When planning our trip to Amsterdam, I did quite a bit of research on restaurants in the area. I wanted an amazing meal with a unique experience and we got just that at
Restaurant De Kas in East Amsterdam, easily accessed from the city center by bike.
I am always one to study menu's and plan out my meal prior to arriving. Being Restaurant De Kas changes their menu on a weekly basis with seasonal ingredients from their nursery, the menu is not posted online. All I could do is drool over their food photos on facebook until the day arrived.
I always love unexpected starter dishes and when we were brought a little plate of Brussels Sprouts, I was all about it. With Brussels in one hand a glass of Champagne in the other, I gladly welcomed more green to the table with a dish of imported Olives and bread (the only imported item from our meal).
There are a few options for dining at Restaurant De Kas:
Lunch
Three small dishes €18.50
Main course €20.50
Dessert €9.50
Two-course menu €39.00
Dinner
Three-course dinner €49.50
This fixed menu always consists of a selection of three small starters (€18.50) followed by a main course (€21.50) and a dessert (€9.50) - Do the math and it is well worth the price.
We started off with the Baked Red Beetroot and Cucumber soup with a Greveling oyster. Now, you may think Beets and Oysters don't mix - but the DO. This soup was absolutely delicious, refreshing and I nearly licked the bowl clean. May have something to do with my Beet obsession.
Our second dish was a Potato gratin with eggplant, rocket salsa with rosemary and a roasted eggplant compote. It had edible flowers and you could taste the freshness in this dish. My husband isn't big on eggplant but devoured this dish in a few minutes. At this point, I knew we were in for an amazing meal.
Up next was a dish that nearly knocked my socks off. Barbecued zucchini with a basil pesto with smoked almonds and baked endive. It was beautiful, delicious and I need to learn how to make this so my husband will eat Zucchini at home.
Our last item was Pike-perch whit Savoy cabbage, purple Chinese cabbage and cream of celeriac. It was a light dish and the perfect ending to our meal. When they asked if we wanted the dessert special of the week (Pumpkin cake with raisins, pumpkin caramel, pumpkin seed crumble and a pumpkin sorbet) we sadly said no. I didn't want to eat myself sick, however pumpkin sorbet!! Willpower isn't always a good thing as I regret not trying it now.
I wasn't joking when I said we ate inside of a greenhouse! It was a rainy day but that didn't take away from the beauty of this restaurant.
Following our incredible meal, we had a tour of the nursery. A harvest had happened right before we arrived but it even half full, the space was incredible. For those that have been to Epcot in Florida, it reminded me of going through Living with the Land.
We got up close and personal with some heirloom tomatoes (gorgeous!).
And some cute squash blossoms!
The herbs and edible flowers inside of the nursery were quite stunning.
This hanging plant is incredible! I better not show this to my Mom or she will want one for Christmas.
Along with dining in the green house, there are multiple dining spaces in Restaurant De Kas, all equally impressive as the next.
This was the best meal we had in Amsterdam and I would go back in a heartbeat next time we find ourselves there. There will be a next! If you find yourself in Amsterdam, please do me a favor and make a reservation. You will not regret it!
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