MOS — Restaurant in Amsterdam

MOS, Amsterdam » My visit: Oct 2024 » Total score: 4.7/5 – very good » Comment: I really enjoyed the food and the wines. As for the food, I would particularly highlight an outstanding intermediate course with sweetbread and the no less outstanding main course with beef. Concerning the wines, I would highlight an outstanding Chardonnay from the Mâconnais. The MOS fully met my very high expectations. If I happen to come to Amsterdam again, I will definitely consider another visit to this gourmet restaurant. 1|116|66

My ratings for this gourmet restaurant in detail:

●● Service – 4.8/5 – very good: ● Hospitality, friendliness, obligingness, etc.: 4.8/5 ● Atmosphere, temper, facilitation, etc.: 4.8/5

●● Food – 4.8/5 – very good: ● Flavors (range, depth, composition, harmony/balance, etc.): 4.8/5 ● Level (thoroughness, craftsmanship, originality, exclusivity, variety of impressions, consistency/diversity, etc.): 4.8/5 ● Choices: 4.7/5

●● Beverages, mainly the wines – 4.8/5 – very good: ● Taste (depth/range, length, complexity, balance, accessibility, elegance, intensity/subtlety, etc.): 4.8/5 ● Level (variety/novelty of impressions, consistency/diversity, exclusivity, etc.): 4.8/5 ● Did the beverages (mainly the wines) match the dishes?: 4.8/5 ● Choices: 4.2/5

●● Presentation of the food – 4.3/5 – good: ● Textures and (differences in) temperatures: 4.6/5 ● Colors and decorations: 3.6/5 ● Timing and sequencing as well as sizes of portions: 4.9/5 ● Special effects (positionings, DIY-effects, sculptural or thematic elements, surprises, color and motion effects, fake effects, olfactory effects, fog or smoke effects, etc.): 3.1/5 ● Procedures at and around the table (attunements and explanations, elements added/changed, service and staffing intensity, involvement of kitchen team, orchestrated dish presentations, preparations and dishes (partially) built up at the table, etc.): 4.7/5

●● Presentation of beverages, mainly the wines – 4.9/5 – outstanding: ● Procedures at and around the table (explanations and attunements, etc.): 4.9/5 ● Quantities poured as well as timing in relation to the dishes: 4.9/5

●● Premises and location – 4.6/5 – still very good: ● Accessibility, surroundings and - as applicable - the view: 4.8/5 ● How did I like the room or - as applicable - outdoor area’s style, decor and atmosphere?: 4.8/5 ● Well-being (space, privacy, temperature, ventilation/odors, lighting, soundscape, sanitary facilities, etc.): 4.4/5

●● Price – 4.7/5 – very good: ● Price-performance ratio for food: 4.8/5 ● Price-performance ratio for wines and other beverages: 4.8/5 ● Price transparency and correspondence of the expected to the actual price (simple, complete and unambiguous price information on the restaurant's website and in the menu,...

Wow. Just wow.

Let's just start by admitting my mistake. I ordered here a couple months ago (due to covid-19 they have a special take-out menu). We ordered a 5 course meal for two persons. We had our special date night a were expecting a certain menu listed on the MOS site. We ordered it on Monday to take-out for Saturday. When we arrived home the menu turned out to be different from what was said on the website. I was super disappointed, because I was so excited for the menu that was listed. As I was about to cry (yes, that is how much I care about food, embarrassing), I decided to call them and ask them about the change in menu. Speaking to one of the chefs or staff from MOS, he apologized for the change in menu, but apparently they change the menu every 2 weeks on Monday and I just ordered it before the change. I did not like this at all. To compensate me for this, they offered to give me a free bottle of wine on my next order (stubborn as I was I did not like this solution, but there wasn't much else to do, but accept).

We started to make all the meals and my mind was blown. Normally, when you are biased and already have your mind made up, it is hard to change it, but when there is some sort of chemical symbiosis in your mouth going on, it is hard to rebel against it. This was probably the BEST food I've ever had. Every meal was exceptional. The combinations were so good. I thought I did not like blood sausage (as I mostly eat vegetarian), but even this was amazing. With every meal I was surprised as to how the are so well combined and paired.

Well to end this story, we ordered again 5 weeks later. My boyfriend picked up the order and got the free bottle of wine, which was really good with the fish. They did not go cheap and gave us a proper good wine. And again, mind is blown. Food is amazing. So generous with everything. You don't have to worry that you will ever run out of the sauce (which is often the case in fancy restaurants), because they provide you with plenty.

I would like to end this review with just saying : GO HERE, IT IS AMAZING!

And maybe a cheeky slogan; this amazing food, will get you in...

I did a random walk-in for lunch since my Friday freed up unexpectedly. There were no tables by the window left, I thought about making a later reservation for dinner but they were fully booked for that as well, so I grabbed a table inside for lunch. Would have been awesome to dine by the water, pox to whoever booked the waterfront table and didn’t show.

After reading reviews online, I wanted to try the tasting menu for lunch. The chef came by and explained the courses. I opted for the 5 course instead of 3 since I didn’t have breakfast. Decided not to do a wine pairing for the same reason. The glass of champagne as aperitif was plenty on an empty stomach.

The bread was good, I only ate two pieces. Felt bad for wasting food but I wanted to leave room for my 5 course meal.

LOVED all the seafood courses and the dessert. I may be favoring the seafood since I’m from an island and frequent Japanese restaurants when I’m home. There was a lot of miso bases flavoring in the dishes. The sirloin was ok. I normally only eat filet mignon with a glass of cabernet, so the texture is different than my usually preference and I didn’t pair it with red wine. All in all, it was a great experience and I’m glad I made to detour to go try it.

My 5 course meal took over 2 hours, but I wasn’t in a rush. If you are short on time, this may not be the right place. The portions are not huge, I finished all my food (except for the bread) including the two desserts (they were part of the same course) with no problem.

Price was also very reasonable for a Michelin starred restaurant. Already recommended this place to my colleagues for their future visits. Definitely worth a try if you are in the area. Plan ahead and make a reservation if you want a good table by the window to look out at the...