Kyoto Cafe

Kyoto Cafe, not to be confused with the nearby Tokyo Cafe, is located in the middle of the busiest street in Amsterdam – the Damrak. The thought of an all-you-can-eat dining experience on the Damrak immediately filled me with dread, but I was assured that this was not one of Amsterdam’s ubiquitous tourist traps.

Damrak Gem

As it was early on a Tuesday evening I didn’t bother making reservations, but, to my surprise, the eatery was completely packed with locals. Luckily there were a couple seats left at the long sushi bar where the chefs were busy in action.

The interior is sleek but not extraordinary, with a mixture of both tables and floor cushions at the back. There’s also a karaoke machine available for guests interested in an ‘all-you-can-eat and sing’ evening.

Past experiences with all-you-can-eat sushi in Amsterdam have ranged from bad to downright awful. The last encounter led to a two-day bout of food poisoning leaving me very wary of the sushi scene in this city.

Come Hungry

I decided to force temporary amnesia and dive in head first by ordering salmon sashimi along with a few nigri pieces and maki rolls. The sashimi was surprisingly fresh and tasty and the wasabi was nice and spicy. To my surprise, the often bland California roll was one the highlights, cooked with freshly made sticky rice. The rainbow roll was a bit heavy on the nigiri toppings and the large size made it difficult to consume but overall the quality and variety of sushi was surprisingly good.

Alongside sushi, Kyoto Cafe offers an equally extensive selection of hot traditional Asian dishes. The dumplings in the dumpling hotpot were flavoursome, but the soup was a little too salty. My favourite was the saikoro steak. It was cooked to a perfect medium, tender and flavourful with a hint of teriyaki sauce, topped with fried garlic chips.

The menu also offers dessert including a selection of crepes, and ice cream in vanilla, green tea, sesame and red bean flavours. The full bar serves traditional beers and mixed drinks, as well as sake and Japanese beers.

No Deal Breakers

Most all-you-can eat establishments have annoying rules to abide by. Fortunately, Kyoto Cafe is a free for all. I recommend choosing the deluxe option (€25.80), as you can order anything from the menu with no extra charges. There are no rounds – just order what you want, when you want. The service is quick with servers regularly coming by to clear plates and offer second helpings. There are also no fines or time constraints, making it one of the most laidback all-you-can eat experiences in the city.

If you’re looking for high-quality authentic sushi, you’re better off at Okura Hotel’s Yamazoto restaurant. You won’t find seasoned Japanese sushi chefs nor Michelin star mastery but if you’re looking for conveniently located sushi with a high price-to-quality ratio, make a reservation and bring your empty stomach to Kyoto Cafe.

Final Score: 7.8

Kyoto Cafe

Damrak 44
+31 (0)20 6255302

http://kyoto-cafe.nl/

Red Restaurant

Restaurant Red, which sits on the corner of Keizersgracht and Nieuwe Spiegelstraat, is the ideal place for a romantic date. With its antique mirrors, dimly lit art deco lamps and bruin café furniture, it exudes a charm that is at once sophisticated yet still relaxed and cosy. Seated at our table, the wide restaurant windows provided a spectacular view of the first snowflakes of winter falling on the canal outside. This cozy restaurant is quite small, so it’s best to make a reservation as space is extremely limited.

Surf & Turf

To put it bluntly, if you’re a vegetarian or looking for a diverse array of culinary treats, don’t bother visiting. The restaurant only offers two dishes: steak and lobster. You’re given the choice of a fresh Canadian 500g lobster at €24.50, a 200g South American steak at €17.50 or a surf and turf combination of the two at €30.25. The restaurant offers a fine selection of reasonably priced white, red and rosé wines which you can order by glass or bottle.

The steak was delicious and so tender that I was able to slice through it with a butter knife. While the fluffy béarnaise sauce was a suitable accompaniment, the flavour of the meat was so great that the juicy, buttery steak was enjoyable all on its own. On the contrary, the lobster, which tasted fresh and succulent, would have benefited from an extra helping of garlic butter to give it a bit more flavour.

While the steak and lobster were both well cooked and presented, the lack of side dishes tainted an otherwise perfect meal. It would have been nice to pair each dish with something beyond the ubiquitous fries and bland salad, both of which are a tiresome staple in most Dutch cafés. Nevertheless, such high-quality steak and lobster (served until midnight!) is a rare luxury in Amsterdam.

Intoxicating Treat

Though there’s only bread as a starter and the main course options may be somewhat limited, the dessert menu certainly makes up for it. The extensive menu offers everything from ice cream to cheeses, and each dessert comes paired with a uniquely flavoured dessert wine. The chocolate sponge cake, filled with blue cheese, was rich. The subtle flavour of the cheese was not overpowering, and added a unique twist to a familiar dessert. The classic French tart, coated in almond paste and lemon cream, was fresh, creamy and had plenty of zest, but the crust was a little too hard. Our waitress described each dessert in detail and was friendly and attentive throughout the evening. While Restaurant RED may lack variety, its cosy atmosphere, friendly service and moderate prices make for a romantic and delicious dining experience. Provided you like steak or lobster.

Final Score: 7.8

Restaurant Red

Keizersgracht 594

+31 (0)20 3201824

www.restaurantred.nl

Affordable Amsterdam: Ken-San

Two facts about Amsterdam: Its difficult to find good Asian food. Its even more difficult to find cheap food.

Then there’s Ken-San.

Tucked  away in an alleyway off the Rembrandtplein, this tiny restaurant is easily missed among the never ending row of bright fluorescent-lit pubs and clubs. The Japanese-influenced interior design and restaurant name suggests that this place is a  Japanese ramen shop and even famous Dutch food critic Johannes van Dam noted its authentically ‘Japanese’ cuisine. I have to disagree. Beyond the aesthetics and the fact that is serves ramen, it’s far from real Japanese food. The menu is pan-asian, with no dishes having true national culinary allegiance.

None of this actually matters since the food is spectacular. The duck ramen, an interesting fusion of Japanese noodles with Chinese garnishing, is excellent. It is full of flavour, the noodles are notably handmade and tastes fresh. It’s greasy but in the way a good ramen is supposed to be and for a mere €8.50, this dish alone will have me frequenting the establishment on a regular basis.

The Thai chicken at €7.40 was flavoursome and great for its price though a bit misleading by description. The dish claiming to be “Thai fried chicken” was actually a curry dish.

Regardless, it was delicious and we had no real complaints other than its lack of authenticity. On top of great food and prices, we also received good service, a true rarity in Amsterdam. The servers are always friendly, attentive and the food comes out quickly. With all dishes ranging from €7 to €9 it is near impossible to find another place in the city with this kind of price to quality ratio.

http://www.ken-san.nl

Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 8

Daily from noon to  Midnight

020-4209839

Mazzo

With its inviting (to some people) group tables and designer touches, Mazzo mixes the comfort of a neighbourhood café with the more luxurious sensibility of a lounge. Its reasonably priced menu draws a crowd of in-the-know locals who come less for the food than for the sleek yet intimate atmosphere.

Design Excellence

Upon entering the clean yet inviting space, the large, brightly lit ‘Mazzo’ sign might have guests wondering whether they’ve just walked into a nightclub. Indeed, this Italian bistro has been recently reincarnated – the site was once a well-known club venue. The designers managed to retain the trendy and lively late-night atmosphere while adding elements of a comfortable and relaxing eatery.With red-chequered napkins, exposed piping, and unfinished plywood shelving, the decor creates a pleasantly trendy ambience. One clear advantage in this club–to–restaurant conversion is space. The bright lights and open areas in the bar, lounge, and dining area are appreciated in a city full of small, dark interiors.

Taste in decor, not in food

Unfortunately the playful touch given to the restaurant’s design did not extend to its kitchen. Though the appetizers of vegetable bruschetta and pasta carbonara, cooked with authentically Italian ingredients were fresh and tasted decent, the entrees didn’t quite hit the mark. The smattering of gravy with the roast guinea fowl could not offset the dryness of the bird. The bream, while cooked perfectly, was stuffed with an unappetising addition of raw garlic cloves (with the skin still on them!). Identical preparations of side vegetables accompanied both the fish and the meat. In general, the meal was acceptable, especially given its price. The service was sporadic, but earnest when it arrived. Please take note, Mazzo had only been open four days at the time of the review, wrinkles with the service and the quality of food may since have been smoothed out.

Stick to Indulgences

By far the highlight of the evening arrived at the end. The panna cotta was exceptional. It was moist, creamy, and managed to avoid the rubbery texture that is a common problem with this dessert. The lime sorbet with berries was fresh without overbearing tartness. All three offerings of red wine by the glass were excellent and surprisingly inexpensive. The late-night bar offered an extensive and affordable wine menu, making it a great place for after dinner drinks or pre-party gatherings.Despite shortcomings in the menu, Mazzo draws a crowd. The restaurant was wall-to-wall with a stylish Amsterdam clientele who seemed to enjoy the charming atmosphere. In a city renowned for early closing times, it’s refreshing to finally see a restaurant and lounge where people can enjoy both food and drink, day or night.

 

Mazzo

Rozengracht 114

020 344 64 02