March 24, 2025 · Culinary Journalist
Located in the charming Schilderswijk in Groningen restaurant ‘t Koetshuys, where owner Jasper Markus and his team work daily on a culinary experience that is both accessible and refined. ‘We try to be there for everyone,’ says Markus. ‘Affordable, while at the same time surprising our guests with the highest possible level of service, food, and wine.’
Although his heart lies with classic French cuisine, Markus draws inspiration from all over the world. ‘There are so many influences these days: Italian, Asian, African cuisine. We use the best from everywhere.’ This is reflected in a surprise menu, where you can choose from three to six courses. There is a fish/meat menu and a fully vegetarian or vegan menu. ‘Demand for that is growing enormously. You can no longer get away with something that has been hastily thrown together,’ he emphasizes.
An evening at ‘t Koetshuys, for example, begins with a sea bass tartare with amanatsu gel, followed by an intermediate course of leek and nori with miso foam and toasted macadamia nuts. The main course? A beef steak with Bordelaise sauce, grilled celeriac, and truffle potato. And to finish, a dessert of mandarin sorbet with chocolate crumble and beetroot gel. ‘The menu changes regularly, and we always match the wines and craft beers to it,’ says Markus. He himself is crazy about champagne, and wines from Alsace are his personal preference.
Sustainability plays an increasingly important role at ‘t Koetshuys. ‘We try to minimize waste and work with local products wherever possible,’ he explains. However, this is not always easy. ‘Sometimes it is very difficult to explain to the guest that a piece of meat from New Zealand is much cheaper than a piece of meat from the local area. But we do what we can, such as sourcing asparagus and strawberries from Noordbroek during the season.’
Despite its high standards, ‘t Koetshuys deliberately remains accessible. ‘I want to stay approachable for everyone. That is why you see students, dual-income couples, and retirees in our establishment. That creates a special atmosphere,’ says Markus. ‘I want my guests to come in here without any barriers, but leave with an experience they hadn’t expected.’
For more information, see koetshuysgroningen.nl.
