Bistrot Neuf — Restaurant in Amsterdam

I came to Bistrot Neuf to celebrate my birthday with my friends last evening. Let me start with what was mostly good - the food. However, I’ve called up front to know what’s on the menu and been told that there’ll be Duck Liver will be served as a first course. (1/5) I was looking forward to try this dish and let them know in advanced that me and my party really like this dish. I Was hopping that the penny dropped for the lady on the other side of the line and that she’d make sure to keep at least few of these dishes for us for the dinner as we mentioned it before.. After directed to our very arrogant waiter told us the menu of the night and that dish wasn’t part of that but was replaced by some kind of Guinea fowl roll which was barely edible and surely nothing to tell home about - disappointing. Apart of that I want to be fair and to specify that the remaining of the food was decent and some dish as such as the main and dessert were good. The other 2 stars weren’t given simply because of the horrible attitude of our waiter which was grumpy and inattentive. When we told him politely that we were looking forward to try the Duck Liver dish upon checking up front with the restaurant he only said quick that it was a busy night and they ran out of it and it is what it is. He couldn’t care less about the situation and then proceeded with giving us his bad attitude throughout the meal, didn’t give us enough plates to the table, and whenever we asked him for additional one he just put it on the table (more throwing it in fact) without even saying anything. Maybe he heard us all talking a foreign language to each other and he assumed that we are tourists (and that’s why he could be have in such way which will most likely won’t lead to any negative consequences for him or for the restaurant..) although we all live here for many years. Or maybe he just had a bad day, otherwise nothing can explain such a bad attitude which pretty much killed our festive vibe and became the topic of the night, what a pity that was.. Yes, we are all humans in the end and sometimes one could have a bad day. Yet, then he shouldn’t work that night and surely should serve clients if he cannot control his actions and expressions. Needless to say, it all became too much to handle for all of us, and as we felt that its ruining the birthday celebration, my friend talk to one of the waiter’s colleagues and ask to replace him with another as it was unbearable. The other waiter was very nice and we proceeded with her (she also later gave a greeting card with birthday wishes with the dessert which was a nice gesture), but it still didn’t take away the bad feeling and experience we had prior to that. Hence the 2 stars because it could have easily been 4. Food...

As a Frenchman living in Amsterdam, it is always interesting to detect the authentic or fake relationships that restaurants in foreign countries can have when they claim, appropriate or abuse the use of French culture and its culinary heritage for profit. The Bristrot Neuf is, in this respect, one of those many restaurants that are not ashamed of themselves: it is a true illegitimate cultural appropriation that is at stake - the use of the French leg having here only the vocation to adorn mediocre dishes with the aura of a culinary culture that the chef of the Bistrot Neuf can in no way reach by his own movement. So I went to the Bistrot Neuf on January 7. I am only writing this review today, because that is how long it took me to fully recover from this painful experience. I opt that day for a classic starter - main course: Escargots Wijngaardslakken and Brined Cod filet with a cream of white beans, roasted cabbage and beurre noir. The cooking of the snails was bad - they had a stifling confection that stifled their traditional and naturally discreet charm. As for the cod fillet, whose cooking left much to be desired in itself, I have rarely tasted such a repulsive accompaniment, unsubtle in taste, abrupt even, shall we say, and of unparalleled aesthetic ugliness (one had to really see or let's say perceive this plate to understand the real visual attack that it constituted). The wine list is nevertheless quite good - perhaps the only lifeline in this culinary wreck. The Bistrot Neuf is indeed participating in an illegitimate appropriation of French culture for commercial purposes: absorbing French culture without understanding it, without understanding the finesse, the refinement of its flavors, the natural alchemy of certain ingredients between them, the heritage of certain practices, habits and customs - absorbing French culture to spit it out in its most vulgar, filthy, moronic form. Marcel Proust said of Flaubert's characters that they were as flat as the sidewalks of the street: the kitchen of the Bistrot Neuf does not even reach the sidewalk of the street through which one enters and which adjoins its entrance. It only belongs and has the vocation to belong to the gutter. It is a real enterprise of cultural genocide that the Bistrot Neuf participates in: the most complete denaturation of the French culinary heritage to please the simplest and bravest spirits who probably ignore everything of the...

Edit - 6th review: I went for another time and do totally regret this decision. We took the chefs menu and realized (yet again) that this chef is likely a sadist who enjoys torturing his guest. The main course wasnt meat but more something like rubber/gum. What kind of loser chef do you have to be to serve your guest this type of …? The lady in the service will get a separate review by my collegue since she did put the cherry on top when it comes to ruining someones dinner. The young guy in the service tried to fix his supervisors mistakes by providing us an incredible service. But the rest is truly a 0.

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Edit - 2nd review: I went for another time and had my wife and kids with me. As they were in a rush for the table we took mains only. First glass of champagne came in a broken glass. Then the waiter forgot me and I grabbed 2nd glass myself from the bar which was old and not enjoyable - no bubbles and slight vinegar taste. At least it was on house but i rather pay and get a quality drink. We took the Cote de Boeuf for 3 which in terms of meat quality was a total disappointment and almost a joke. The meat was of very very poor quality (full of fat/tendons and gum-like consistency - see photo) and not cooked to the desired grade (med rare instead of med) and there were 2 portion of fries with it although I ordered for 3. I went with the whole lobster which was a bit on the dry side but fresh and ok/eatable. I was a returning guest since my office building is around the corner but will rethink this. I am really super disappointed… The waiter who served us and the chef/kitchen should really feel ashamed serving us such "food".

Hint: You should try De Belhamel around the corner or Mr Porter (best steaks/meat) if you like impressive and CONSISTENT high quality food. ——————

First review: Great location with cozy interior and most importantly delicious food. Friendly staff - I gave them visit for dinner. Starter and 2nd course were very good. Main course Lobster was bit on the dry side but still good. Will...