De Silveren Spiegel

I was lucky enough to have a lovely trip to Amsterdam with my mother this December half term. She'd just turned 60 and wanted to celebrate. I promised to take her out to dinner while we were there, and we stumbled across de Silveren Spiegel by chance. And we were glad we did.

We had been thinking of checking out Gaucho's Argentinean Steak House (which was recommended elsewhere on ciao) and weren't too inspired by the look of it. On turning round, we spotted a tiny, leaning, old-looking building nearby, apparently a restaurant, and looking very attractive. We wandered over, the menu looked good (if pricey) and we went in there instead.

De Silveren Spiegel (literally "the silver mirror") is a gourmet restaurant within a pair of step-gabled houses built in 1614. The original owner was a Laurens Spieghel, and used a pun of his name to call his house "the silver mirror". His coat of arms, a silver and a gold mirror, still hangs on the front of the building. The building itself leans forward, in the manner of most Amsterdam houses, not because of subsidence, but because it was built in that way originally. Apparently this meant that heavy loads and furniture could be hoisted into the upstairs windows without the facade of the building being damaged

On entering the restaurant, there is a small bar area, with an open log fire and lots of dark oak panelling. We waited there for a few minutes while we were found a table - and were made to feel very welcome by the waitress (who was apparently the part-owner). She offered us some Dutch wine (I never knew there was such a thing, but it was very nice indeed).

The dining area is small, being the living room of the former house. There was another large stone fireplace, although not lit this time) and more oak beams on the ceiling. There was also the original staircase from 1614 - a tiny, narrow spiral affair, in the corner of the room. There were six or seven tables - the restaurant really does feel exclusive - and all were occupied. I must admit that the appearance was stunning - candlelight, cut glass and fresh flowers. This would be an ideal place for a romantic dinner for a couple. I believe there is a separate dining room for groups and banquets upstairs.

The menu was different from most I have seen. There were quite a few unusual Dutch specialities that I would hesitate to try (eels, pigs' trotters, that kind of thing) but there was also a good range of more "normal" food. The vegetarian choices weren't too varied, unless you are a fish-eater. The restaurant has a set 5 course meal available for 50 Euros, or for 75 Euros with a different wine with each course. Having experienced a restaurant with far too much to eat the previous night, we doubted that we could eat five courses, so we opted to choose separate dishes from the menu.

Before our starters arrived, we were brought a complimentary mini-starter of hot mustard soup. This was in a tiny jar-type container, very unusual and beautifully presented. I'm not much of a mustard fan, but this soup was like nothing I have ever tasted: creamy, velvety and with grains of delicate mustard seeds. It was only a small portion, which was just as well. I doubt I'd have wanted too much of this, as the taste was beautiful, but quite rich.

The real starters arrived, again, beautifully presented. Mine was duck stuffed with almond paste: very delicate slivers of duck breast, with a nutty, crunchy pâté-like stuffing. There was an apple sauce with this, and wild mushrooms. I can't remember exactly what they'd done to all of these, but I do remember that the duck was the best I've ever tasted - not at all greasy, and full of flavour. My mother's starter was a crab and scallop salad - she said it was delicious, and it certainly looked it.

The main courses were even better: I decided to go for turbot with sauerkraut and potatoes, and mum had roast duck with various vegetables. I'd never had turbot before, but it was a lovely firm fish, buttery and spiced. The sauerkraut was amazing - without any sour vinegar taste, but sweet and creamy. My mother's duck was again delicious, and the thyme potatoes that came with it were out of this world.

There were so many different tastes that were familiar, but unusual, and we kept pestering the waiter and asking about the recipes. However, he was thoroughly charming and pleasant, always helpful and willing to talk about the food. I think he was enjoying practicing his English (which was excellent).

We talked each other into having a dessert, and had a spice cake with ginger and basil ice cream. The cake itself was a very thin slice of striped cake, with delicate pale green scoops of ice cream. Despite the cake being so small, it was just the right amount, as it was rich and full of cinnamon and spices. The ice cream was totally unusual and original, and complemented the cake perfectly.

With our coffee we were brought home-made petits-fours. Although I thought I'd burst, I managed to scoff two, and again, they were simply stunning.

The meal itself was quite extraordinary. I've never eaten food of this quality before, and though I was a bit frightened by the prices on the menu, once I'd tasted the food I decided it was well worth the high cost. The service was friendly and helpful, and not at all rushed. We felt like honoured guests, and were able to really take our time enjoying the meal and the atmosphere. The fact that we ate slowly, and had time between courses, meant that we really savoured our food, and allowed it to settle between courses. It made me realised how rushed we all are usually, and how important it is to take more time enjoying things sometimes.

Our meal came to over 140 Euros, and once we'd added a generous tip we'd spent (or more precisely I'd spent) over £110. In the cold light of day I'd never have imagined being happy to pay that much for a meal for two, but it seemed completely worth it, as I'd enjoyed the meal so much.

I have no idea what the nutritional value of the meal was - probably far too much butter and cream than is good for you, but who cares when it tastes this good? The waiter assured me that all the ingredients were local produce and organic, and that they only used fresh, seasonal produce. Apparently the menu varies all year, depending on what is available.

If you are in Amsterdam, and not on a tight budget, I can recommend de Silveren Spiegel to anyone who fancies a delicious, high quality meal in luxurious surroundings, especially if you are celebrating something special
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elanor - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

The owner of this traditional old restaurant, one of the best known in Amsterdam, has introduced a fresh approach. The two houses that form the premises were built in 1614 for a wealthy soap maker, Laurens Jansz Spieghel. It's typical Old Dutch inside, with a bar downstairs and dining rooms where bedrooms used to be. The whole place emanates a traditional Dutch tidiness that's very welcoming. There's a garden in back, and adjacent is the 17th-century, domed Ronde Lutherse Kerk (Round Lutheran Church). The menu has been updated and now offers finely prepared seafood and meat dishes such as baked sole filets with wild spinach, and trilogy of lamb with ratatouille -- but just as in the old days, the lamb, from Texel, is still Holland's finest. Be sure to try the traditional Zaanse mustard.
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Richard Cambell - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

This place is very visible in Amsterdam because the owner has a good sense of marketing and promotion but you should definitely avoid this place for several reasons :

- Prices are very high compared to low quality of the food

- Service is arguable and you always need to ask twice to get served

- The place is very small and they tend to have much too many tables

- The owner only accept Credit Cards when it suits him, that is not very often. He prefers cash for some reasons...

I went there to celebrate new Years Eve with my fiancee and that was among the worst experience in a would be good restaurant.
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Monday, January 07, 2008