How FRANK helps Michelin-starred restaurant De Kromme Watergang ensure no important detail is ever overlooked
Running a Michelin-starred restaurant requires attention to every detail. It requires a reservation system that ensures important guest information is never lost.
overview
all important guest information
in one place
guest-friendly
a seamless guest journey,
from reservation to gift voucher.
built together
restaurant feedback shapes
the platform
Type: Michelin ★
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Switched from: Zenchef
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Location: Hoofdplaat
For more than thirty years, Restaurant De Kromme Watergang has been one of the culinary icons of the Netherlands.
Founded by Edwin and Blanche Vinke and now led by the next generation, the family-run restaurant has become known for its refined gastronomy, local ingredients and deeply personal approach to hospitality. With its own vegetable garden across the road, close relationships with Zeeland's fishermen and farmers, and a Michelin star under chef Tom Vinke, every detail is carefully considered.
That attention to detail doesn't stop in the kitchen. Behind the scenes, every service relies on equally precise organisation. Because when you're welcoming guests at this level, overlooking an allergy, missing a guest note or creating unnecessary friction simply isn't an option.
For Evie Vinke, who oversees the restaurant's operations, that's exactly where FRANK makes the difference.
Great hospitality starts long before the first guests arrive
Guests only experience a few hours at the table. For the team, however, great hospitality starts long before service begins.
Every day starts with a clear overview of reservations, table assignments, allergies and special requests. Before every service, the reservation list is printed, giving the team a complete overview of table assignments, allergies and guest notes before the first guests arrive.
For Evie, that overview is one of the most valuable parts of the system.
"If there's one feature I wouldn't want to lose, it's the overview. We can immediately see every allergy and every note. At our level, you simply can't afford to miss something like that. It helps us deliver a better guest experience."
Simplicity matters for guests, too
While the operational overview is essential behind the scenes, Evie believes the reservation experience should feel just as effortless for guests.
Whether someone books a table online or purchases a gift card, everything should be intuitive and easy to navigate.
Gift cards are sold both through the website and in the restaurant, with roughly half of all sales happening online.
"We actually prefer guests to buy gift cards through the website because everything is automatically linked to the reservation. It keeps everything organised, both for us and for our guests."
Building the platform together
When De Kromme Watergang moved from their previous system, the migration itself required virtually no effort from the team.
"The migration was fantastic. We hardly had to do anything ourselves. Everything was arranged for us and it was all up and running in no time."
But what impressed Evie even more came afterwards.
Like every growing platform, FRANK didn't have every feature from day one. Instead of waiting months for changes, the team was encouraged to share feedback directly. Many of those suggestions have since become part of the platform.
"That's what I really appreciate. We could simply email our ideas, and I think at least half of them have already been added. It's nice to work with a company that genuinely listens to what restaurants need."
Rather than feeling like just another customer, De Kromme Watergang became part of the platform's development.
When something works, don't change it
It's easy to be impressed during a demo.
The real test comes months later, when a system has become part of your daily operation.
For Evie, that's where FRANK continues to stand out.
"People ask us why we chose FRANK. For us, it's simple. It's clear, it's easy for everyone to work with and it just works. Even colleagues who aren't particularly technical can use it without any problems. When something works, don’t change it."
At De Kromme Watergang, every detail contributes to the guest experience. Knowing every reservation is organised before service begins allows the team to give their full attention to the hospitality they're known for.