De Bolhoed and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Restaurant Reviews

This restaurant has a very special place in our hearts because it is where we got engaged! It is also a wonderful, friendly restaurant that serves fantastic vegetarian/vegan food.

Located on the very pretty canal of Prinsengracht this is a great place to chill out on the terrace in Summer or warm up in the eclectic interior (wooden tables, ethnic style soft-furnishings, plants and low hanging lamps) in Winter.

The menu includes Mexican, Middle Eastern, Italian and other European dishes. Starters include humous and pitta bread, vegetarian pate, guacamole and tortilla chips. Main courses include Burritos, pasta and – my favourite – the Vegan Platter. This gives you tasters of four or five different dishes on one plate – for instance brussel sprouts or courgettes in a soya milk sauce, barley and beans, shiitake mushrooms and soya – combinations are often unusual but always interesting and well cooked. For a dessert try the chocolate and pear tart or the devilishly tasty Banana Cream Pie.

Service is very friendly and efficient, the atmosphere is relaxed and, as some tables are shared, it can be a good place to meet people. I'd recommend a visit

Favorite Dish: It does get busy so it may be worth booking a table and it does NOT accept Credit Cards do make sure you have enough cash.
A three course meal for two costs approx. 50 euros (35.00 sterling, 67.00 USD)
Opening Hours: noon-10.00pm

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Theme: Vegan/Vegetarian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 626 18 03
Address: Prinsengracht 60-62

Restaurant Name: Spanish restaurants

There were moments when I thought we were fated not to eat at Duende! A heavy snowfall in England meant that our anticipated afternoon arrival in Amsterdam was put back to midnight and, the following evening, a huge thunderstorm as we were walking to the restaurant forced us to take refuge in another bar before we were even half way there! However, on our third night we made it and I was extremely glad we did.

This lovely local tapas bar is warm and inviting, tables are close together or shared which creates an atmosphere of chattiness and ebullience. So if you are looking for a more sedate or intimate environment this may not be the place for you! On a Sunday night the place was busy, mainly it seemed with locals from the surrounding Jordaan area. Flamenco music played in counterpoint to the conversation, candlelight illuminated hands and faces and a jug of sangria helped to lend the scene a mellow, relaxing feel.

As for the food .. it was excellent although Steve did – with a rather pained expression – chose to forgo trying a certain part of a bull’s anatomy, as had been promised in one of the guide books! The meal was gobbled up with hands and fingers and when eventually we stepped back into the chilly Amsterdam evening we felt that we had taken a little bit of the sunny Med with us. Recommended!

Favorite Dish: We had
Marinated Anchovies – they kicked like a mule and had us slapping o0r lips – and thighs – in tasty delight!
Sausages in red Mojo (a spicy salsa)
Prawns in Olive Oil and Garlic – Oooohhhh, soooooo nice!
Spanish Tortilla – yum!
Goats Cheese from Muria
Bread and Butter – great for dipping in the oil/garlic left after we’d eaten all the prawns
Jug of Sangria
2 espresso coffees

Total plus tip (Service was excellent and very friendly):- 39 euros (26.00 sterling/47 USD) and worth every penny
You may have to ask for an English menu

Open: Mon-Thurs 4pm-1am
Fri-Sat: 4pm-3am
Sun: 2pm-1am

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 420 66 92
Address: Lindengracht 62

We had intended to go to a different restaurant on the night we visited Zomers but it was closed for renovation. Walking back along Prinsengracht we happened to glance inside, which seemed inviting, took a look at the menu, which seems inviting and made a reservation. Our un-indented visit turned out to be a very delightful surprise as Zomers proved to be a fantastic little find!

The feel of the restaurant, and the flavour of the food, is bistro-style dining. The décor is plain but nice, white walls, silver topped tables and groovy lights (kind of metal and Perspex cylinders with coloured glass underneath).

The menu reflects Italian and French influences however alongside ingredients such as gnocchi and Italian sausage are Dutch shrimps and coco and lime seasonings reflecting a broader range of cooking ideas. There is a choice of 7 starters, 7 mains and 6 desserts, including a number of fish and meat dishes plus one vegetarian choice of starter and main course. The menu, therefore, is not extensive, however, perhaps this concentration on just a few dishes adds to the quality of the cooking, which is excellent (see below for what we had – for a full menu visit www.zomersrestaurant.nl). Portion sizes are big enough to satisfy but not too over-facing that you feel stuffed allowing you to savour and really enjoy starter, main and dessert.

Add to this a good choice of wine and drinks, friendly and efficient service and a relaxed atmosphere and you’ve got all the ingredients for a good dining experience and a great night out.

Favorite Dish: We had

Scallops with bacon, pasta, garlic and red peppers – very meaty scallops and tasty sauce
Avocado with crawfish, smoked halibut, horseradish and cream – mouth watering!

Cod with clams, rice, chilli and fennel (we think) – delicious
Gnocchi with herbs and artichoke, sun-dried tomato mousse and ricotta – wonderful, the gnocchi and artichoke formed a base upon which the tomato mouse, tasting like a thick pesto, was laid forming a kind of thick savoury cake – I want more!

Warm chocolate sponge with Lavender ice cream – Steve liked, a lot
Cheese Platter with Rye Bread – lovely selection of cheeses

Bottle of Rose wine, 2 glasses of port and 1 espresso

Total Cost for two people (not including service) 100 euros i.e. approx 68.30 sterling/120.88USD
- and worth it!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: 020 638 3398
Address: Prinsengracht 411
Website: www.zomersrestaurant.nl