I had an epiphany the other day: instead of replying individually to the hundreds of emails I get asking the same questions, I could just write a few posts answering those very questions. FAQ posts, if you will. This in the hope that either a) people will google their question and find the answer on my site before emailing me; or b) failing that, I’ll at least have a ready-made answer all set to send them. This is so bloomin’ common sense-ical I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner. In fact, every other blogger worth their SEO salt has been doing it for years – so I guess it’s time to jump on the bandwagon?
Question: I’m coming to Amsterdam over the Christmas period – which restaurants are open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (Tweede Kerstdag to some of you!)?
Answer: This isn’t an exhaustive list, but here are a few of the swankier places I’ve heard are open via various newsletters and press releases I receive. And it’s Christmas – so you want to go swanky, right? Incidentally, I’ve not actually been to all these places – so I’m not recommending them (I’m not even reviewing them), I’m just telling you they’re open for business…
Restaurants open in Amsterdam for Christmas 2014
Floor17
I’ve not eaten at Floor17 (although I know a man who has: check out Dutchified’s video) but I have had cocktails at Floor17’s bar. And one thing’s for certain: whatever you think of the food, the view (from 17 storeys high) is amazing. This year, chef Richard Matulessy has put together at 7-course Christmas menu for your delectation.
I once had cocktails at the Conservatorium Hotel when I was reviewing it for the World’s Best Bars. The experience nearly bankrupted me (I didn’t get paid expenses), but if you’re feeling flush then chef Schilo van Coevorden has dreamt up a couple of Christmas options. Take your pick from Asian-inspired Taiko (think lobster sashimi and soy-glazed partridge) or keep it more traditional with pumpkin soup and beef wellington from the Conservatorium Brasserie
Bluespoon Restaurant – part of Amsterdam’s Andaz Hotel
Bluespoon
Last year, I had a very nice dinner at Bluespoon, which is good news because the Andaz Hotel’s restaurant is serving up family-style Christmas brunches and dinners on 24, 25 and 26 December.
French meets modern Dutch at this popular high-end kitchen and dining room in de Pijp. Chef Jasper is serving a 6-course Christmas menu, including scallops, duck-liver pate and pork belly, while sommelier Tim can recommend a wine pairing to match.
I’ve had literally no experience of Carter whatsoever, but Iens tells me they’re serving classic Christmas dishes with a modern twist: ravioli with smoked mozzarella, venison with sprouts, mackerel, oysters and chocolate desserts. At €42.50 per person, it’s the cheapest of the bunch, too.
Beef, pumpkin soup and mackerel tartar are all on the menu on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at De Palmboom. The Boxing Day menu takes a similar format but courses are different (they still look seasonal and fairly meaty, however). I’ve never eaten at De Palmboom, but its central location looks handy for visitors to Amsterdam.
I’ve only eaten at Envy once and I was none too impressed with the diet-sized portions and sullen service, so I never went back. But that was a long time ago and they’re still going strong, so maybe they’ve improved. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, they’re serving a five-course dinner, and on Boxing Day only (26th Dec) they’re serving lunch too.
Cost: €59.50
Reserve: envy.nl
Julius Bar & Grill
The grill specialists are serving a three-, four- or five-course menu, including jumbo prawns from their Big Green Egg BBQ (naturally) and roasted rib eye. You’ve got to hope the service will be quicker than when I ate at Julius, however, or you’ll be there till New Year’s…
Mazzo is keeping it Italian with a Christmas menu featuring antipasti to start and Panforte with Vin Santo sabayon for dessert (the main in the middle looks more traditional). On Boxing Day, they’re also serving an antipasti-led brunch, so it’ll be Buon Natale all round. I’ve eaten at Mazzo and it wasn’t a great experience (are you starting to see a theme in my opinion of these IQ Creative restaurants?) but it seems to be popular so what do I know?
