We tasted our first groupon experience here. Not so good…read more Cheese fondue for two. A big basket of bread and a small bow of vegetables(cucumber, celery, carrot, and cauliflower). We felt like some meat, so we ordered pork. Guess it is not the standard thing you eat with cheese fondue, but everyone has their first time, what do we know. It is the first time we have eaten cheese fondue. There was quite a lot customers that night. Don't know if its because of the Groupon deals. From we could tell there is only one chef. Oh poor guy. We couldn't even be mad at him, when we waited almost two hours to get our pork. Maybe less than that, but I lost track of time. I only know when it arrived, the fondue was already dry and burnt at the bottom. We ordered two glass of wine and one porksteak(only the steak, without any side dishes, because we somehow have the idea we could cut meat pieces and dip them in fondue). The price forr that was more than the Groupon we paid. Would not come back for a full price meal.

De Bicker reminds me of a place that during a process of gentrification, got left behind…read more The spareribs are slow-cooked and tasty but inconsistent. It was succulent and fall-off-the-bone when I first had them but the last few times they were dry and tasted like they've been sitting around for awhile. The mixed salad is delicious, saucy with a refreshing assortment of veggies that you can really stab into with your fork. Kinda hit-and-miss with this place.

It was so quiet when we walked in, I first thought it was empty. There were quiet a few tables…read moretaken, but it became clear why everyone was so quiet: fear of the maitree d'h. The man is beyond arrogant. He reprimands me after asking if we wanted an appetizer we were sharing on one plate or2 separate plates. I said one was fine and he proceeded to give me a 10 minute reprimand on how vulgar that is. I ordered Dover sole. It was horrible. I returned it and was offered a new piece. I got the same piece on a different plate. I was asked if I wanted a different entree but at this point the others at my table were finished with their entrees, so I declined and ordered dessert instead. During the (very tasty!) dessert the chef came to talk to me. I was over it by this point and didn't want to ruin more of the dinner talking about bad fish. At first he tells me I was wrong in my assessment of the sole. I describe the fish again and he then explains that what I am describing happens when fish is not as recently dead as it should be when arriving at the restaurant. He tells me there is no way to tell by the way a fish looks, but you can tell with consistency and taste. Ok! Well that's settled then: my fish had been dead too long. Now we know I was right, the fish was not. It still ended up on the bill €35 for fish that the chef said was no good. Never again!!

This is my second time at the Oliver's and for the resident who lives nearby, I must admit that…read morethis place has a solid lunch and dinner offerings at the affordable price. I have tried: Fish salad (amazing!!!), chicken salad (was good) and the burger (very flavourful! loved it!) about $15 per person if one of you decides to have a glass of wine with the lunch. To be honest this is my favorite place in this neighborhood...

Would it be too corny to say: Oliver's, Olive-you now?…read more The way to my little yelpey heart is: 1) food 2) at least pretending you care about what I think 3) good service. Happy to say that after an initial disappointment with what I found to be an overpriced salad, Oliver's has redeemed itself! As per my earlier review, I began the night drinking with colleagues, unsponsored by work, unfortunately. It was pointed out that the beer prices are actually very reasonable (I don't notice if work is paying...). The service was prompt and friendly - no easy feat in Amsterdam! Rare were the moments when our glasses went dry or our mouths were left without crunchy, deep-fried goodness. My boyfriend and I stayed for dinner and each had the ribeye steak. The chef kindly accommodated my weird request to have polenta with my steak instead of fries and wow was I glad he did! The steak was good quality and served with a variety of veg. It could have done with a tad more seasoning or more of the red wine jus it came with, but overall, delightful. The polenta was amazing! It is fried, so no health points here but the crispy outside with a creamy centre - I think there was a hint of parmasan in there - was divine. Later in the meal, the chef got creative with dessert, giving me both white and dark chocolate cake. What more could a girl ask for? I'm glad I gave Oliver's a second chance. We had a great conversation with the manager Halpert after our meal and it's clear that Oliver's and Co. take customer service very seriously. I will gleefully drink AND eat here to excess in future. :)

Conveniently located next to the Hotel de Hallen, my colleague and I had dinner here a couple times…read moreduring our stay in Amsterdam. The prices are certainly acceptable, as well as being proportional to each meal type. The staff here was very attentive and hospitable, tending well to all customers during the nights that we were there (and it could get quite bustling). I was a bit entertained during dinner one night when I casually asked if they could make a mimosa (it doesn't seem that they have a formal drink menu) and our server herself was very confused. As I was explaining to her that it's usually just a mix of orange juice and sparkling white wine, the woman who was tending bar that night walked by. Our server asked if she could make a mimosa and she said "Oh, yeah! Certainly." She smiled and back to tend the bar area quickly, and the server soon was back to the table with a mimosa. Tasty drink, even if served with a massive straw (the first time I've had that happen). Haha. Anyway, the food was consistently cooked well and the atmosphere of the place is certainly enjoyable. A previous reviewer mentioned that their cutlery was presented in paper bags, but that's not anything I experienced during my recent visits. When my oysters (first visit) were served, they came with a small spoon and fork...so it seems that issue has also been tended to. If nothing else, I enjoyed my experiences (and the convenience) at the Brasserie Halte 3. If I was ever back in Amsterdam, I'd certainly enjoy a visit to this restaurant again.

Unfortunately the food inferior for the decor: sometimes out of balance (Parmesan on a salted…read moresteak) but not very expensive. Cutlery is presented in paper bags, something I've only seen in cheap restaurants. We had to ask for a fork to eat our oysters, and the menu design is horrible. Staff does not seem to be the brightest either! Maybe come back later to check if they have fixed things....