Restaurant RED Amsterdam - Where Tournedos & Kreeft Meets

In a stylishly retro and dramatic setting along Keizersgracht stands a cozy Parisian inspired unique concept bistro where quality tournedos & kreeft (steak & lobster) are served with refined champagne and wine, Restaurant RED Amsterdam won’t disappoint. mylifestylenews writes.

Dining out in Amsterdam is never dull and there are many places to eat with choices to spoil and you have to split them between the typical tourist haunts and those quality restaurants frequented by locals. Situated on one of Amsterdam’s pre-eminent canals, Restaurant RED has a prime corner location where Keizersgracht crosses the new Spiegelstraat, although this beautiful canal house exterior belies the interior design within, which is exceedingly striking and exudes much warmth especially on such a cold and wintry March evening.

Within walking distance of the major theaters of Amsterdam and minutes away from the Museumkwartier, Restaurant RED is the hotspot in the heart of Amsterdam most frequented by the culinary lovers to please their palate with tournedos and lobster aka surf & turf accompanied by some good and international rare fine wines as well as champagne for over a decade.

On arrival, upon lifting the thick red velvet curtain after pushing the glass door from the corner entrance of Spiegelstraat, the mystery secret unveils itself in a clearer form with full attention immediately being drawn to the gigantic ceiling pop art photography art work featuring a glittered eye shadow woman's face blowing the bubble gum covering her entire mouth catching the eyes the moment you step into Restaurant RED. The art work is an absolutely highlight and chattering about it at once before you were being seated.

Artistically designed and unconventional, the dining room is not big and noticeably dark in its key elements of murky green wall coverings with dark red velvet drapery at the entrance. The elegant dining room adorned with strikingly large convex mirrors and zebra-print rugs over the parquet flooring creates a hint of a Parisian boudoir feel with a little whimsy here and there. The dim lighting is cleverly used to accentuate in contrast and help to create a much more chic, and sassy mood to the entire ambience.

With being surprised by its theatric and dramatic interior and a couple of artistic paintings hanging at the end of the wall and along the bathroom entrance, there is also a mixture of different marble and wooden tabletops contrasting the cane chairs and retro vintage velvety lounge chairs as well as a central line of dining tables that separates both the left and right dining section.

This restaurant is part of a group that has been operating establishments in Amsterdam for 21 years, although Restaurant RED is relatively new in the group, but is already well settled and renowned for its hospitality service. The front of house team is led by Zoe – our wait staff really knows how to welcome you and take you through the menu.

<Half Lobster with Lime Mayonnaise>

We started with the half lobster with lime laying on a bed of Romain lettuce and topped with a wedge of lemon. The lobster is served warm and yet not taking over the taste of the sea which was quite tasty and fresh. The chunky piece of lobster meat was well accompanied by the herbs and lime dressing. Less is certainly more and simply delicious.

<Foie Gras Terrine on Brioche Bread>

This classic, rich, duck liver terrine served with roasted garlic was unctuous and so moreish. The generous portion also came with red pepper and green herbs with three big pieces of warm brioche bread which were totally divine and with rustic farm house senses on the palate that was beyond our expectations.

<Cornish Hen with Thyme and Lemon>

A perfectly cooked bird with so much flavour, the meat was tender, juicy and moist at the cut of a knife. The hen may look small from its size but with an unexpectedly large amount of meat. Authentically presented on a wooden board with a sprig of rosemary, a wedge of lemon and salt and pepper to taste, not forgetting the infamous big fat Dutch frittes which is an absolute must. We had a bottle of Spanish Rioja Marqués de Cáceres Excellens Reserva for its ruby red deep concentration with a touch of mineral. The blueberries, cherries, cassis, licorice, vanilla, black pepper and dark chocolate complex palette with a hint of spiciness goes well with most barbecue meats. Quite an elegant long finish wine!

<Ribeye Black Angus 600gr for 2>

 This was originally 900 gram and then the bone is removed. You have a choice of sauces and we opted for the BBQ salsa for a change. This was amazing value for such a superb round thick cut of meat from a fillet of beef and the charred exterior was to die for. The BBQ salsa sauce was rich and very tasty, but the meat equally good without…a carnivore’s delight!  All the main courses in Restaurant RED are being prepared in the “Josper” charcoal oven, a robust charcoal grill and closed barbecue that reaches up to 400 degrees Celsius that are being cauterized and roasted in perfect circulation of hot air.

Big fat Dutch frittes

<Dessert – Death by Chocolate>

Love the name by just looking at it! This decadent chocolate lava cake accompanied by a large scoop of caramel sea salt ice cream is simply a wonderful rendition of a classic chocolate dessert. More than just a chocolate fondant and forget about the singular components, just combine and you are in heaven! Sinfully Yours!

The kitchen has nailed all the food and the Ribeye Black Angus was the highlight, with such quality of ingredients and perfection of cooking. While there might not be a huge variety of steak options, what they do offer is the best of the best – or as they say, less is more – and they focus on what they do best. Restaurant RED is a chic and friendly bistronomique that will please everyone, but make no mistake as the chef is serious about quality and is not pandering to the simplest common denominator. Eating something nice is always a pleasure when you travel to a foreign country, but the evening exceeded our expectations, our taste buds reached a higher elevation and we left thinking that dining out is still about being excited with the unknown.

Tried & Tested:

Location: 5/5

Design & Decor: 4.5/5

Food & Beverage: 4.5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Value For Money: 5/5

Experience: 5/5

Restaurant RED Amsterdam

Keizersgracht 594,
1017 EN Amsterdam 
Netherlands

Tel: +31 20 320 1824

Reviews are based on actual day of visit and experience. mylifestylenews reserves the right of final decision in case of any disputes. All images are photographed by mylifestylenews team without any photoshop enhancement and are the property owned by mylifestylenews unless otherwise stated.