3.5 stars
I have very mixed feelings about this place. It's cozy (almost a little too cozy--but that happens in this city) and the staff was friendly. The location can't really be beat, and I'm sure in the summer they will be bursting with tables on a terrace which is great for people watching.
*Seating*
We were three people and put at a square table that made 3 people possible if all items were cleared as they were finished. It was a little hard to have 3 drinks and our 4 small dishes on the table. And it was in front of the door. On a cold and rainy night, this wasn't nice.
*Food*
I was quite happy with the food. Between the three of us, we got to taste quite a few dishes. The menu isn't huge, but I don't like big menus. Do something, and do it well...don't try to do everything! It was hard enough to choose from this menu!
The Waygu burger (which is slider size) was on point. Very tasty and cooked well. Ceviche was quite tasty as well as beautiful. I love the citrus flavor on the fish. oh so good! The tortilla was one tortilla with beef tips tomato salsa, avocado, and jalapeno. The straw fries are basically shredded chips and slightly awkward to eat--but tasty. The Creme Catalana was very tasty and similar to a Creme Brulee--but quite shallow which was surprising. This place knows their flavors!
*Drinks*
They like their champagne...a lot and the drink menu is bigger than the food menu. You can get some tradition cocktails, cocktails made with beer, or cocktails made with champagne. I got the Tree of Life which was very delicious, but served in a champagne flute (read: small) and on the higher end of the acceptable price scale for a cocktail in my opinion. There is also a beer and wine list along with, of course, a nice champagne list!
*Service*
Everyone seemed quite pleasant after we were seated. The place is very odd and has quite the quirkiness. It's a place that serves street food type food in paper containers but in an upper scale ambiance and they are kind of a champagne bar...what?! How does that work? So, it looked like a place someone would actually seat you once you mentioned you'd like a table, but they basically said that there were two to choose from and we sat ourselves. This is not unusual for Amsterdam, it just seemed like a place that would be a step up. The girls who served us were extremely attentive most of the night until we were ready to leave. Then it took a while to get their attention. When we wanted to pay, we ended up having to go to the bar since needed to leave. It's just the little things, you know?
*Prices*
I think the cocktails are a little too high for what you get. The food is on small plates, so keep that in mind. I'm mostly ok with the food prices, but are a little high for the portion. The straw fries are not worth paying that price for though. Sorry, but no.
*Overall*
Nice atmosphere, and maybe a nice after-work spot to grab a bite to eat before going shopping or to a movie. read more