Café Caron — Restaurant in Amsterdam

My friend and I came across Cafe Caron and decided to try it, not having known anything about it. It looked quaint and the simple menu looked lovely. We were greeted by such kind and professional staff, who immediately took our coats and found room to accommodate us. Our server let us order wine but brought us different wine to try based on our selections and meal orders (the wines by the glass were not listed on the menu). We loved what he had us try and that he was passionate about what he was bringing us (and before you get skeptical - the wine was cheaper than what we had both chosen). Our server asked us if we wanted to start with oysters, and we eagerly said yes, and I'm so glad we did, as we hadn't planned on it but they were fresh, crisp and wonderful.We then had such an extraordinary meal (kohlrabi and monkfish for me, salsify and beef cheeks for my friend) and dessert. All the elements of a great meal were not only there, but perfected - ambiance, service, food and drink quality - and somehow at a good price. I don't live in the Netherlands, but was here for work, and I'm now planning to make a work trip back for my birthday so I can spend it at Cafe Caron. Thanks for an...

Ambitious crew in the kitchen and in the service. Nice wine menu for a restaurant up here in the north. But: the food did not really keep up with this. The North Sea Crab did not taste like crab. The refined crab taste was "executed and killed" by the rest of the ingredients. And it was unclear, whether it is supposed to be a warm starter where they just forgot to warm the plate or a cold starter. And when will chefs learn: you can ALWAYS add salt, but we poor customers/eaters are still unable to remove salt. The fish was overcooked and the accompanying brown sauce - salt issue again. Maybe the cook is in love... The side dish - well some overcooked whatever. I even did not want to try it. Guide Michelin - you were the guiding star for us in the past. What happened to you? I had - unfortunately - quite a few disappointments with you... but back to the place. For obvious reasons I skipped the cake, ice-cream, cheese or whatever they might have on the menu... Nevertheless I think that they deserve another chance. They must be able to do...

For years, this establishment was a dependable fixture—reliably charming and well-run. Sadly, recent visits suggest a troubling decline. The seasoned, professional front-of-house staff has been replaced by a revolving door of inexperienced youths, whose lack of training is immediately evident. Expect to wait an uncomfortable 15 minutes outside—even with a reservation—without so much as an offer of water, let alone a welcome drink. Menus arrive only after repeated requests, bread is often forgotten entirely, and wine service borders on parody: cork fragments unceremoniously fished out with a ballpoint pen. A bottled water might be tossed onto your table post-meal, only to appear on the bill moments later.

The kitchen, once a highlight, now suffers from wild inconsistency and a heavy hand with the salt. And while the coffee has always been regrettable, it now feels like a final insult rather than an oversight. One hopes this once-promising venue finds its footing again—but for now, its best days are...