Must-go: former De Librije sommelier opens his own place in Amsterdam
What do you think: if the man who was a sommelier at De Librije for eight years opens his own wine bar/restaurant – would you want to go there? Of course, so would we! Especially when the promise is that this will be the place to go if you’re a seasoned wine lover, but also if you’re an enthusiastic beginner, according to sommelier and co-owner Sabas Joosten.
Together with two other owners, who, like him, come from top hospitality establishments, Joosten will open wine bar/restaurant Sinck at Prinsengracht 422 in Amsterdam in November. The aim is to create an accessible setting where the impressive gastronomic experience the three of them have gained comes to the fore in every aspect.
Hospitality
Experienced host and co-owner Timo van der Stad, who previously worked in the kitchen before switching to ‘the front of house’, is fully ready to share his enthusiasm and spontaneity. He strives for ‘attentive service with care delivered in a casual, open and relaxed way’. We all know how wonderful it is when a host really makes you feel at ease in a restaurant, and how important that is for a great evening, so that’s a lovely ambition!
Restaurant
The restaurant will occupy two floors, with the bel étage becoming the restaurant. Chef Sander Bierenbroodspot, who is joining from De Vrienden van Jacob in Santpoort, where he was chef de cuisine, will lead the kitchen. His vision is ‘an honest cuisine with well-executed preparations and beautiful sauces’, with, of course, plenty of attention to wine and food pairings: dishes that go well with the wines. And what makes us especially cheerful is that the price for three courses will be under forty euros. That might leave room for another bottle!
Wines
Because those wines are, of course, also the stars of the show. After eight years in a three-star restaurant, Sabas Joosten certainly knows his way around, and the fun part is that he plans to offer an affordable wine list with many wines available by the glass. That’s a great way to discover what you like, and if it also comes with lovely dishes, you’ve got yourself a perfect evening.
The venue’s showstopper will be a beautiful wine room: a climate-controlled space where all the wines are kept at their ideal storage temperature, so they can be served at the perfect temperature. If you’re coming for the wine bar, you’ll take a seat in the basement, which will be furnished with inviting seating areas and a bar so comfortable that, according to the owners, you won’t want to leave. You can order snacks or small bar dishes from Sander’s menu, or stop by for a glass before or after your meal in the restaurant.
PS (Only) the name of the restaurant has changed; it was previously called Stuyver and is now called Sinck. sinckamsterdam.nl
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