La Rive

Description:

• Embedded in the stellar Amstel Hotel and cradling a Michelin star, La Rive is Amsterdam's high temple of culinary art. Ace chef Rogér Rassin combines French cuisine with influences from around the Mediterranean and farther afield. Royalty, leading politicians, showbiz stars, and captains of industry dine here -- and you need not even rub shoulders with them, so discretely spaced are the tables. The dining room overlooks the Amstel River through tall French windows, and in summer it opens onto a waterside terrace. Cherry-paneled walls punctuated with tall book-filled cabinets suggest a private library called into service for a dinner party. The menu changes seasonally, so I can't guarantee the presence of palate-pleasers like the grilled baby abalone with citrus-pickled onion purée and garlic juice, the turbot and truffles with trimmings, or the grill-roasted rack of lamb with dates and Zaanse mustard, but no doubt something appropriate will replace them. The service, while impeccable, manages to keep on the right side of stuffy. The wine list is formidable, dessert pastries are luscious, and a chef's table caters to passionate foodies.

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2009
•  Very Highly Recommended 2010