Restaurant Bougainville — Restaurant in Amsterdam

Over the past ten years, we’ve frequented many Michelin-starred establishments. During our latest visit to Amsterdam, our dining experiences included Bougainville, The White Room, Spectrum, Ciel Bleu.

Food

Bougainville offers a truly exceptional dining experience, distinguished by its unparalleled flexibility. The restaurant's willingness to curate two separate tasting menus for my wife and I, who share dishes, is a testament to their dedication to personalized service. This thoughtful accommodation elevated our visit from the outset.

Each course was a symphony of flavors that captivated our palates. Bougainville shy away from unnecessary culinary theatrics in favor of showcasing the purest expression of their ingredients. The result is a breathtaking display of taste and texture. Carabinero - a symphony of sweet, briny flavors with a firm yet tender texture. Tartare was one of the most unique we’ve had. Kagoshima A5 Wagyu, was a revelation, its intense, buttery flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture unparalleled It was the langoustine - delicate and sweet, melted in the mouth and veal sweetbreads - that offered a luxurious, creamy richness that truly left an indelible mark, surpassing any we've encountered. While the desserts were commendable, they paled in comparison to the preceding courses, a minor quibble in an otherwise flawless meal.

Service

The hallmark of a truly exceptional dining experience is often the service, and Bougainville excels in this regard. The staff deftly balances professionalism with warmth, creating an inviting atmosphere. Their attentiveness and knowledge contributed significantly to the overall enjoyment of our meal and they provided us the custom-made experience we hoped for. A memorable moment occurred when a server accidentally dropped ice near our table. With a quick smile and a playful demeanor, he effortlessly diffused the situation, turning a potential mishap into a lighthearted moment that added to the overall charm of the evening. It's these small touches that elevate a dining experience from excellent to unforgettable.

Wine Service

The wine service was impeccable. Our sommelier demonstrated a keen understanding of our preferences and budget, offering expert guidance while respecting our choices. The selected wine complemented our meal perfectly.

Ambiance

Bougainville's ambiance is both intimate and inviting. The spacious yet cozy setting creates a perfect backdrop for a memorable dining experience.

Value

Considering the exceptional quality of the food, service, and overall experience, Bougainville offers extraordinary value for money.

Verdict

Bougainville stands out as one of the finest restaurants we've experienced in Europe. Its unwavering commitment to culinary excellence, coupled with impeccable service, creates an unforgettable dining journey. We wholeheartedly recommend it to discerning food lovers and are very eager to return for...

Good restaurant, but with a few notes.

Restaurant Bougainville is located on Dam Square, right next to the main monument. It’s in a historical building, which is maintained in a classic style. Upon entering, the staff is well informed and expecting you. This is a touch that really adds to the experience.

You are guided to your table, and a glass of champagne is offered to start the evening. The menu is explained, after which you are treated to some tasty amuses. We chose the 6 course with wine pairing. Te staff is already aware about previously communicated allergies or preferences. Compliments!

Menu. The dishes are varied between courses and very tasty. Presented well and however tasty, the flavour combinations felt slightly “on the safe side”. The lobster in its sauce was nothing short of spectacular though. Note that on the veal, even though presented as a side dish, the main star definitely was the sweetbread. Overall portions are not very large, but you will not leave the table hungry.

Wines. We chose the pairing for the menu. Personally not knowledgeable about wines, but the selection felt a little on the safe side. The wines were tasty though, and Bougainville has an interesting approach to the presentation, allowing for speculation and interaction with the sommelier should you so desire. Unfortunately, the timing of being served your wine felt off, with the wine arriving 15 mins before the dish. Combined with the noticeably little amount being poured initially (2-3 sips), it happened that a dish was halfway being finished, with empty glasses. This feels cheap, and was a definite let-down. Price/value/amount, I would not order the pairing again. Perhaps ordering a bottle is better.

Staff is friendly and professional. Appearing only at the table when required, and vigilant in case you need something. Small note regarding the wine, as mentioned above. Reception is great, and English is no problem.

All in all, I give restaurant Bougainville a recommendation, but with...

Bougainville absolutely deserves 2 Michelin stars. Period. The fact it has only one is a travesty.

I think fine dining establishments index on a triangle of three axis’s: Service, Beauty, & Flavor.

Service: The service at Bougainville is on par with Thomas Keller’s 3 Michelin star Per Se in New York, having just visited there last year. We have eaten at 23 Michelin star restaurants now, and can say it definitely hits the mark.

Beauty: The food and plating is consistently gorgeous through all 4 amuse bouche courses, the 7 mains, and the final dessert and 4 mini desserts accompanying coffee. Absolutely irreproachable.

Flavor: I would rate the tastes collectively at 2 Michelin stars. I am blending both wine and food together in my rating. The wine was stupendous. Nothing disappointing, and matter a fact the parings rivaled many 3 or 2 Michelin stars restaurants. The food itself had some true peaks and valleys. The first two Amuse Buche dishes lacked flavor, as did the first fish dish. Those were the three valleys. The wagyu was tasty, but tough. Having had Wagyu from all over the world both at home and in many restaurants (Japanese and American) given that it was a Rib Eye, I’d expect it to be like butter. It’s flavor was on point but it was super chewy, like a store bought cut. The potato dish however was an absolute masterpiece of culinary perfection. It was one of those dishes I will remember for the rest of my life. Everything else ranged between the peaks and valleys, but overall absolutely on par with or above all of the other 2 Michelin star restaurants we’ve been to.

Thank you to the Bougainville team for an exquisite evening, dinner,...