Delivery review: Pikoteo’s delivered meal
During this crazy coronavirus period, restaurants are closed, so we’re enjoying eating out at home. Fortunately, many new and special delivery and takeaway restaurants are joining the scene. And we’re going to test them for you. That way, we can keep eating well and support the hospitality industry. Today: Pikoteo in Amsterdam.
Piko, qué?
Pikoteo is a neighborhood taberna in Amsterdam’s Zeeheldenbuurt, where you can eat fantastic Spanish dishes. Tapas with a twist. On the lovely terrace or in the colorful conservatory. I remember the delicious tortilla, heavenly tuna and squid. But here, you don’t eat before having a fantastic cocktail made by one of Amsterdam’s best and most congenial bartenders: Florian Stallinga. The name of the bar-restaurant may sound like a second-rate summer hit, but Picotear means nibbling, so pikoteo is something along the lines of ‘I nibble,’ but modern. Get it?
The menu
You can choose from dishes such as Spanish omelet, a drinks platter, slow-cooked Iberico ribs or Galician octopus. Although I was in the mood for various tapas, the prices suggest that the portions are large, so we’ll stick to a Valencian paella and sourdough bread with aioli. The cocktail menu is tempting, with classics such as a Dark & Stormy and Moscow Mule. The addition of Spanish beers such as Estrella and San Miguel is amusing.
The delivery
Enjoy your meal, the delivery driver cheerfully says. Thumbs up. The bag says Enjoy with a smiley face. ‘Thanks for ordering and supporting us in this difficult time, we truly appreciate that,’ begins a sweet note, dated Amsterdam, quarantine times, 2020. The paella is packed in a sturdy see-through container and is still at a lovely temperature.
And? And?
Paella Valenciana is traditionally prepared with rabbit, chicken, snails, sausage and green peas. In this version, the yellow rice is topped only with strips, and the peas have been replaced by sliced broad beans. Fortunately, the rice cooked in vegetable and chicken stock tastes wonderfully creamy and full-bodied, and it feels as though I’m in Barcelona. Aioli is served with the paella, which isn’t really necessary for me, because the paella and chicken are far from dry. But it tastes delicious with the freshly baked bread.
Should Pikoteo join us at the table more often?
Yes. Next time, we’ll also order cocktails, and I’d like to try many more dishes. That’s more fun when you’re with several people, because sharing is rather lonely by yourself and you quickly end up spending a small fortune. And I’m looking forward to the time when the restaurants reopen and we can enjoy the view over the Houthavens and nibble and chat shamelessly until we’re mercilessly swept off the terrace. Until then, you can have it delivered. The paella costs 18 euros, by the way, and cocktails are 11 euros.
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