Bruis Haarlem: Delicious Food, Cramped Setting

After countless enthusiastic recommendations from foodie friends, I had high hopes for an evening at Bruis in Haarlem. With a name that promises a bit of sparkle and buzz, I was curious to see if the experience would live up to it.

The menu grabbed my attention right away — in both good and slightly confusing ways. A definite highlight: the presence of Foie Gras, a classic that belongs on any proper French brasserie menu. It was beautifully prepared and didn’t disappoint. Less appealing, though, was the fixed-price menu loaded with a tangle of supplements. It quickly became hard to keep track of what you were actually paying for. A clearer à la carte option would have been far more enjoyable.

As for the food itself — no complaints. Each dish was full of flavour and clearly crafted with care. Credit also goes to the staff, who were friendly and attentive throughout the evening.

Unfortunately, these positives were somewhat overshadowed by the lack of comfort. The chairs weren’t exactly inviting, and the tables were packed so closely together that private conversations were out of the question — I caught every word from the table next to me without even trying.

All in all, Bruis serves up great food with all the right intentions. But the tight, uncomfortable setting means I probably won’t be rushing back any time soon.