From concept to charcoal-fired reality, Satay Club brings the streets of Java to Amsterdam

About Satay Club

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From the streets of Jakarta to the streets of Amsterdam. Valentijn and Ezra have brought authentic Javanese satay to a beautiful new spot on Haarlemmerstraat. What started as casual brainstorming about food concepts soon turned into a serious adventure. When Ezra put the idea of doing something with satay on the table, the decision was made instantly.

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They spent a month in Java, where a chef friend taught them everything about satay and its authentic preparation. That same chef is now their culinary advisor.

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NinetyNine was responsible for the interior design: a collaboration that Valentijn thoroughly enjoyed. Owner Jeroen offered great advice and guided them through the project. Jeroen suggested three production partners, including Cutr. Valentijn: “I spoke with all three, but Cutr was the most affordable, which was great for a startup. The platform looked solid, and the conversations went smoothly, so the choice was easy.”

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The Challenge

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The restaurant concept was clear: real satay, just like on the streets of Java, grilled over charcoal with authentic marinades. Ninetynine translated this vision perfectly into the interior. Charcoal is the literal and figurative heart of the space, from the use of black, red, and grey tones, reflecting the colours of glowing charcoal, to large stone elements and natural materials. The vibe is raw, balanced with vibrant greenery and warm accents. The space captures the Indonesian roots of the concept beautifully, complete with a stunning mural as a centrepiece.

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Like many renovations, this project wasn’t without its bumps. There were delays with the contractor, but overall, the collaboration ran very smoothly. “Cutr stayed totally relaxed, and the interior builder Henk, owner of Cutr’s production partner Decosier, was great to work with. It really gave us confidence that everything would turn out well.”

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The Solution

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The moment work started on site was the team’s favourite part of the project. “That’s when the place really started to come alive,” says Valentijn. Up until then, everything was still in a rough construction phase and felt a bit soulless. Once Cutr and the interior builder arrived, the space began to take on the atmosphere and style they had envisioned.

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A special shout-out goes to Henk, who came to work on site himself. “An absolute legend. Always in a good mood, collaborative with the builders, and super easy to work with. Not once did he complain.

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The Future

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About the collaboration with Cutr, Valentijn answered without hesitation: “A solid 5 out of 5.” Henk’s flexibility on site and Rose’s communication from Cutr really stood out. “She organised everything so quickly, even when we needed last-minute items. For example, we needed a bar sample for a photoshoot, and it was sorted immediately. In those high-pressure moments leading up to the opening, it was such a relief to be able to count on Cutr.”

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Would they work with Cutr again? Absolutely. They already plan to collaborate again on their next project. A clear sign of the trust and strong relationship that has grown from this first collaboration.

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Production Partner Decosier

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Gerrit, Henk and the team at Decosier have been working with Cutr since 2024 and have delivered 14 successful projects together in the space of a year. The team are specialists in custom cabinetry and furniture. 

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