Midtown Grill — Restaurant in Amsterdam

We came to this restaurant to celebrate our son’s VWO graduation, having been told it was the best steakhouse in town. We just went from problems to problems.

Some of the issues were just bad luck: • The fries were limp, not crispy, and tasted odd. Why can't they make the most simple potatoes recipe? stick to classic fries or chips. • Their big “Argentinian steak knives” couldn’t cut anything. Even the waiter admitted, “We know, management refuses to replace them.” I still had to wait five minutes just to get a proper knife, by which time my food was just waiting getting colder.

very disappointed : • Our €€€ Spanish meat (yes! 3 digits!!!) was ready sooner than other meals and they just let it wait on a counter... to cool down. • Their website shows meat served on a hot iron cast with candles to keep it warm. In reality, the cast iron was room temperature. that's the worst that could happen: the cold iron cast was actually cooling the meat!!!! (by sucking all the heat in the meat). When I complained, the waiter immediately knew the issue before I finished my sentence!!!! • I expected the very hot iron cast to continue the cooking and keep it warm towards the end of the dinner. as such I asked for medium rare. but with a cold iron cast, we were just eating raw cold meat. • The reheated cast iron came back warm, not hot, no sizzle, (as all other restaurants do with meat on iron cast). Meanwhile, our fries and mashed potatoes went cold waiting. • The kitchen doesn’t season the meat before cooking. what a terrible mistake. you eat meat that taste meat + salt, not salted meat that you get with seasoning. • And those candles under the plate? 100% for show. Ten minutes in, the iron cast was still cold to the touch. Another illusion.

Portions were also stingy. For the price we paid, the amount of fries and mash was laughable. we're not 8 years old.

The entire evening was frustration. Cold, chewy, raw meat. A ruined celebration. We only finished our meals because my wife insisted — too expensive to waste. I wanted to complain, but she didn’t want a scene and even insisted on leaving a tip. I strongly objected, but lost that argument too.

We spent nearly €300 on this disaster. I am utterly disgusted.

on the good side: • The waitress was kind and polite but you knew she knew something was wrong with (especially with the knife and cold iron cast) • Starters and bread were decent. • One guest had the risotto and enjoyed it.

I waited a week to write this, to be sure I was being fair and truthful. I would not return to...

Worst dining experience I’ve ever had, especially at this price point. I never leave reviews but this was so bad and especially the treatment with everything that I do leave a review.

From the moment we walked in, the place reeked of sewage. What an “entrance.” No one offered to take our jackets, so we ended up awkwardly draping them over our chairs, where they fell off several times.

It took ages before anyone even bothered to take a drink order. Hello? We’re here to spend money, not beg for service. When we finally ordered, the wrong bottle of wine was brought out. They swapped it, but the tone was already set—bad start.

Then came their so-called “meat trolley.” Honestly, it was laughable. The trolley itself was dirty, the herbs dried out and dead, and the meat wrapped in cheap plastic like we were at a wholesale store, not a high-priced restaurant. This is their supposed “unique selling point”? The server even pitched the bavette as “the most tender cut.” What a joke compared to the other options.

We ordered two starters to share before the steaks. The carpaccio (€22!) came with sad, plastic-tasting parmesan. Zero attention from the staff, who were too busy chatting among themselves despite the restaurant being half-empty. We had to wave someone down just to order another bottle of wine.

When the steaks finally arrived (ordered medium rare), they were served on a lukewarm iron plate with a candle under it—cheap and tacky presentation. No sides, no sauces, no vegetables—everything had to be ordered separately. And the worst part? All four steaks were completely overcooked. Well done, not medium rare. We refused to eat them. When the waitress came back, even she admitted they were overdone but said the chef insisted they were “medium rare.” Unbelievable.

By then, our entire appetite was gone. Between the bad food, the clueless staff, and the zero problem-solving skills, the whole evening was ruined. The manager eventually came over and genuinely tried to fix things, but it was far too late.

We left without main course and went to another restaurant.

This place is a complete tourist trap— ridiculously overpriced, soulless, terrible quality, and staff who have no idea what they’re doing....

BEST EXPERIENCE!

We had booked in advance as we had heard good reviews and one of the good restaurants that have an option for wheelchair accessibility.

We were late as well but they were very sweet about it and we really appreciate the hospitality. They took our coats at the door as well which was lovely!

Our waitor was even more amazing - Gino. I had secretly let him know that we had a birthday girl at the room and he really accommodated this request. He explained the meats very clearly and when we mentioned about the dietary requirements (a severe milk and sesame allergy), he remembered this and recommended all the best options for starters, mains and dessert. We haven't had a good service like this before and we appreciated the personalisation.

The food was spectacular, one of the best meals I have ever had. The chef that night was Angie and I want to say thank you to them for the meal as the meat was cooked perfectly and delicious!

For the birthday girl, Gino brought out a vegan dessert with the rest od the ordered desserts even though the milk and sesame allergy was a different person. The dessert had sparklers and he took a Polaroid photo and presented this with the bill at the end.

Just after we finished the dessert, he gave us some marshmallows and small fondue lighters so we can roast them. Unfortunately, we couldn't have marshmallows, so he gave us some extra biscuits. But all of his gestures, were extremely kind and sweet and we really appreciated everything. This was the last meal together before we flew home so it made the whole trip even sweeter. Thank you to Angie for the meal and Gino for the entire amazing experience!

I HIGHLY recommend...