Rembrandt Corner — Restaurant in Amsterdam

I would have given this place high marks except for the one waiter who told me (knowing I’m American) tips were not included.

The three female waiters were wonderful, the food was good, but towards the end, a male waiter showed up. I made the mistake of asking him for the bill, to be paid by credit card. When he brought it, he told me that service was not included and asked if I would like to leave a tip. This really surprised me because I thought that service was always included in the Netherlands. I figured I better pay for it via tip, like we do in the US. So of course, I was extremely generous and he seemed super happy. Later, I found out that service is always automatically included and that you don’t have to pay for it via tip. Clearly he saw an uninformed American to take advantage of. Not cool!

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not against tipping generously- it’s a part of my culture. What really gets under my skin is when someone deceives you and takes advantage of your generosity- ostensibly because they think you’re a dumb tourist who doesn’t know better. (Well, at that moment, I guess I didn’t know better.) Fortunately, this is the only time this has happened to me in the Netherlands.

Nota bene: the manager said this is normal but please explain to me why from out of every other table around me with European customers, a grand total of zero were asked...

WORST EVER EXPERIENCE! We were a group of nine people going there for breakfast on Sunday morning ( 6/5). We were there at 10 am and the first customers. You were not greeted with a friendly smile or anything. The "lady" was rather annoyed to have had already customers. Three of us ordered Dutch breakfast. After 30 minutes we had to ask for it again because some of the guests had to catch a train and flight. When it finally came peanut butter and jam were missing. She didn't say a word about it and when we complained she said it was so much to do and we rushed her but could let us 2 Euros off. She was very grumpy and unfriendly. When the bill came she only took overall 2 Euros off and not per breakfast. When I pointed that out she said to me it wouldn't be worth 60 Cent, how i could assume to get a discount of 2 Euros each. I commented that with the fact that the breakfast is then very expensive if that stuff is only worth 60 Cent. She shouted (!) over the tables that this was a restaurant and if I couldn't afford it I should go to a fast food place!!! Never in my 57 years have I been treated like this before. The "lady" was so rude and obviously hated her job. Restaurant and this staff would be better off to part from each other. For the customers it would be a huge win....

On a very rainy Sunday evening I Amsterdam & after a pleasant Eurostar journey from London , the cafe restaurant was very inviting and welcoming Two medium rooms banquettes on two sides proving 10/ 15 tables together with a 10 foot side bar. Food hot copious and filling, not gourmet but typical Dutch” home cooking’ In spite of the weather there were 10 couples and customers arriving while I was there. Staff helpful, pleasant and efficient, the customary large TV ,no sound, sports channel but not intrusive. “Rembrandt Corner “ is just a pleasant cafe to spend a relaxing time after a day of work/ sightseeing. Incidentally, the inhabitants of the the nearby “ retraite”(local elderly retirement home) come in regularly and with the chefs directions prepare a batch of home made soup ( this visit tomatoe and basil) and on the evidence of a local elderly couple it was excellent with baguette slices and a beer and glass of white wine! The “retraite” ladies/ gentlemen and the cafe share equally the weekly sum of the served soup ( 5€s) a bowl. a very worthwhile addition to the cafe’s attraction to the local clientele. On the menu, (Dutch& English ) look for “Home made Soup”...