Mmm, bitterballen...

A new Dutch snack bar and restaurant is coming soon to The Danforth, giving a permanent, bricks and mortar home to a pop-up restaurant series that started as "a casual annual get-together" almost 10 years ago.

"Borrel is a term the Dutch use to describe an informal gathering of friends for a drink and some snacks," reads the restaurant's website. "Our bar and restaurant aims to provide the perfect setting for you to enjoy just that!" 

Inspired by Holland's historic brown cafés, Borrel's menu includes plenty of hard-to-pronounce – but delicious sounding – traditional Dutch dishes like Erwtensoep (pea soup with smoked ham hock and sausage),  Poffertjes (mini puffed pancakes) and Draadjesvlees (slow-cooked seasoned “threaded beef”).

Bitterballen is described as "deep-fried balls of goodness served with mustard from Zaandam," which I think justifies my propensity to keep repeating the Mmmm sound.

The entire menu is worth taking a gander at, really. The illustrations alone will make you smile.

Borrel's owners say that they want to maintain "the dutch ethos of gezellig" with the new restaurant's atmosphere, similar to the "cozy and relaxed Sunday afternoon affairs" they've been hosting as pop-ups.

An opening date has yet to be announced, but we do know that spot is located just steps from Greenwood Station and that it's going to have some very cool art on the walls courtesy of Dutch-American artist Nanna Koekoek.

Story Originally posted on ://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2017/10/toronto-getting-dutch-snack-bar-and-restaurant/ 

For more information: www.borrel.ca

 

The entire CNBPA Board and Members share in the pride of accomplishment and recognition recently bestowed by the Consul General of The Netherlands in the name of King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands upon Martin van Denzen, a long time CNBPA   Member,  and volunteer.

In recognition of Martin’s tireless involvement throughout the years on behalf of the Canadian Dutch community, Martin received the Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau at a recent farewell event held for the outgoing Consul General of The Netherlands, Anne van Leeuwen.This is a chivalric Order intended to recognize individuals who earned “special merits for society.”

For the past 60 years in Canada, Martin has been a leader in strengthening the political and social relationship between The Netherlands and Canada. His past and present achievements include: President of the Dutch Canadian Association, host of the “Dutch Touch” on radio, spearheading events intended to recognize the Canadian veterans involved in the Liberation of The Netherlands, and participating in Dutch Canadian social and charity events such as the Netherlands Bazaar charity and Sinterklaas. And, to our benefit, when carrying out these activities, Martin always favourably represents CNBPA at the same time.

We congratulate Martin on this well-deserved lifetime achievement honour and recognition.