Bistrobar Bankoh — Restaurant in Nijmegen

This review is based on visiting Bistrobar Bankoh with a group of three people in the second week after it's official opening.

Seating: We were seated at the window looking out at the Waal, this ensures for a beautiful view on the many boats that sail by. We sat here in the winter and thus it was dark early. I am sure this seating offers an even better view in the summer on the Ossenwaard (a tiny island between the Waal and the Spiegelwaal).

Food: We started of with one of the cocktails, they offer a variety of gin tonics and other well known cocktails, some with a bit of an asian twist. I can definitely recommend this as a aperitif. Together with this we received home-made kroepoek with a creamy and well-balanced peanut-sauce.

The recommended way to approach the menu here (if you don't go for the 'rijsttafel') is to have one starter and follow with two main dishes per person. Then share these dishes together. We thought this could pose a slight problem, as one of our guests had an allergy to garlic and onions. That is a bit risky if you go to a place that prepares oriental style dishes. Regardless, the restaurant was able to cope with this and even the specifically adjusted dishes tasted excellent.

For starter dishes we had the 'Taco Ayam Bali', 'Loempia Bebek', and the 'Fishcakes'. The taco featured a well-brought-together set of flavours, the Loempia may be one of the I have had and the fish cakes were full of flavoured and matched well with the homemade chilli sauce. Sadly it took a bit of time before we could order the Sake that we expected would pair well with these starters. The Sake was great and indeed paired well, but arrived half-way at the end of finishing the starters.

We split the main course to two rounds of three dishes. As we were advised to do so by the personnel to appreciate each dish better. All dishes were beautifully prepared and looked like a piece of art. We had a few dishes but I especially want to mention the Sateh dish (I loved the Kambing!). I also extensively enjoyed 'Beef Tataki' and highly recommend that dish. We did not try a dessert a nor did we get the chance to taste every dish, I am sure to come back here and try the rest.

Costs: This place is a bit more pricey than your every other restaurant. The dishes do make this place worth it! We payed 70 euros each and that included a tip of about 6 euros (Tips are not obligatory in The Netherlands). I do need to say here that the cocktails and bottle of wine made up for the majority of the price and if you are looking for just dining and drinks I would expect you would end up in the 35-50 euro range.

Ambiance: The inside was beautifully decorated. The kitchen is located in the middle of the restaurant for all guests to see. The overall decoration was trendy but still in style with oriental/Asian influences. I cannot say anything yet regarding the outdoor seating.

Hospitality: The hospitality overall was excellent! Definitely a showing that the personnel was well trained and experienced in offering a great dining experience (even in the second week). The staff was highly knowledgeable regarding food pairing with wine/sake/cocktails and knew the available dishes inside out. They were versed quite well in English. Slight remark; we would have enjoyed a pairing drink with the starter, but sadly the staff presented the dishes and forgot to ask if we would like to have a drink with the starters.

Beer menu: Sadly, the effort they put in the wine and cocktails is not repeated for the beer. Here you can find your every day lager, some weizen en bock beers. This is a missed opportunity, as I am sure there are many food-pairings to be made with the oriental flavours and one of the many herbal- or sour-style ales brewed by Oersoep or Nevel, which are located only 500 meters from this restaurant. No local brews either. I recommend just going for the recommended wines here, with respect to the dish you...

Arrived with a group of 8 6 minutes too early. Our table wasn't ready, so after giving our coats we're asked to wait outside. Had to ask our coats back. After 10 minutes we were allowed to come back in. Very crowded, but we got a nice table with great views. Nice menu and very friendly staff. The starters didn't come at the same time, but that wasn't too bad. But the main dish we ordered was horrendous. Very small portions and mine was luke warm. But it was very busy, and I understand that that can happen. Luckily we'd ordered side dishes with rice and noodles so at least we had something to eat. But to our surprise they didn't arrive. After waiting a few minutes we tried to signal a waitress, but no one reacted. Had to walk to the bar and ask about the side dishes. They'd forgotten them. Sorry sorry sorry. After 10 minutes the most horrible rice I've ever eaten arrived. Mixed with my, in the meanwhile, really cold fish it wasn't too bad. But I've had warmer meals at McDonald's. Lovely restaurant and setting, great friendly staff. But I think there are too many tables and the kitchen can't keep up. We've eaten there before when they had just opend and it was a lot better. Oh, we didn't have to pay for the rice and...

Had a wonderful evening at Bankoh! It's not the cheapest place in the city, but it's original and the food is great! We especially enjoyed the dumpling starters and the steak tartare, salmon and lamb for our main course. For dessert we had the black rice pudding with pandan icecream and mango coulis, which was amazing! The soft shell crab was a little bit meh, but that was the only small letdown of the evening. The people working there were very attentive and professional. They knew when they had to come by your table, not too early or late.

Starters are around €7,50 each (3 dumplings) and main courses are €11 each. At the end of the evening our bill was a little under €150 (2 people) but we left satisfied and without any room left for latenight snacks. Normally dar outside my budget, it helps if your dad picks up the check ;)

Definitely a place I would recommend if you're looking for something different...