Restaurant & Bar Diga

My wife and I come here several times a year since we live in Haarlem (2019). We usually ordered the chef's 4-course surprise menu. I have a gluten allergy and my wife is vegan. For years we have been surprising with great dishes, incredible sauces and unprecedented creativity for the price. Our visit on 5/15 was a big disappointment. There is a new chef and everything that made Diga special for us in terms of food has disappeared. This was 100% definitely our last visit. The old chef turns out to work around the corner at Dodici. We'll try there soon.

Given the good reviews, we ate at Diga with 4 people with great anticipation. The restaurant looks cozy and they still have an old energy contract; thermostat was set to 25 degrees. That was also a problem with the white wine (part of the wine arrangement with the starter) that was served before the amuse. When the matching starter arrived 45 minutes (!) later, the wine had become far too warm. It remained that way for the rest of the evening; serving wine and then waiting half an hour for the accompanying food. We had to share the appetizer (cold pizza doughnut); We got 2 appetizers with 3 people. We also noticed (the restaurant was 90% full) that none of the guests had food on the table at 8:00 PM. Then another gluten-free course was changed and the waitresses were fumbling with the explanation of dishes and wines. ('there is a new menu' was the excuse) The main course of the surprise menu was venison steak with stewed pears; Well... I could have eaten that at home and the question remains whether this belongs on a new menu. Conclusion; too expensive (price/quality), not competent staff (but friendly) and long wait for food, there are much better restaurants in Haarlem and the surrounding area. Just take that Michelin plate off the facade.