Nando Italian Bistro, nestled in the Westervilla in Amsterdam, recently opened its doors, bringing a fresh Italian flair to this charming location. As a fan of the previous restaurant that inhabited this space, I was curious to see what Nando would be like. The atmosphere remains as enchanting as ever, with the beautiful interior and large windows providing an inviting ambiance. However, the garden could use an overhaul to match the elegance of the interior space.
Atmosphere and Setting
The Westervilla itself is a beautiful location, perfect for a restaurant that wants to offer both style and substance. The high ceilings and large windows let in plenty of natural light, creating a warm and welcoming environment. While the garden is a beautiful element, it does need some attention to fully complement Nando’s otherwise beautiful surroundings.
The Menu
Nando Italian Bistro serves a delightful mix of brunch and dinner items. For brunch, guests can choose from a variety of sandwiches, starters, pasta dishes, main courses, and desserts. Dinner at Nando excludes the focaccia sandwiches but offers an extensive selection of starters, pasta, main dishes, and desserts. The diverse menu ensures there’s something for every palate, whether you’re stopping by for a leisurely brunch or an intimate dinner.
Service and Food
The service at Nando was efficient and friendly, making the dining experience pleasant. The food itself was good, though not exceptional. Among the many tempting options, one item particularly caught our eye: a pasta dish uniquely highlighted on the menu. Unlike the other items listed in a standard greyish color, this pasta was in orange, capital letters, and came with the enticing description “prepared in the big parmesan cheese wheel.”
The Parmesan Wheel Pasta Experience
Given the special treatment this pasta received on the menu, we had high expectations. We expected a preparation at the table, as we had experienced in other restaurants where the pasta was theatrically thrown into a giant parmesan wheel in front of the guests’ eyes. Unfortunately, this was not the case at Nando. While the menu said “prepared in the giant parmesan wheel,” the dish was brought to us already prepared. Because of this discrepancy, we were a little disappointed. The distinct colors and special description on the menu led us to believe it would be a more interactive and unique experience, but obviously they did not describe this exactly.
Final Thoughts
Despite the minor setback with the parmesan pasta, our overall experience at Nando Italian Bistro was enjoyable. The restaurant has potential, with its beautiful location and promising menu. Service was good and the food, while not exceptional, was satisfying. A little tweaking, especially in how certain dishes are presented and perhaps some attention to the garden, could take Nando from good to great.
If you’re looking for a new brunch or dinner spot in Amsterdam, Nando Italian Bistro is worth a visit. The blend of Italian cuisine in the atmospheric Westervilla makes for a delightful dining experience. With a few improvements, Nando could easily become a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
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Review: 7.8/10
Price / Quality: 8 | Service: 8 | Atmosphere: 8 | Originality: 6 | Freshness: 9 | Choice: 8
