THE DUCHESS — Restaurant in Amsterdam

For a high end concept restaurant one can do better, much better. As a matter of fact, in our case better was hot dogs and burgers stand on the corner. I wish I was kidding or exaggerating.

We went with high expectations after getting a recommendation from a friend and taking a look at the website and the menu. I mean, once you look over it, it does sound amazing, doesn't it?

Anyway, we freshened up and braved through the below zero temperatures to get to taste the wonderful things that the menu had promised us.

The restaurant is located inside the same building as the W hotel and the building is stunning. It feels like you are walking into a place from almost a hundred years ago.. alas, looks can be deceiving. It all started okay. We got introduced to our server, got a bottle of water and placed order for drinks there were absolutely great, except it took 15 minutes to get them and even our server had to apologize and say that she is not sure why it's taking so long. It should have been a warning. Granted the drinks were good, still...

We ordered three appetizers and one main course to share. The first appetizer was oysters and it was darn good but it's very difficult to ruin good oysters. The second one was beef tartare and arguably it was the best I've had.

Sadly that's all the positives I can mention.

The bread that came with tomato and pepper should have been amazing but the bread and tomato were extremely oversalted - at some point I took a bite and it was nothing but salt! Similarly, baby eel was not just oversalted, it tasted of nothing but salt.

While the trio of appetizers arrived at a fairly reasonable time, the 10 mushroom risotto that made me salivate when I read the menu, was taking upwards to an hour to get to our table. At about 45 minute mark or so, our server stopped by to say that the risotto is going to be out in a minute. Fifteen minutes later we asked to cancel it and get our check.

Over the course of an hour and forty minutes we were not asked even once whether we'd like more water ( we did) or more bread (we did) or to order something else....

In addition there a gentleman with an overgrown mustache who was very impatient and abrasive and a dictionary definition of condescending prick and alpha-male mainsplainer douche who made it a point to turn his nose up and remove everything from the table the millisecond it was no longer necessary. Of course, when we actually need someone in charge, he was nowhere to be found. Once we have politely asked our server to cancel the risotto and bring our check, The Overgrown Mustache decided to inquire if everything is okay with the fakest smile I've seen in person. When I told him that I've had dinners at most iron chefs restaurants and multiple Michelin star restaurants and this was by far the worst, he somehow managed to impart on us that he would rather we not pay the €180, however this was not offered as an apology for a bad service or no, this was offered as the most condescending slap in a face "you plebs" way that we 7 out of general principal.

Literally the worst birthday experience and the worst dinner in Europe...

Pretentious isn’t even a strong enough word to describe the awkward and over-barring behavior displayed by the staff in this inhospitable establishment. Their “concept” has seemingly overtaken all common sense and courtesy and left them with an inflated ego and mediocre food. We were immediately met with patronizing hostility from the hostess when simply inquiring if there might be a table available for the evening, as the place was empty at the time of our reservation. Responding to the simple inquiry in an unprovoked tone of frustration, “Well, we have an extremely busy evening and therefore everything must be kept according to how it has been planned, ok?” instead of a simple yet polite “Im very sorry, but our tables are fully booked for the evening.” This was an ominous indicator of what awaited us at our bar seating reservation. We were immediately met with a snobby pontification about the “concept” of the restaurant - long story short, they strongly recommend that everything is to be shared; however, this was immediately contradicted when we ordered the baked scallop appetizer. “There is only one scallop so we strongly recommend you order a second one.” So much for everything is meant to be shared. The staff provided us with a cocktail menu and when my husband ordered a drink he was told that this selection is not in alignment with their recommendation, and that it is “too heavy” to begin the meal with. They were relentless in their pressure and my husband gave in. The cocktail that they chose instead was extremely underwhelming. This constant interfering with what was desired continued the whole evening with each selection we made. We did not order a single thing to which they “agreed” with. This made us feel extremely uneasy and unwelcome. My husband and I have been to many top-tier restaurants and have never been told what to eat, when, and how. This barrage of uncouth and presumptuous behavior displayed by the staff made the evening almost unbearable, especially given the cost. The food was decent, but was far from our expectations given the pretentious airs on display throughout the entire establishment. I had the sole meuniere, which was under seasoned and unspectacular. The food kmay have been received in a more favorable light if the staff had not treated us like petulant children from the moment we walked in. In short, I will never return nor will I give The Duchess any positive recommendations. I will however deliver a strong warning for anyone considering a visit...

Amsterdam's dining scene boasts a dazzling array of options, and The Duchess, nestled within the W Hotel, shines brightly as a Michelin-starred gem. My experience lived up to the hype, exceeding expectations at every turn.

A Celebration of Sharing: The Duchess embraces a social dining concept, encouraging the sharing of plates – a refreshing approach in a country where individual portions often reign supreme. This allowed our group to embark on a delightful culinary exploration, sampling a wider array of dishes.

A Symphony of Flavors:

Pinot Noir Old Fashioned: The evening began with a playful twist on the classic. The Pinot Noir infused the drink with a subtle dessert wine note, adding an unexpected yet harmonious layer to the familiar cocktail. Sea Bass Carpaccio: Paper-thin slivers of sea bass danced on a bed of olive oil, each bite a testament to pristine quality and delicate preparation. Beef Tartare: While the truffle's potency slightly overshadowed the tartare, it remained a delightful nibble. Baked Scallop: The star of the appetizers, this dish showcased perfectly cooked scallops bathed in a luxurious hollandaise sauce. A minor quibble: the hollandaise might have been even more divine served separately. Main Course Masterpieces: Peppercorn Entrecôte: This dish stole the show. The melt-in-your-mouth, perfectly rare steak boasted a symphony of flavors – the subtle heat of fresh peppercorns complementing the rich gravy. It was a true revelation. Beef Wellington: While slightly rarer than my preference, the execution was flawless. The expertly cooked meat paired beautifully with a phenomenal mushroom duxelles. Sweet Endings: Crème Brûlée: A deconstruction of the classic, this version offered a unique twist while maintaining its essence. Paired with caramel ice cream, it delivered a satisfying conclusion. Hazelnut Praline: The standout dessert, this creation offered a delightful textural contrast between the praline's crunch and the rum caviar's surprising bursts of flavor.

Beyond the Plate: The Duchess masterfully blends modern and classical elements, evident in both the art and the overall ambiance. The result is a vibrant and sophisticated space that perfectly complements the innovative culinary journey.

In Conclusion: The Duchess is a must-visit for any discerning gourmand in Amsterdam. From the social dining experience to the exceptional execution of each dish, this Michelin-starred gem offers a truly...