Elmar

So the first «nice» meal out I had in Amsterdam when I was just a newbie 2.5 years ago was at Restaurant Elmar. I hadn’t drank the Unilocal Kool-​Aid yet so didn’t have a proper platform to express how delicious it was but years later, I always remembered it and always meant to go back. Yesterday we did just that — I took the boyfriend there for (one of) his birthday meals!
Though we are usually open to the «chefs menu» concept, the a la carte options looked too good to pass up. My boyfriend is a big pâté fan and was very pleased by their house-​made pâté. I thoroughly enjoyed my artichoke salad — though it wasn’t exactly what I expected. It must have also been appealing to the spider who launched himself into my food — perils of dining outside I suppose. That said, death by melty goat cheese is how I’d want to go!
The mains were equally as satisfying — Duck leg for me, steak for him. To be honest, it was a little hard to enjoy in the roasting heat but the cold, delicious beers kept us cool. Service was also good — attentive but unobtrusive. We’ll be back — hopefully within less than 2.5 years. :)

Zo lekker!
The boyfriend and I dined here last night. Gezellig courtyard under trees (and apartments) in the back. Nice linen. Quiet and romantic. Casual and super comfortable.
The food was delicious!
It’s a 3 or 4 course menu. No choices, you just tell them your restrictions and they bring you out magic.
They pair the first course with a wine/​spritzer. That’s nice. It’d be better if they paired each course w/​a wine. :) Remove all possibilities for having to make a decision.
The chef brings out the main course to explain what it is.
Dinner and drinks and dessert for two, with the three course option: 105 euros.
I will return!