Bar Botanique — Restaurant in Amsterdam

We (2 women of color) were at this place yesterday. The table we were at was a little dark so we asked the waitress if we can take the empty table that’s closer to the windows, she said that table is for four people and we can not sit there the two of us. Then we sat on another table, and ordered. 10min later two white guys come in and the table for four is separated into two tables of two and they sit on the light spot we asked and could not sit. We go and ask the waitress what is going on, we are told that the moment we asked was too busy and it was not possible and the creative two white guys offered to separate the tables, and this genius solution they brought up made it possible for them to take the table. Flabbergasted by this explanation we left our drinks unfinished, cancelled our dinner and paid for our drinks(we were not even offered any compensation) and headed to leave. While passing the kitchen we saw the waitress and went to her and explained how the situation looks (two women of color are denied a table that two white guys can just be seated minutes later). The waitress said it was not her intention (well, it never is apparently anyone’s intention but the situation is what it is and good intentions are not enough) The waitress started crying, we looked and saw no person of color in the staff. We headed to the door, we were stopped by the manager. She asked what happened and told us the waitress has no fault, we said we are not pointing at people but a situation, she told us it is the reservation system that made this possible, (well, then structurally there is a big problem in this horeca !!) We were told we misunderstood a situation. So entitled! We really did not need any explanation as to what we understand of our continuous experience of structural racism within this city, the whiteness needed affirmation and not interested in a sincere apology and a recognition of the bias, only interested in itself and soothing its own discomfort. People of color, do not go there! It is just another place run by...

We booked a table with couple of friends with high expectations given the massive media coverage. When we arrived our table was almost ready, but the waiter asked whether we would like to get the best one on the mezzanine. We happily appreciated the offer and sat by the bar where we were handed the drinks menu. 10 euro for a below average drink was way too much. I honestly expected something "botanical" considering how much effort was put into the interior design, but apparently nobody thought about this. One hour later we sat at our table. A waiter came to order our food. 20 minutes or so later another waiter brought our food, and at that point we were asked what we wanted to drink. We ordered wine, which we didn't get until we were done eating after chasing another waiter asking for our drinks. Then we made the mistake to order a coffee. 15 mins later we got it. It was undrinkable. Same story goes for the bill: 15 mins waiting for the staff to come get the money. Nobody seems to remember about us. We eventually decided to walk downstairs to pay as nobody cared about us. The food I ordered, lamb, was ok, but nothing outstanding. My friends, instead, who respectively ordered a salad and fish were really disappointed. It's really sad to see that so much effort is put into the interior design but no care (and training) at all is put on service and food & drink design. I wouldn't return and recommend it to anybody unless things change positively. I rather write no review if it's to criticize, but I thought that the staff need to be aware of this and I hope that it can be taken as a...

Such a cool place !!! What deco and atmosphere, feels like a mini-jungle in there :-) The people working there are very nice & welcoming, service is top !! Especially one lady named Jul, works there since it opened, treated us sooooo well. I'm definitely going back there and writing a good review on Google maps.... Oh wait, doing that already. Anyway, if you get there you should try this awesome non-alcoholic spirits they have, out of this world !! So rich in flavour. Finally something else to drink instead of all these sugary sodas :-)))))))) The bar is apparently part of a series of cafes and bars opened by 2 or 3 Dutch guys, they have even a nick name for them, something like the wizards of the east or similar. Anyway, apparently they open really different and super cool places, and now also not only in the east of Amsterdam, they took over Pacific bar at Westerpark.... Ok, enough of a review I...