Sleek Restaurants of Amsterdam: Envy

[Envy of Amsterdam]

Close to the shopping streets of Negen Straatjes (9 Streets) and not too far from the Anne Frank Museum is the strategically located Envy, the talk of the town when it first opened a few years ago. One can never fail to notice the bar-restaurant's chicness as you walk past its glass-paned premises with immediate views of its busy open kitchen and Tom Dixon's installation of mirror ball pendants. The narrow and dark space concept was developed by the creative team at Concrete, known for their astounding designs in the city for places like the funky Supperclub, the renowned caterer AMAISON's concept store and De Lairesse pharmacy.

[Intimate dining at Envy's bar]

With a changing menu based on the fresh ingredients like Italian cheeses and prosciutto di Parma air-flown daily, the food is served a-la-delicatessen in small portions with very refined ingredients. The last time we were there for lunch, I had a lobster bisque and a veal salad and they were wonderful. It's one of those places that you pay for the ambiance and the foofoo-ness of the food, but it won't necessarily fill you up. (In Spanish, you say "pica-pica" for something like that - grazing.)

In the know:
Envy
Prinsengracht 381, Amsterdam
Reservations: 020 344 64 07