Consistently disappointing service over the years from this place, they should look at their staff training more carefully. Disdain for the customer seems to run from the assistant manager (that we talked to) all the way down to each member of his staff.
At dinner last night we ordered the mushrooms to start which were fantastic. We then had lamb as the main, with sides of potatoes, seasonal vegetables and beans. The 'seasonal vegetables' arrived and they were mushrooms, I said to the waitress there must have been a mistake as these weren't vegetables, they're not seasonal and there's only one of them which led her to argue with me that 'this is what we call vegetables'. Mushrooms are not a vegetable they're a fungus and should be sold as such, we asked for them to be returned as we'd just had a starter of mushrooms. The lamb was a large hunk of dry, flavourless meat sat on a smear of overpowering curry powder sauce; there was no mention of flavours in the menu, just 'lamb' which conjures thoughts of a drizzle of mint sauce and fresh lentils but this wasnt the case. We didn't eat the main and left our cutlery on the plate for a good 5 minutes before spinach that we didn't order was plonked on the table. We explained that it had arrived after we had finished eating and so needed to be sent back, why should I have to point that out to a waitress? In between this we had asked for a refill of the wine and were brought a much punchier tasting one because the waiter 'couldn't find any other bottle in the fridge'.
When the waitress eventually took our uneaten plates of food away we gave feedback of our experience and she again argued the points again that mushrooms are vegetables and that she would tell the kitchen we didn't like the lamb and she huffed off into the kitchen. She eventually brought the bill, no petit four with it like all the other tables, and slapped the bill down and spun on her heels; she has clearly never been trained in how to respond to Customer complaints or she would never have been so reactive and rude. We asked to speak to the manager, who was Erik van Schaik and explained the situation exactly as we have here because we wanted to give feedback on our poor experience. He listened and said he couldn't do anything more for us as we have asked for the bill already; I don't believe that printing a receipt removes the ability in the system for me to add more to it or indeed for them to remove items from it. He didn't even offer a coffee. Erik said if we returned again that he would make sure we had a great time.
In conclusion: our staff can be argumentative, the service slow, you can spend 150 euros on a dinner you did not enjoy and to put the situation right you need to return and spend another 150 euros in the hope of having a better experience? I don't think so. A gesture would have gone a long way. There is no way in hell I will be back to spend more money to hope its a better experience, it would be throwing good money after bad. This experience fell way below our expectations for a 150 euro dinner and we were very disappointed we chose it as our place for date night and not our favourite at the Dylan - they know how to treat customers with respect, when things go well or indeed if they do not, which is the mark of an...
Read moreI had the pleasure of dining twice at Jansz, a restaurant nestled within the Pulitzer Amsterdam Hotel, and it was a culinary delight.
The ambience at Jansz is best described as quiet elegance, setting the perfect tone for a memorable dining experience.
The service here is excellent, with attentive staff ensuring a seamless evening. Surprisingly, the breakfast staff was even more exemplary, including a friendly, helpful and professional female host and our kind, prompt, and extremely thoughtful server. I wish I could remember their names, because they were outstanding! (To the manager, I ate breakfast with you the morning of 19 October 2023)
One of the standout features of Jansz is its sophisticated and diverse food choices. At supper time, the seafood dishes are a particular forte. However, even if you're not in the mood for seafood, their hamburger is a delicious alternative that shouldn't be overlooked.
What adds to the allure of Jansz is its unique location within the complex of Canal homes that make up the stunning Pulitzer Amsterdam Hotel, which I also highly recommend (see separate review). The restaurant provides a charming atmosphere that complements the historic surroundings of the hotel.
Moreover, when you stay at the Politzer Hotel, you're treated to a complimentary breakfast at Jansz. This breakfast is nothing short of exceptional, with a wide variety of delicious dishes made to order, including delectable omelettes, hearty oatmeal, and a selection of cheeses, among other options. However, the real star of the breakfast spread is the hot, crispy, fresh croissants that are simply delightful.
In conclusion, Jansz at the Politzer Amsterdam Hotel is highly recommended. It offers an elegant ambience, impeccable service, a diverse menu, and the added bonus of being within the beautiful Pulitzer Amsterdam Hotel. The breakfast alone is worth the visit, making this restaurant a must-visit when...
Read moreAugust 2025 Update: this used to be my favourite restaurant in Amsterdam, I ate here for my Birthdays and friends Birthdays. Unfortunately last night on my Birthday I was shocked to discover how bad the quality has gotten.
The Burrata was dry, the bread even more dry like it had been sitting out for hours. My Tenderloin steak ordered medium rare was not only fatty in parts (as was my partner’s) but it was so undercooked it was blue in the middle - of course by the time I got to the middle and noticed half was inedible - we had gone through half the meal so sending it back would have been a waste of time. I mentioned it at the end expecting a comp, even small, as a gesture, since it’s €55 and this should just not happen at this price point but nothing happened.
The jus was watery and tasted of nothing, the steak was under seasoned, the mash was bland, the chicory salad needed dressing. The only thing that was good were the fries and even they were average.
And, while I received a Birthday card, they seem to have stopped the free glass of bubbly which was always a classy touch. Service was very friendly but as mentioned I would have expected a little more effort when I complained. The Rose garden was beautiful but that was the only highlight.
Honestly I am beyond disappointed - if I had paid half of what I did I would have been displeased, but I just feel ripped off. I truly hope whoever is in charge realises that cutting corners is not going to work in their favour for long.
Last year’s review below, makes me sad to read it now:
This is one of my favourite restaurants in Amsterdam, the food is incredible and even reasonably priced for the quality and quantity, plus the service is fantastic. We got a complementary card and glass of Cava because it was my friend’s Birthday which was such a nice touch. Could not have had a better evening! Recommend the Steak Frites,...
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