Some days ago hubby and I visited one of the leading restaurants in Holland. We had dinner at La Rive which has been awarded a Michelin Star and serves French-Mediterranean delicacies. La Rive is located in the five star Amstel Hotel.
I had received in December 2008 a voucher from my work, as a Christmas present. It consisted in dinner for two with wine arrangement at La Rive and it should be booked up to beginning of June. Spring was just perfect time for sitting outside and have some rose wine. We started with this combination of nibbles below: a kroepoek of manioc and parmesan cheese, curry mini cones with salm and caviar and the mini bacon rollades with two types of mousses. Work of art !
Deep fried tomatoes in a crust with a ginger caramel followed.
The third starter consisted of delicate pieces of fruit-de-mer served in a shell and with asperge mousse and olive oil scented with lemmon.
We were then invited to enter the salon and had a table next to the window. It was wonderful to look into outside and see people in their boats passing by. Time for foie gras, two different sorts of pates and chutneys with a very good baked bread.
Below: fish with spinazie and asperge. Hubby and me we disagree about the fish names. Sorry, but I am not a food critic and this is not a restaurant review. Therefore do not take my text in this blog so serious.
Below: a shrimp with sweet peas puree. Fantastic !
Main course: roe deer.
Main course: roe deer.
The service was superb without excessive formality. Not too quick, not too slow. We were pampered just in the right measure. In the picture sommelier Mr. Ted Bunnick. He did not mind to be in our photos ! Have I mentioned before that we had beautiful views of the Amstel ?
Amuse served before the dessert:
The lovely dessert: une fête en rouge ! Red fruits and white chocolate.
And also mignardises and macarons with the coffee.
Every dish was in perfect balance, delicate, tasty and in perfect combination with the wines. The evening we visited La Rive all tables were occupied. The clients were some couples in love, businessmen and a small group of Americans. I guess everyone with a thick wallet. If you would like to visit the Amstel another (less expensive) option is to have afternoon tea there in the conservatory. The sphere is very elegant anyway.
If you wish to know more click here (in English) for a full description of the menu and wine cellar. Or visit their site: http://www.restaurantlarive.nl/ 
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