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Hotel Okura restaurant in Amsterdam

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Hotel Okura Amsterdam may be regarded as a source of culinary inspiration. Every day 80 chefs are at work at the Okura to give the hotel’s guests a unique culinary experience.

Ciel Bleu Restaurant

The innovation of 'haute cuisine' and a breathtaking view over Amsterdam

One of Amsterdam’s most remarkable restaurants is on the 23 rd floor of the Hotel Okura Amsterdam. The Ciel Bleu Restaurant has been awarded one Michelin star, and like to adjacent Ciel Bleu Bar, offers a panoramic view of Amsterdam’s city centre. The breathtaking view together with personal hospitality create a unique atmosphere. The Ciel Bleu Restaurant’s ambitious kitchen staff present ‘Cuisine Creative’, which is based on French cuisine with seasonal products and characterized by innovation. The Sommerlier’s professionalism and close cooperation with the Chef result in prefect harmony between wine and food. The Ciel Bleu Restaurant has two salons, the ‘Salon Panoramique’ and the ‘Salon Etoile’. These rooms are the perfect location for private or business dinners. The Ciel Bleu offers seating for up to 76 guests, 56 of which can be seated in the main restaurant and 20 in the two elegant private rooms, Salon Panor­a­mique and Salon des Etoiles. These rooms are per­fect for pri­vate or bus­i­ness din­n­ers.

Yamazato Restaurant

A traditional Japanese restaurant with a Sushi Bar.

Japanese à la carte restaurant Yamazato is a popular venue in Amsterdam for savouring traditional Japanese food. More than 50 Japanese specialities are prepared by the skilful hands of Executive Chef and Manager Akira Oshima, who has gained much experience from many years in the field, including eight years at the famous restaurant Tsurya in Osaka, Japan. When he came to the Netherlands in 1971, he had only one desire: to acquaint as many Dutch people and other Europeans as possible with Japanese cuisine. Authentic Japanese cuisine that is, because Oshima insists on honouring traditional cultural values.

Executive Chef and Manager Oshima is well aware of the importance of high-quality fresh ingredients and the presentation of the dishes in Japanese cuisine. This is clearly to be discerned both in his cooking and in his management of the fifteen well-trained Japanese cooks. All fish and vegetables come from the waters and soil in Holland or elsewhere in Europe with a guarantee of perfect freshness. If necessary, certain items are flown in directly from Japan with special care.

Various menus offer selections of traditional delicacies to suit every palate. The à la carte menu features popular dishes such as Tempura, Shabu-Shabu, Sukiyaki, Yaki-tori and many others. A large variety of the freshest Sushi and Sashimi is available and may also be selected individually at the Sushi counter. The restaurant has completely been designed in Sukiya style and is one of the most traditional Japanese restaurants in Europe. Adding to the traditional atmosphere of the restaurant is the uniform worn by the waitresses: the traditional Japanese Kimono. Zen Buddhism, which was prevalent when the tea-ceremony houses were developed in the 15th and 16th centuries, inspired the Sukiya style. Simplicity is central to the Sukiya style and the interior of the Yamazato reflects warm Japanese hospitality. Symmetrical partitions create flexibility and privacy. Rice-paper lanterns provide a subtle Japanese touch, as do the rice-paper screens that top the large windows. A Japanese garden complements the restaurant.

The Yamazato Restaurant includes a traditional Japanese Tatami Room, which has a tatami matted floor and a classic Japanese interior and is after a renovation reopened. The private rooms; Hana, Tsuki and Yuki of the Yamazato Restaurant are also renovated in the beginning of September 2005. The private rooms are ideal venues for private business luncheons and dinners as well as private sit-down parties celebrating special occasions. The rooms offer a beautiful view over the Japanese garden.

Text and photo © Hotel Okura

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