Ode Aan De Amstel - Amsterdam

Let me see: pull up to a bar/restaurant on the Amsteldijk. Be greeted by beautiful bartenders and servers. Have delicious food and drinks. Sit on the balcony watching the water and boaters float by. Have a hell of a time enjoying the moment. Yeah, you could say I'm a fan of Riva. Get there. Like, yesterday.

The location is a bit hidden for non-insiders of Amsterdam, but worth taking a detour for. This trendy restaurant on the bank of the Amstel river close to Amstel station has a beautiful view over the river and serves high quality food. It is very spacious and light due to the large windows on both floors. It has a terrace at the waterfront and the building itself has a very modern design. The service is friendly and professional. I enjoyed a good meal with a group of colleagues, starting with a warm Iberico procureur which was not the regular starter. Then I continued with a salmon filet accompanied by a fine selection of vegetables and quinoa with an expressive dressing. The diner was rounded off by a sublime cheesecake desert served in a bowl, a piece of art in itself. I would definitely recommend this place for a business diner or lunch, but also very suitable if you want to impress your loved one with a nice dinner in a trendy place.

This is my work local and can I just say? With a view like this, I'm surprised not more people come by to visit! I suppose because it's in a weird little pocket slightly out of the way, and local dammers just have other places to be! The food they serve here is modern European, and while some items are on the pricey side from first glance don't let that dissuade you, you can pop in for a lunch and sneak out having only paid €10 or less. I've also been here for dinner and they dish up a tasty seared steak and fish! Food aside, their snack and drink menu is also pretty top notch! I love their gyoza and edamame options which is a nice switch from the usual Dutch fair (but you can still order those too). Add that to the view of the Amstel, sipping cocktails here on a sunny afternoon is everything! The only bad thing is not being able to book a table if you're just having snacks and drinks... however the staff are usually super accommodating and I've never been turned away. All in all, I would recommend you stop in for one or two and judge for yourself when the weather finally behaves!

As promised, I went back to Riva, I must say, it is not just a pretty plate. Our fabuloso waiter Timothy shed some lights for us. Apparently the restaurant owner loves to play with his food. the menu changes periodically and it is always interesting. if you like beef, chicken, fish in the traditional way, this is not the place for you, however if you want to explore your taste bud while your other senses are tickled this is the place. Don 't be shy, have a starter, order something surprising on the menu. Will I go back: of course, now I am very curios to what his summer menu will have. Recommendation pretty much high on my list. Don 't forget to humanize your waiters, always ask his/her name. (Small chats will lead to great things)

The gnocchi was amazing probably one of the best I've had in years, the mix of beetroot, cheese, nuts and salad was perfect. Sadly I didn't get the chance to try the desserts that looked amazing but will consider making a trip back another day. Worth a visit for sure as prices are quite reasonable considering the location and quality of food. Everyone else really enjoyed their meals also.