Het Zuiden | Wolvenstraat 16, 1016 EP Amsterdam Tel: +31 (0) 20 6390351 email: hetzuiden@planet.nl | <*dv_3*>Nestling in a basement on Wolvenstraat, between the Herengracht and Keisergracht, Het Zuiden has a kind of 'undiscovered' quality - you wont find this place in your Clubbers Guide to Amsterdam, which is just as well. Het Zuiden oozes intimacy and warmth from the outset, with a welcome at the door from the young and friendly staff, and listening in to the conversations of the diners it's easy to see that this place is popular with the locals, which is always the best way to judge a restaurant. That isn't to say that 'foreigners' aren't the welcome, the staff speak fluent English (and not grudgingly so, as in some establishments), and conduct their service with good humour which dispels any ideas of pretension.
The menu may come across as a little fussy, but then this isn't an Angus Steak House, and the staff are on hand to tell you exactly what you will be eating and how it is prepared (the menu is also in English which helps the non-Dutch speaker, like me!) The menu is also kept manageably short, focusing on house specialities, which are a mix of traditional North European with a twist, Mediterranean and Oriental. Care is taken on the presentation of all dishes, and there is no compromise on taste, which is mouthwatering from start to finish. Topped off with a sweet which errs just the right side of rich, and Het Zuiden scores full marks for food.
Although not the cheapest menu in Amsterdam, you do get what you pay for, and the unhurried ambience makes for a thoroughly enjoyable night. The only downside I can find is the loss of Chicken Diavola from the menu - which as well as being an excellent dish, was also described as being 'cooked in hellfire', which always raised a slightly unnerved chuckle! <*dv_1*>Food:
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