Steven B.
Yelp
Was walking around Amsterdam, seeing the sights, hearing the sounds, that perfumey skunk smell in my nostrils. Dismayed by the looks of the touristy restaurants, I hit the back alleys in search of a hidden gem.
This is how I found Kagmaan and Koretakas.
Was seated at the bar and started off with bread and beer.
Bread has perfect soft texture. Great crust. Butter is very creamy.
Beverges:
Double Saison
Excellent subtle notes. Thin mouthfeel. Slight creaminess. Very smooth and good beer.
Gulpener
Superb Pilsner. No astringency. Smooth, smooth, smooth. Each gulp is as refreshing as the last.
Pre-meal snack
The centerpiece of this dish is the slice of mackerel in the clamshell, sitting in a pool of green chive oil. Mackerel is very fresh and soft. Good flavor and nicely accompanied by chive oil.
A single piece of fried pork skin is the companion to the mackerel. Pork skin is crunchy. Fresh whole grain mustard and mayonnaise are fitting pairings. Although the mackerel and pork skin being served together is an odd couple, each seems fine by itself.
1st dish
A chilled dish of rabbit and berries. Gel pate. But rabbit meat was cold and very tender, soft and delicate. Goes well with berries and the pate. Orange berries have unique and vibrant flavor in contrast with the rabbit.
2nd dish
A sunflower themed dish. Sunflower seeds and kohlrabi. Roasted sunflower seeds. Roasted kohlrabi. Sunflower seed paste/butter. Cubes of molten gouda. Sunflower seed oil drizzle to finish. Some fried kohlrabi greens lends nuance. A rich but complex nuanced dish. Salty sweet savory. Thick rich mouthfeel.
3rd dish
Jerusalem artichoke. Salty. Vinegar. Fried oyster interesting but the cream/foam was too salty and acidic. The mushroom was excellent tho.
4th dish
Veal. I think this might be the liver of a calf as the meat has a strong bitter undertone. Sauce has a smoked--peppery--alcoholic quality. Young apples soaked in alcohol are interesting.
5th course
Partridge. Foie gras. Something stuffed with nuts and peppercorns. The meat was not as flavorful as I would have liked. Surprisingly mild flavor. Thick brown sauce lends a smokiness. I felt like this last dish faltered on the meat, which lacked flavor and texture.
Dessert
Baked pear. Fennel. Lavender ice cream. Chocolate sauce. Meringue. Pear has been baked and cooled to a perfect texture. Not too mushy. Just enough firmness. The ice cream is more like gelato? Very dense. Not creamy more thin consistency. Which balances well with he thick and rich and creamy chocolate sauce. Texture of the ice cream just very smooth tho. A little gelatinous. Floral lavender taste
A unique and inventive meal. Kaagman and Kortekaas was worth the detour.