Wine bar: Alex+Pinard
At the new Alex+Pinard wine bar on Dapperstraat in Amsterdam East, the wine list is enormous and the menu small but perfectly formed. FavorFlav stopped by to taste.
The place has a beautifully understated interior, and as soon as you walk in, the marble-topped bar catches your eye. At the front, around the bar, are high tables that are perfect for drinks and snacks. If you prefer something more intimate, or simply want to sit at a low table, take a seat at the back.
Natural wines
We go for a high table with a view of the bar and start with an Italian sparkling wine. For a natural wine—which is what mainly features on the list here—it is very full and rich in flavour. A very good start. The seasoned wine-list reader will probably enjoy working their way through the beautiful list of wines, but we let the staff surprise us all evening. And it turns out very well.
Bar menu plus
The menu fits on half an A4 sheet and consists of elevated bar snacks. Bread with butter, oysters, cheese and a fantastic charcuterie board are all on it. Alongside these are a small number of starter-sized dishes, as well as a burger that could leave you completely satisfied in one go.
Fermented chives
We try the roasted beetroot with hazelnuts and a horseradish cream that is both rich and light at the same time—seriously delicious. The fermented chives sprinkled over the dish finish it off. I had never eaten fermented chives before, but they are wonderfully salty and I now want them on all my food. On fried potatoes or a cheese sandwich, for example.
Sole and cider
The sole with piment d’espelette (smoked paprika) is cooked to perfection, wonderfully buttery and served with an excellent accompanying cider. A combination I would never have thought of myself, but as soon as we taste it, it feels completely logical. The brioche with homemade confit de canard and garlic mayonnaise is packed with flavour. This sandwich, together with the chocolate ganache with olive oil and sea salt, ensures that we stagger home round as barrels.
No fuss
From the interior to the food, Alex+Pinard does not do fuss, and I am happy about that. The food is simple but hugely flavourful and surprising too (shall we talk about the fermented chives again?). Whether you fancy a beautiful glass at the bar, a hearty burger or a four-course meal by ordering a selection of individual dishes, anything goes here, and we are already looking forward to our next visit.
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