Nick Vollebregt | Jazzy Bar | Bistronomie | Terras — Restaurant in Laren

Just happened to stumble across this site and couldn't resist the urge to relive some of my fondest memories of one of my favorite places in the world. I've often wondered if Nick Vollebregt's is still around. For the sake of the arts, music and community, I sure hope so.

According to legend, Nick Vollebregt was huge jazz enthusiast. Supposedly, throughout the early sixties and up through the early to mid-seventies, he brought in the top names in jazz. Miles, the MJQ, Hubbard, Peterson, Blakey and the Messengers, Coleman, Hancock and more. By the time I first visited in Nick Vollebregt's Jazz Cafe' 1984, posters bearing those names were still all over the walls announcing their appearances. But I wasn't to see any of those acts because the old man nearly went bankrupt paying those acts from a very small venue. When Nick died the cafe was deeply in debt and his son refused to let his father's dream die as well. He could no longer afford the big names, but he brought in the best musicians he could afford, expanded the menu and kept the place afloat. I'd bet the Skymasters were equally instrumental (no pun intended) in keeping the cafe packed. When I arrived in the mid-eighties, the place was being run by Nick's widowed daugher-in-law (I don't recall her name) and her son, Nick's grandson. Ashamedly, I don't recall his name either, but I fondly recall that he was as pleasant and decent a young man (in his early twenties at the time) as I'd ever met. The two of them had the place back on it's feet, and Nick's was thriving.The process of being resurrected was complete and like the phoenix, the cafe spread it's wings and was ready to fly.

For the 2-3 years I lived in Laren, Nick's was THE place to go to for live jazz with a local, homes-y feel. Sunday afternoons were my favorite times as the DJ played everything from fifties and sixties straight ahead mainstream, to current pop jazz artist like Candi Dulfer and Randi Crawford. (Both of whom I believe were at that time residing in nearby Hilversum.) But the jewel in the Nick Vollebregt Jazz Cafe crown was The Skymasters. They made monthly appearances and I made it a point to see them every time they appeared. That cafe was one of the main factors in making me feel so at home while so far away from home. My only child, my son, was born at a hospital in Utrecht in 1986 and we all left there in '87. On a return visit to the Netherlands in the late '90s, I made an attempt to visit on a Saturday afternoon and the cafe was closed. My son wasn't old enough at that time to sit down and have a glass of beer with me anyway, so I wasn't as heart broken as I could have been. I think it must have been during that two week period when everything in Holland (Europe) is closed for vacation. From the outside, it was clear the establishment was still up and running and entertaining a new generation of Dutch jazz enthusiasts. With luck, we'll make the trip again, and now that my Dutch-born son is of age, we can both enjoy a glass or two of beer while reconnecting with the grandson of the legendary...

Nick Vollebregt een authentieke Franse keuken. Zo gek als ik op de Franse keuken ben, zo hoog waren mijn verwachtingen om hier te eten.

De eerste indruk bij binnenkomst een leuke ambiance en vriendelijke bediening. Vervolgens kwam de menukaart. Deze zag er in eerste instantie goed uit al begreep ik niet wat een loempia eend met hoisinsaus een yakitori, vitello Tonnato en zo nog wat dingen op een Franse kaart te zoeken hebben.

Als voorgerecht nam ik de salade Nicoise. Deze was met de verse tonijn en de aangepaste inhoud anders dan de klassieker maar heb behalve de ansjovis hier weinig op aan te merken.

Daarna kwam het hoofdgerecht lauwwarme ossenhaas (heerlijk mals) met de eendenlever. Qua hoeveelheid niets op aan te merken. Alleen de manier waarop dit wordt gepresenteerd (niet aantrekkelijk) en helaas de manier van bereiden zorgde ervoor dat je na een paar happen eigenlijk snel vol zat en toch wat misselijk werd. Je miste (behalve bakje friet en bakje bonen en sugersnaps, deze helaas ook nog vol draden als bijgerecht) toch iets anders verfrissends. Het was niet in balans.

Ik heb even moeten nadenken of ik hier iets zou plaatsen. Maar door de (te) hoge verwachtingen die ook geschept worden door vele reviews. Kan het soms geen kwaad om gewoon weer even op scherp gesteld te worden.

Resumé … Authentiek Frans is het niet, Franse gerechten in een nieuw jasje is ook goed, maar Italiaans of Aziatisch er tussen … Smaken en/of bereiding beter in balans Ik ben bereid om geld neer te leggen voor goede kwaliteit eten gecombineerd met een mooie en goede bereiding hiervan; maar een langoustine die 6 euro kost. Een muizenhap …… het had dan wel heel bijzonder moeten...

Such a special place! a truly beautiful courtyard, attentive and charming service, and a very unique setting. We went for a special occasion and it was perfect - I am vegetarian and there's not a whole lot on the menu that's veggie but that didn't matter, the staff made sure the chefs created something unique for me, which was delicious and an example of their attitude. Worth making the trip out to Laren / Blaricum for! Plus it's positioned just opposite the contemporary art gallery so you can enjoy an artsy afternoon then pop in for...