In the Netherlands the Christian Church is slowly becoming defunct. Many churches could not sustain their operations anymore due to a lack of followers. There is surely a shift in beliefs in North Western Europe. People have become more comfortable in their skin and do not rely on faith-based organisations for comfort and guidance. Because of this many churches have closed down, sold to private individuals and corporations, and are remodelled into offices, homes, art galleries, bookstores, concert halls, hotels and restaurants.
I have for example stayed in a church hotel in Belgium. I have visited 2 church bookstores in the Netherlands. My previous employer had a branch office that was once a church. I have been to several art galleries held inside a church.
In Zwolle, Bru and I ate inside a church, at the Bethlemenkerk (Bethlehem Church) which is one of the oldest buildings in Zwolle dating back to 1309.
The Blue Sakura Japanese Sushi and Grill is a Japanese Eat-All-You-Can-Restaurant in Zwolle that is housed in a big old church converted into a big restaurant. Isn’t that just cool? And unique as well. Erm, a good excuse to go to church, right?
What more, ordering your food here is so high technology. You order your food via a tablet which has pictures of all the dishes. It is like online shopping. You just click on the picture and indicate how many you want and press order.
The concept is eat all you can for an X number of hours, drinks not included. Lunch is 2 hours and dinner is 2.5 hours. The rules are different for lunch and dinner. Each person is allowed up to an X number of dishes per round (8 per person for lunch and 5 per person for dinner). You must finish all your food before you order for the next round otherwise you will have to pay extra.
Basically, you can have as many rounds you want within the 2.5 hours period. Nothing to worry about turn around times as they serve the food really fast. Bru and I however chose to enjoy our late lunch slow. You know, we are ladies, and ladies so shall we behave. Because we ate a bit late the restaurant wasn’t that busy anymore. In the evenings it gets busy here I believe.
Good food. Cool ambiance. Historical setting. Highly recommended to try this restaurant for lunch or dinner if you ever come to Zwolle.
Travel Period: January 2015
Destination: Zwolle (Overijssel), Netherlands
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