Feelgoodbox, Rotterdam’s 5-course home menu
A new initiative was recently launched in Rotterdam; the Feelgoodbox.
This box can be ordered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and contains a 5-course menu, consisting of 7 small dishes. You will also receive a gift box worth €50 with various products from local shopkeepers in Rotterdam’s Oude Noorden district.
Where did this box suddenly come from? And who are the initiators?
The box was developed and created by the two Rotterdam restaurant owners, Reinbert Steep of Destino and Marcel Jonkman of Brasserie Uit ‘t Zuiden. We would like to introduce them to you.
Brasserie Uit ‘t Zuiden
Marcel Jonkman has been the owner of Brasserie Uit ‘t Zuiden since 2018. Marcel is originally from Haarlem, but love brought him to Rotterdam. Marcel used to work in business, for which he traveled a lot. ‘Through the many travels my love for food and cooking started. And so did the dream of starting the Brasserie. I drove past the vacant property at Noordsingel 121, and fell in love with it. I immediately took the plunge and called the landlord. Two weeks later I was painting and Brasserie Uit `t Zuiden became a reality
Destino
Tapas Restaurant Destino on the Zaagmolenkade has been a household name in Rotterdam for years. In 2019, owner Reinbert took over the restaurant. Reinbert was once a teacher, but at some point chose to retrain as a chef. This is also how he ended up in the kitchen at Destino five years ago. “I really wanted to learn how to cook. Besides, I really enjoy seeing how people, like me, can enjoy the food at Destino.’
Reinbert is a Rotterdammer at heart. ‘What makes me a Rotterdammer? It’s a feeling! I am proud of our beautiful city when, for example, I drive into town over the Maasboulevard. You then look out over the river with its bridges, the Noordereiland and on both banks the impressive buildings. Magnificent. The Rotterdam language also makes my heart beat faster.’
That’s how much he loves his city, its inhabitants and entrepreneurs. This is how the idea of the feelgoodbox came about and the initiative to involve more Rotterdam businesses in it.
The creation of the feelgood box
The corona crisis forced both Destino and Uit ‘t Zuiden to close their doors. Both restaurants are committed to pampering their guests. They do this with tasty dishes from fresh products, being a host, creating a nice ambiance and as a reward receiving a smile from their guests. A takeaway/delivery service is, as far as the gentlemen are concerned, a totally different business where you can’t be the host they want and with which you can’t give the ambiance as you do in the business.
Destino and Brasserie from the South can both be found in the Old North a stone’s throw from each other, so Marcel and Reinbert were acquaintances even before the corona crisis. ‘There are really many, really nice restaurants in the neighborhood that as far as I’m concerned are not inferior to the establishments on the Witte De Withstraat. I want to create awareness that if you want really nice food, you have to be in the Oude Noorden.’ Says Reinbert
The men had exchanged ideas with each other before the corona crisis to do something with each other or even other restaurants from the Old North. Now that the doors of all the restaurants had to close, the men came up with a concept that would still allow them to enjoy and treat their guests to a smile. Thus the feelgoodbox.nl was born ; a Feelgoodbox with a 5-course dinner, with a free gift box containing various products from local entrepreneurs.
Restaurant Destino & Brasserie Uit `t Zuiden are the initiators and work together with sponsors. These include Brouwerij Noordt, Wildhandel Treuren, Giraffe Coffee, Olala Chocola, IJssalon Koen, Smaak Mag magazine, Mamaloves and Chateautjes.
Pamper yourself with the Feelgoodbox
The Feelgoodbox is a 5-course meal box for at least two people. “The box consists of 7 dishes including 2 starters, 3 mains and 2 desserts, both prepared by us When ordering the box, guests receive a feelgood gift box worth €50 with gifts made available by suppliers of both restaurants, local entrepreneurs and online partners. ‘This includes a bunch of flowers, a magazine, a bottle of prosecco and sweets. We are not going to give everything away, because after all, they are gifts.’
‘Our goal is not only to spoil people with a nice meal, but also to treat them to a smile. The idea is for people to feel spoiled, a bit the feeling of unwrapping a Christmas package. We are launching our initiative with 100 boxes on the weekend of May 7, 8 and 9, and we hope it will be successful Order your feelgoodbox now via feelgoodbox.nl.
Are there any companies that would like to raise awareness of their product? Contact the gentlemen via the site www.feelgoodbox.nl and leave your details. They will then contact you directly. The Feelgoodbox has a Limited Edition so when ordering one should not wait too long.
