I'm going to regret reviewing Renato's. It's already so hard to get a table here: this is a fabulous food destination in Amsterdam that simply calls itself a pizzeria.
I was told about this restaurant by a renowned pastry chef who was first dragged here by one of his homesick Italian colleagues who promised that this was the best pizza you could get in Amsterdam. After dining here, I believe him.
One of the first things I noticed was the family vibe of the restaurant. Relaxed, friendly, flexible staff. The dining room was very busy but not too loud.
We had made a mistake in booking our party, but they somehow reshuffled us for a little later that evening so that we'd have a big enough table. As we were leaving for the bar the staff suggested for our short wait, I noticed a small sign outside (on a Wednesday night!) saying that sadly they were fully booked. How nice, real service already.
The decor is relaxed and a little bit rustic but with plenty of room between tables. The buzz is never too loud or close by when the restaurant is full, which seems to be most of the time.
The wine selection is fun to explore with well-known regions and less frequently seen wines, all with an understandable Italian focus, and the pricing is very keen for an Amsterdam restaurant. Drinks were served quickly and with a minimum of fuss.
I have to say that the food here is just superb.
We shared an antipasta platter between us: toasted artisinal breads, traditional cured meats, cheeses and pepperoni was as good as anything I've enjoyed in Italy.
I liked the melon and prosciutto between courses very much.
We also shared a number of vast pizzas - they're big, they're affordable, they've got the finest crust I've ever eaten and the toppings were perfectly proportioned to leave you wanting another bite. Elegant and fascinating flavour combinations were evident, it's not your father's pizza restaurant at all.
Service during the meal is friendly, but not in your face, and when the conversation is running at your table, dishes just magically appear and disappear without any interruptions. Awesome.
Desserts were adequate, but didn't shine for me like the antipasto and mains, although I'm not a great fan of tiramisu, which I'm assured is excellent here. I do like their sgroppino, but I've never yet met one I didn't like!
I've been back a number of times and had a comparable experience every time.
This place is a real find. Sadly many other people think so too which means that reservations, alas, seem now to be mandatory. If you go, you'll see why. Oh, and there's no take-away. read more