May 30, 2023 · Culinary Journalist
Is it a coffee bar, wine bar, cocktail bar, restaurant, or distillery? Mr. Mofongo, next to the academy building in the heart of Groningen, is all of these in one. A concept based on the idea that you never have to go home again. Well, except to sleep, that is.
You can embark on a culinary world tour there, thanks to the experiences of the fictional world traveler Mr. Mofongo himself. The establishment is a journey of discovery in itself, with all the stairs, intriguing nooks, and different floors intertwined. There is something to see everywhere, and you are constantly surprised. There is plenty of ingenuity, such as robotic arms in the cocktail bar, moving spice racks, or a fully automated wine cellar where information about your chosen wine is presented on a screen embedded in the floor.
Patrick Beijk’s business is in good hands with head chef Arno Miedema and operations manager Justin van der Veen. They speak with great pride about ‘their’ company. What stands out immediately, and is confirmed several times later, is the harmonious atmosphere. A versatile company with so many employees can easily become impersonal. At Mr. Mofongo That is not the case. Precisely because the team is young and passionate and works well together, there is ample room for everyone to develop. Consequently, they do not experience a staff shortage here. And that is an unprecedented luxury in these times.
People come back for the satay and the ribs.
‘At Mr. Mofongo, you can eat well for a good price, where we hold service and quality in high regard,’ says Justin. The cuisine is not French or Mediterranean, but truly international. Lunch and dinner are served in the restaurant on the ground floor. According to Arno, guests always return for the satay and the ribs. Those ribs have now been given a special jerk sauce that is spicy and sweet. In addition, they serve grilled fish with always three types of fresh fish of the day, taking the season into account. There are pasta specials that change every week, as well as chef’s specials that draw inspiration from all corners of the world.
In the wine bar on the top floor, the concept is shared dining. Think salmon tiradito (a type of ceviche, but just a little different), flammkuchen, roasted cauliflower with gochujang, or simply delicious oysters. With, incidentally, a wide selection of both vegetarian and vegan dishes. Because, well, there is simply a lot of demand for that, explains Arno.
The wine bar uses a ‘wine by the glass’ system (Coravin), where wine is poured using a needle through the cork. With this system, they serve around 70 wines by the glass. This is super convenient if you want to taste some more special wines but don't want to order a whole bottle right away. The menu features many wines from the New World, such as Israel, Lebanon, and Morocco. This way, you can easily get acquainted with different types of wine.
The cocktail bar is a spectacle. A high, colorful wall holds dozens of bottles of liquor. The drinks are ‘tapped’ using a robotic arm. It is well worth seeing with your own eyes for the show effect alone. Moreover, the drinks served there come from their own distillery. You absolutely must try the limoncello and the salty caramel liqueurs!
In short, plenty of reasons to pay a visit to this interesting hospitality establishment.
Mr. Mofongo is open every day from 11:00 AM. The wine and cocktail bar have different opening hours. You can find them at mofongo.nl
