Restaurant 212 is located in the heart of Amsterdam in The Netherlands. It is housed in a small and discrete building on the picturesque Amstel street – number 212 – surrounded by Amsterdam’s famous canals. Many of the main attractions of Amsterdam are located nearby. Restaurant 212 is the new project from famous Dutch Chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot and together they created one of the first real fine-dining counter restaurants in Amsterdam.

The restaurant has thirty seats, of which twenty-four counter seats and one table of six. All of them are literally located next (or inside) the kitchen. The interior of the restaurant is revolutionary for Amsterdam but perfectly fits in the contemporary international fine-dining trends. Wood and grey colours are combined with smooth lines and dimmed lights. It is minimalistic yet warm and all the attention is drawn to the open kitchen and the dishes in front of you. High chairs are placed strategically around the kitchen, providing great views on the chefs at work, but also some privacy for small groups. The atmosphere is laid-back and contemporary and lovers of jazz, chill-out and deep house music will definitely be satisfied. The setting invites to socialise with the other guests and the chefs. A unique, interactive restaurant in the centre of Amsterdam!

Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot met at the kitchen of restaurant Envy and cooked together at the impeccable restaurant Bord’eau, both also located in the centre of Amsterdam. At Bord’eau, the two chefs used French techniques and exquisite ingredients to offer their guests an indulging gourmet experience. They gained two Michelin stars within a few years’ time. Before Bord’eau, Richard and Thomas both gained international experience in cities like Paris and Hong Kong and the result of those experiences can now be discovered at their new restaurant.

At 212, their cooking style is more creative and more dynamic than before. They now work with a constantly changing menu and many international products. The two chefs created an environment where the team can think outside the box and constantly push their limits. Less rules, more experience – that’s the motto here! Good examples of their cooking style include a delicious snack ‘chicken pie with liquid shiso’, a starter with crab from the North sea, combined with mushrooms, herbs, and a sauce of sweetbread, or a main course based on deer with green pepper and green olive, Lardo di Colonnata and crispy olive kernels. Creativity is also important in the desserts, where we particularly enjoyed a dish with flambéed cherries combined with smokey bourbon and burnt lemon.

The wines are presented by Richard’s partner Daphne Oudshoorn, who also gained experience at Bord’eau. At 212, guest can choose more than 200 wines by the glass. Daphne suggests a selection of wines with the dishes – and her pairings are excellent – but guests can choose all wines on the wine menu by the glass. A very interesting extra experience indeed. Service in the restaurant is laid-back and all of the chefs serve their own dishes to the guests.

Restaurant 212 is a unique counter restaurant in the center of one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot created a contemporary restaurant where they serve refined, creative dishes with international influences. The atmosphere is dynamic and no less than 200 wines are served by the glass. What are you waiting for?

The Restaurant

The Food

The Chefs

Written by Sven & Frank