Tuesday 10 May 2011

Networking dinner at the Five Flies Restaurant.

Restaurant d'Vijff Vlieghen is a testament of the life's work of Amsterdammer Nicolaas Kroese, who died in 1971. In 1939, this art and antique dealer opened a public house in these same premises,offering his guests fine French and Hungarian wines, Amstel beer and his own inimitable conversation.With the help of a local woman, known as Mother Hendrina, the bar soon became a popular eatinghouse too. Nicolaas Kroese was hardly a shrinking violet, and his relentless self-publicity produced a seemingly endless stream of new restaurant customers. In 1948, this eccentric host appeared on Broadway with his 17th century cage and its inhabitants of five copper flies.

His strange talent soon drew the attention of the American media and innumerable film stars, musicians and writers beat a path to his restaurant. Walt Disney, John Wayne, Gary Cooper, Elvis Presley, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Springsteen and Versace amongst them. These days, every chair in the restaurant carries a small copper plate engraved with the name of a famous guest who once visited the restaurant.

The imprint Nicolaas Kroese made on the restaurant he created is still very much in evidence today in its richly decorated interior. d'Vijff Vlieghen is located in five authentic 17th century buildings between the Spuistraat and the Singel. The restaurant was opened in 1939.

Book now!

The dinner ticket is charged at €70 plus VAT @ 19%= €83.30. Places are limited – book now in order to avoid disappointment.