Restaurant review: De Wallen at the Amsterdam Kitchen and Bar
Bask in the garish red lights of De Wallen at the Amsterdam Kitchen and Bar.
The pink-and-blue interiors of the restaurant recreate the kitschy feel of De Wallen
In Delhi but yearning to escape to Europe? Hop across to the newest joint in town for a glimpse of all that De Wallen stands for. Tucked away in Saket's DLF South Court mall, the Amsterdam Kitchen and Bar recreates the kitschy atmosphere of the Netherlands' notorious red-light destination through small details - almost to the point where you start expecting rows of dancing girls to turn up at the table. The music is largely techno, and on the walls - under a neon signboard declaring 'XXX Shop' - hang huge posters of blood red lips puckered up to kiss away any pretension of civility under your skin.
After you have feasted your eyes on the surroundings - complete with bedroom-styled furniture, rows of ultra-Dutch wooden clogs, a vintage bicycle and a typical De Wallen lamppost - you sit down and glance through the bar menu. In the cocktails section, the title of each alcoholic beverage - starting with Fore Play and ending with Orgasm - subscribes to the restaurant's raunchy theme. My companion and I, however, opted for the more modestly named Bhuban's Red Passion Levitation and Cool as Cucumber respectively.
To begin, we nibbled on an assortment of delectable bites - tomato and feta bruschetta; spinach florets topped with melt-in-the-mouth shitake and pine nuts and stuffed veg skewers - all on a single platter. The spinach florets turned out to be our pick of the lot.
Moving on to the main course, we ordered peppercrusted tenderloin steak (done medium-rare) and slowcooked shanks of lamb, served with cous cous and warm vegetables. The steak was cooked to perfection - with a warm red centre - and the gravy accentuated the flavour of the meat, instead of masking it. The slow-cooked shanks of lamb were succulent, and a subtly spiced gravy accompanied the cous cous. Chocolate waffles for dessert provided the perfect ending to a memorable evening of kitsch. A paradijs to hang with colleagues after a week that's been hell at the desk.
Recommended: Spinach florets, Pepper-crusted tenderloin steak
Meal for two (alcohol extra) Rs 1,200
(91) 9810111534
After you have feasted your eyes on the surroundings - complete with bedroom-styled furniture, rows of ultra-Dutch wooden clogs, a vintage bicycle and a typical De Wallen lamppost - you sit down and glance through the bar menu. In the cocktails section, the title of each alcoholic beverage - starting with Fore Play and ending with Orgasm - subscribes to the restaurant's raunchy theme. My companion and I, however, opted for the more modestly named Bhuban's Red Passion Levitation and Cool as Cucumber respectively.
The tomato and feta bruschetta
Moving on to the main course, we ordered peppercrusted tenderloin steak (done medium-rare) and slowcooked shanks of lamb, served with cous cous and warm vegetables. The steak was cooked to perfection - with a warm red centre - and the gravy accentuated the flavour of the meat, instead of masking it. The slow-cooked shanks of lamb were succulent, and a subtly spiced gravy accompanied the cous cous. Chocolate waffles for dessert provided the perfect ending to a memorable evening of kitsch. A paradijs to hang with colleagues after a week that's been hell at the desk.
Recommended: Spinach florets, Pepper-crusted tenderloin steak
Meal for two (alcohol extra) Rs 1,200
(91) 9810111534
