UG student Natalie Voo knows everything about food: she comes from the culinary melting pot of Malaysia and is also the daughter of a restaurateur. Every other week she will review Groningen’s student-friendly catering industry. Episode 1: Talk of the Town.
Calling your restaurant ‘Talk of the Town’, abbreviated to TOTT, is a bold move. So I – someone who lives to eat – went to this Asian-inspired restaurant to see if my hubris is justified.
The restaurant itself was cozy and simply decorated; the kind of place that gets a nod of approval, but that you wouldn’t be quick to post on Instagram. Our culinary adventure started with vegetarian gyozas whose filling seemed to have sworn an oath of tastelessness, but were saved by the sauce that had clearly claimed all the salt on the plate. The fried onions added a nice crunch that took this dish from meh to mmm.
The main course was a spicy chicken satay that even a toddler would not find too hot, and which, as an advanced pepper connoisseur, was not impressed. But my Dutch table companion thought differently about this, which once again proves that spiciness is relative. The satay itself was juicy, sweet-salty and perfectly grilled. The satay sauce, often a disappointment, was delicious regardless of the lack of spice: a good addition to the meat.
No real attention seemed to have been paid to the salad we received as a side dish; it seemed as if they had simply bought all the green food that was in the bonus that week at the Appie. But the pickled cucumber really stood out, nice and fresh next to the saltiness of the satay. The prawn crackers were a crunchy bonus that created a symphony of textures on the plate. Nothing to complain about the service: it was friendly and efficient.
Although it was quite a culinary rollercoaster at TOTT, my dining companion and I agreed on the final verdict: it was nice to be here once, a tick on the culinary checklist, but not a place we would return to as soon as possible want to turn. TOTT, in the world of culinary love affairs you were a freewheeler – quite memorable, but not someone you would introduce to your parents.
TOTT (Talk of the Town), Schuitendiep 48
The cuisine is inspired by Asia, with an emphasis on Indonesian satay. A great place for a snack and a drink with friends. The menu includes meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.
Final verdict
Food: 6.5/10
Presentation: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
English
