Ana C.
Yelp
Aan De Poel is a 2-Michelin star restaurant located in the old part of Amstelveen, near the Gemeentehuis, and it is truly a hidden gem. Everything was amazing - the food, view, ambiance. Based on Dutch standards, it is a bit on the expensive side but having been to other Michelin star restaurants, their Chef's menu is a bargain at around 100 euros per person. I would love to come back here!
One thing that wasn't so clear from their website was whether there was a dress code - the short answer is no. The vibe is effortlessly fancy and casual at the same time. Waiters wore jeans with blazers, and the chef was walking around in sneakers.
Other notes - there is a bus (#241) that drops you off right outside. Otherwise there is plenty of parking in the surrounding area.
Food: 5/5
We had the 6 course chef's menu, and this would be my recommendation. The menu this month was focused on seafood. Each dish was delicious and beautifully presented, with interesting flavor combinations and also good serving size. Naturally, they were so delicious I could have eaten a whole pot of any of the dishes, but unlike some fancy places, I left the restaurant very full and very happy.
One fun thing is that if you order coffee or tea at the end, they roll up a cart with sweets you can choose from to go with your drink. So delicious!
Service: 4/5
The service was very good, and our waitress was very attentive. Minus 1 point here because it took a bit longer to get the bill because they were busy with a wedding reception in the back.
Atmosphere: 5/5
The restaurant is right on the water, and there is an outstanding view of the lake and sunset. I highly recommend sitting outside if it is warm.
Value: 5/5
The chef's menu was 100 euros/pp, and I think that is a bargain for the quality you get.