The Lekker top 500

Owner Frans Hazen has his affairs in order at Grand Hotel De Draak, located in the historical centre of Bergen op Zoom. Restaurant 1397 is part of this oldest catering establishment in the Netherlands and the grandeur of the entourage alone is worth a visit.

But that would be doing the gastronomic level of chef Torben Bouterse and his young and ambitious team an injustice, because tasting his skills is a real treat. In a brand-new kitchen equipped with all sustainable conveniences, refined and innovative cooking is done with mostly local seasonal products. Torben's Zeeland roots are reflected in the range of dishes with fish, shellfish and crustaceans, and he does not shy away from regularly adding an Asian accent.



The passionate sommelier Walter Lopez Gomez, born and raised in Mexico, is tasked with serving the right wines. Rest assured, his choices are surprising and endearing, but that is only right for the price charged for the wine. With a glass of crémant D'Alsace from Domaine Kientzler, we are served welcome snacks such as batter-fried lukewarm cauliflower with curry mayonnaise and homemade Joppie sauce. Applause for the perfectly prepared lobster with a nice firm bite under a wafer-thin transparent roof of espresso, surrounded by sweet and sour foamy beurre blanc of sauerkraut. Served on beautiful modern tableware. Just as good is the veal sweetbread with XO sauce and a quenelle of cauliflower puree with softly roasted little gem with potato cracklings served separately. A case to keep an eye on. The Top 100 is in sight.