APOTHEOSIS NOW

[BIZ: Maastricht, September 15]
Camille Oostwegel relates that, after the fire at the St Servatius Basilica in the 1950s, he was walking with his ‘bonpa’ (grandfather) and passed the Crutched Friars Church (Kruisherenkerk) in the heart of Maastricht. When he asked about this church and whether such a disaster could befall it, his grandfather explained that, although it had been a church for the friars who wore red and white crosses, it was now a government station, where some scientific experiments were carried out. Camille decided that it would be much safer if it were restored to the Crutched Friars.

Today the Church of the Crutched Friars has been restored to more than its former glory as a hostelry for travelers and a place of study - where the friars would copy out documents. It has now become a five star flagship in Maastricht for Camille Oostwegel Châteauhotels & Restaurants - six hotels and two starred restaurants. The link below will show it in all its magnificence. A recent article on the Proxi-Liège website (http://www.proxiliege.net) also gives a full background on the development of the Oostwegel empire.

After what was called ‘a five star mass’ - by Maastricht personality Jan Hoen - which had concluded with a rousing rendition of the 'Hallelujah Chorus' from Handel’s Messiah, visitors to the opening day were able to hear the story of the new EUR 15m development from those of the great and good, who had been privy to it. What was most astounding was the fact that the development organizations had found it difficult to make a substantial contribution to the projects. One would have thought that they would have fallen on their knees before this monument to entrepreneurial acumen.

Go and see it yourself. Lunch in the vaulted nave, or sample the delicacies in the wine bar. Examples of which are given below. Take a look in the bedrooms where all of the arts are represented, and look at the conference rooms too. Don’t forget to check with the new boss, Sita Tadema, first, and let Tom van Dessel, the excellent sommelier, advise you. Here is the advice he recently gave at a meeting of Fr*EU*ndship.

Sauvignon Blanc
Waterford estate 2003
Stellenbosch, South Africa
With lobster salad

Grüner Veltliner 2003
Ott
Donauland Austria
With cod with oyster sauce

Saint Romain 2002
Côte d'Or France
Domaine Henri et Gilles Buisson
With baked scallop on caramelized endive (witlof) with truffle

Grenache 1999
Classic Mc Laren
Mc Laren Vale Australia
With Rack of sucking pig on a bed of warm Sauerkraut with a gin jus

Zibbibo
Sicily
With Strawberry with chocolate mousse and crème brûlée.
SW
http://www.kruisherenhotel.com/