Restaurant Hemingway becomes Restaurant 1397 and sets a new culinary course
Imad Khalfioui en Torben Bouterse
Directeur Frans Hazen
Fruits de mer
Boerderijeend, hoisin, paksoi, enoki
Restaurant 1397 is the new name of restaurant Hemingway in Grand Hotel and Résidence De Draak in Bergen op Zoom. The restaurant, which is located in the oldest hotel in the Netherlands, has been given a new place as of September 6, 2021 in a beautiful historical setting, whereby the culinary level is further increased. The new name refers to 1397,the year in which De Draak certainly already existed as a business in the hospitality industry.
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Since 1397
Restaurant Hemingway has moved within the walls of Hotel De Draak on 6 September 2021 to the beautiful historic Sint Maarten Hall, also the oldest part of the hotel.
Director-Owner Frans Hazen: “We ran into limits in Hemingway’s limited space. At the new location we can receive about 50 guests in a spacious setting with lots of privacy. The new name Restaurant 1397 refers to the year 1397, the year of which we know for sure that De Draak already existed as an inn. In that year there was the big city fire, which reduced almost all of Bergen op Zoom to ashes. Only two buildings were spared, including De Draak. Because the city archives were lost in the city fire, we do not know exactly how old De Draak really is. The cellars under De Draak show that it is quite possible that De Draak existed for at least 100 years before 1397. In any case, De Draak has had an uninterrupted catering function since at least 1397, making it the oldest hotel in the Netherlands.”
Unique historical decor
In Restaurant 1397, guests eat in the unique setting of a historic styled room with eye-catchers such as a large dragon painting, a large carpet with a dragon, the world map painted on the ceiling, the huge fireplace, chandeliers and art on the walls. Frans Hazen: “It’s almost like eating in a museum. As a counterpart, the tables covered with table linen are equipped with modern floral decorations and the dishes are served on modern crockery. The restaurant is spread over the ground floor and the mezzanine, which has a beautiful view over the city square. 1397 also has a beautiful lunch terrace.
Culinary bar raised even higher
Chef Torben Bouterse cooks modern dishes with international influences, on the basis of classical French cuisine. With Zeeland ( Dutch Province located near the sea) around the corner they have chosen for a cuisine based on this Province. Torben Bouterse:” I love to cook with fish, shellfish and seafood, and there’s been a lot of attention to the vegetables on the plate. Our appetizers are always vegetarian and I love to process vegetables in desserts. The herbs and edible flowers are coming from the garden in the palace of the Markiezenhof. With transferring Hemingway to 1397, we have raised the culinary bar as well. In 2022, we will move the kitchen and we are going to create an open kitchen with a chef’s table for even more guest experience.’’
The restaurant manager is Imad Khalfioui, who has several Michelin star businesses written on his resume.
About De Draak and 1397
Grand Hotel and Résidence De Draak is an independent, privately owned four-star hotel with 62 rooms located in Bergen op Zoom. It dates from, at least, the year 1397 and is the oldest hotel in the Netherlands. Restaurant 1397 is located within the walls of De Draak. The kitchen is open daily from 12:00 to 15:00 and from 18:00 to 21:30.
Restaurant 1397 is affiliated with Dutch Cuisine and QL Hotels & Restaurants. The previous restaurant Hemingway has been included in restaurant guides such as Michelin, Lekker, Gault&Millau (14 points) and Proefschrift Restaurants.
Website: Hotel De Draak
