Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 4211848
Description: The is a great little restaurant, and we actually returned to it on a second occasion rather than risk disappointment at another establishment. The menu lists a moderate number of dishes and local fair is used. The dishes are just off the traditional track, but stop well before reaching too trendy. The wait staff was exceptionally friendly, and well tolerant of a 6 month old, although we are always careful not to disturb fellow patrons.
We were thus able to try a handful of dishes. A starter of white asparagus with chive sauce and poached egg was excellent the first night, as we caught the tail end of the local season. The second night I had a delightful herring with beets and a vodka jelly, while my comrade-in-forks was exceptionally pleased with the cold lentil soup, which was a new take on gazpacho with a little island of diced tomato and cucumber topped with raita floating in the centre. For the main, I reprised a variation on beef, which was done to tender perfection and accompanied by tasty vegetables on both occasions. My fellow diner had a succulent guinea fowl with raison-wine sauce and a creative but not off the wall poppy-seed croquette accompaniment. Dessert for me was a delicious chocolate mousse, while the rhubarb cake was good.
As noted, the staff were patient regarding gluten inquiries, and they were wonderfully friendly without being overly intrusive. The restaurant itself is in an old building (an unremarkable fact in Amsterdam) with plenty of beautiful wood and a warm, homey, intimate feel. We debated whether this restaurant was 'just' excellent or was outstanding, but the consensus was that anything short of outstanding would be unfair. If you are in Amsterdam, eat at Proeverij 274.
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