Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal: A new favorite hotspot in Zuidas!

Popped by the revamped Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal yet? No? Then you’re missing out! Ten months ago, Gert Blom, former owner of Michelin-starred Amarone in Rotterdam, took the helm. Hello Zuidas talked to him about his plans for Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal and got a ‘taste’ of what to expect.

GERT BLOM LABOUR OF LOVE

From the first moment Gert stepped inside Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal, he saw possibilities all around. ‘The location between the Olympic Stadium and Zuidas is ideal. Plus there’s a car park under the building and it’s just five minutes off the motorway. When I heard the restaurant was looking for a buyer, I thought: this is something I want to take on!’ His first plan after sealing the deal was to reach out more to the business market. With a venue that can accommodate thousand people, Gert is already hosting plenty of company receptions, presentations and dinners, while serving patrons in the restaurant too.

TASTE WITHOUT LIMITS

To live up to its name, Gert points out, Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal has to offer plenty to taste. There’s a great chef in the kitchen and the menu changes every three months. And, he assures us, the options are limitless. ‘From bitterballen to a six-course meal. We can meet any request, no strings attatched. Say you want a different décor. We’ll call in a stylist.’

MIDLIFE MIXERS

Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal’s owner has plenty more plans for the new year. One is to make it a new hotspot for the midlife crowd. ‘Amsterdam hasn’t got many places with a classy nightlife for thirty, forty and fifty somethings. By which I mean enjoying a glass of fine wine or a G&T without being elbowed by your 21-year-old nephew’, Gert jokes. ‘In time, I want us to be that destination.’ That’s on top of the company functions, in a separate part of Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal. ‘Because this should also be a place where couples can enjoy a romantic dinner.’

GASTRONOMIC HOTSPOT

Gert is also allying with a range of other hospitality organizations. Training and certification organization SVH and the Amsterdam Regional Training Centre (ROC) are already partners, and soon wine expert and former chef Robert Kranenborg will start teaching wine courses here. ‘I want Het Amsterdamse Proeflokaal to become the hotspot for drinks, food and socializing’, Gert concludes. Here at Hello Zuidas, we’re keen for a taste!

HET AMSTERDAMSE PROEFLOKAAL

Where Stadionplein 300, Amsterdam Seats 1,000. What restaurant, tasting room, receptions, company functions, etc. Open Monday through Sunday. Parking underneath the building, cost is €3.50/hour.