed my mouth and my soul. And it is still my number one restaurant in Rotterdam - the very good, fresh fish, superbly cooked, the quality of service, the desserts (oops, I didn't tell you this before) and surprising coffee (I will not tell you about the surprise, though), ensures it.

Where: Rotterdam – The Netherlands

Address: Westerkad 11b, 3016CL Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Phone: +31 10 436 5049

Website: http://restaurantzeezout.nl/ 

Expensive: As I said before, quality has a price. Prepare to pay around €70 per person, depending on the wine. 

Last visit: September 2015