In Utrecht de natuur in!

(2h - half-day trip)

Utrecht is one of the most beautiful canal cities of Europe. The city offers an inspiring atmosphere of history, dating back to the 13th century, combined with a hipster culture. It is one of the best kept secrets of the Netherlands, and preferably it stays that way (I say that as an Utrechter). It's a city full of charm, without the flocks of tourists and therefore provides the ideal getaway for a day. 

There are many fun things to do in Utrecht. It's perfect for shopping (especially with the new shopping center Hoog Catharijne), there are sights for architecture lovers (Rietveld-Schröderhuis), history addicts (Dom-tower, Duitse huis), and culture fanatics (Nijntje/Miffy museum). However, even this hidden city provides some hidden beauties, of which one is the Theehuis Rhijnauwen. 

As you might have noticed, there are not many restaurants offering typical Dutch food. Even though there are many types of typical Dutch dishes, we prefer to cook them at home. Eating out is for enjoying the delicious flavours of Southern Europe, Asia, Central/South America, or maybe one, typical Dutch dish: Pancakes. 

Theehuis Rhijnauwen (Teahouse Rhijnauwen), is definitely the best place in the surrounding of Utrecht to enjoy this dish. Going there means cycling through Utrecht's hidden forest while seeing the bright red house at the end of the road and smelling the scent of baked apple, bacon and cheese coming at you through the trees. It's a hidden gem for locals and therefore can be pretty crowded on spring and summer days when the sun is out. You will feel like one of the Dutch if you go here on your bycicle on a sunny day. 

Getting to the pancake house is easy, you simply need to find a bike. If you're staying with a local, you can ask them to rent an OV-bike for you (you need a personal public transportation card), which only costs 3,85 a day. Otherwise you can rent one at Laag Catharijne Rental and Repair (7,50+ a day), Bike Rental Utrecht - Black Bikes (6,50+ for 3 hours), and the best one: Willemstraatbike (7 euros per day). Then you navigate to Rhijnauwenselaan 16, 3981 HH Bunnik, which takes about 30 minutes from Utrecht Central Station area. Don't worry, it's an easy ride, no hills no frills since you're in the Netherlands, and as a bonus you will pas the Rietveld-Schröderhuis on your way! 

When you arrive, I strongly recommend you to take a walk in the surrounding area. It's beautiful and full of history. You can find constructions and a fort built in the 19th century, as well as an organic dairy farm where you can buy raw milk and just several nice hiking paths. This hiking will only prepare you more for the delicious and huge pancake you'll have afterwards. The list is long, and I'm sure you'll be overwhelmed with choices, so here are some suggestions for Dutch pancakes: 

- Naturel (natural pancake on which you can put the sirop that is on the table)
- Appel (apple)
- Ham
- Kaas (cheese)
- Spek (bacon)
- Appel en kaneel (apple and cinnamon)
- Spek en appel (bacon and apple)
- Spek en kaas (bacon and cheese) 
- And many more combinations............ 

But, if you're really hungry, try out some of the special pancakes as well, they are unique and delicious! And make sure to pet the donkeys!

Sooo, yesterday was the best evening in the past few weeks! After weeks of work stress, family stress and job searching, I was spontaneously treated with a visit to the new Japanese restaurant in Utrecht; Kakunosuke. I had been wanting to go there ever since it opened (end of December), but it was always too busy and a bit too expensive for me so this was an amazing treat! 

The restaurant is located in quite a busy street in the middle of Utrecht City Centre. It is not too outspoken on the outside, but farely simple, resembling the Japanese minimalistic style. When entering, we were greeted by a beautiful Japanese lady in kimono (or yukata, not sure) in the typical Japanese way with "irasshaimase!", or freely translated "welcome!". I immediately felt like I was back in Japan, which made me even more excited. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful, warm and obviously decorated with attention to detail. Tables were made of strong wood, the set up was simple with a candle and some chopstiks and the walls really resonated this Japanese minimalistic, but cosy style again. We even saw the typical large room in the back which in Japan is often reserved by businessmen after which they close the curtains, eat, drink and close their deals. When sitting down and taking in the environment, my ears were greeted with the typical Japanese jazzy lounge music in that was playing in the background, reminding me of the hip and fancy cafe's in Kyoto.

We were presented with the menu. The concept is a bit different from their other restaurant (konousuke) and resembles that of a fancy Japanese izakaya. In an izakaya people get together with friends and colleagues to drink and share all kinds of small dishes. At Kakunosuke the idea was quite the same. There was a long list of drinks, including many Japanese cocktails (such as what they call sour cocktails like lemon-sour), Japanese whiskey and Japanese beers. And of course there are also non-alcoholic options. There are plenty of small dishes (also vegan) and two large dishes; udon curry with chicken or with vegetables. We were advised to take 5 small dishes and the 'main' dish, with is what the average customer takes. We decided to go for three small ones and maybe order extra if we wanted more combined with the two Japanese vegetarian curries. 

After we both got out cocktails, a lemon sour and a yuzu (Japanese citrus) sour which both tasted like they had very little alcohol, we could not wait for our food. The small dishes were served together. We had the tomato with Japanese shiso leaf, cabbage with miso-sauce and the chilled tofu. The dishes where all beautifully presented, especially the tofu dish, and when I had my first bite my memories of my food experiences in Japan immediately came back. These were not like many 'Japanese' dishes you get in the Netherlands, that are adjusted to our palate, but tasted like real authentic Japanese dishes. The taste of sesame sauce, miso and ponzu were some of my favorites in Japan, and we were both enjoying it a lot. So much, actually, that when the waitress was looking away, we decided to scoop up all the left over sauce and dressing and eat it like we were eating soup. 

Next, we got out udon (thick noodles) curry dish, one with egg yolk and one without. The curry tasted fresh, sweet, savoury and well-seasoned all at the same time, and we even got some toppings with it. Again, the presentation of the dish was unbeatable and we both did not want to destroy it, but we also could not wait to try it. So there we went, diving into our curries and what an adventure it was. We slurped up the noodles like the Japanese would do it and did not leave anything behind. We glowed with satisfaction and words remained unspoken while we devoured (with respect of course) our meals. 

Last but not least, we had to have desert. My choice was easy with mochi being the only (and by coincidence my favourite) vegan desert, and Ties had the matcha (green tea) cookies. This last one was not really typically Japanese, but nevertheless amazing. And my mochi? It was the most delicious one I have eaten since leaving Japan. In the end, these three dishes, the main dish and the desert were enough for us and we felt satisfied and full (and we are average-big eaters), but we could have eaten more if we tried. The bill, well I cannot say much about that, but with these veggie small dishes averaging 5/5,50 euro's each, the main dish 13 euro's and the desert 3-4 euro's, it is not for cheap and quick dinners. Also the drinks of 7,50/8,50 each add quite a sum to the final check. Nevertheless, we felt like it was worth it and when we have the opportunity to pay a bit more for dinner, we will definitely come back :D.