Exploring Troef in Amsterdam: A Mixed Dining Experience
Located near Amstel Station, Troef is a stylish restaurant that invites diners to enjoy a shared dining experience or opt for their own starters, mains, and desserts. We decided to go with the shared dining concept to explore a variety of dishes, which made for an evening of indulgence, curiosity, and some mixed feelings.
The Menu: A Journey Through Land and Sea
Troef’s menu leans heavily into fresh, high-quality ingredients, and we selected a mix of dishes to share:
- Escabeche of Shellfish
- Roast Beef
- Caviar
- Langoustine in Smoked Butter
- Mussel
- Smoked Dutch Eel
- Lobster
- Ribeye
- Fries on the Side
We started the meal with two types of oysters—one served cold and the other warm. While I’m typically a fan of cold oysters, I gave the warm oyster a try. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it confirmed my preference for the briny freshness of cold oysters.
Flavor Highlights (and Overlaps)
Overall, the food was undeniably of good quality, with fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation evident in every dish. Some highlights included the Langoustine in Smoked Butter, which was rich and indulgent, and the Ribeye, cooked to perfection with a deep, savory flavor.
That said, there was one recurring theme throughout the meal that became hard to ignore: the overuse of cream, sauces, and foams. While these elements were flavorful, their presence in almost every dish felt excessive. It seemed as though the kitchen had a surplus of sauce and decided to incorporate it liberally across the menu.
While the sauces were delicious, the lack of variety in preparation left me longing for a bit more creativity, considering the sauces all tasted a like. A few dishes with simpler, lighter preparations would have provided a refreshing contrast to the richness of the other offerings.
Service: A Tale of Two Experiences
The service started off on a high note. We were warmly greeted by a staff member who introduced himself and made us feel genuinely welcome. The speed of service was commendable as well, with dishes arriving promptly throughout the evening.
However, not all interactions were as smooth. One of the waitresses appeared disengaged and often unresponsive. Each time we asked her a question, she either didn’t hear or didn’t answer, leaving us with awkward silences. While it didn’t ruin the experience, it did detract from the otherwise positive start.
The Verdict
Troef offers a well-curated menu with high-quality ingredients and a focus on shared dining, which is perfect for those looking to try a bit of everything. However, the reliance on cream- and sauce-based dishes could benefit from more balance and variety.
The service was a mixed bag, with moments of warmth and efficiency contrasted by lapses in communication.
If you’re near Amstel Station and curious to try creative takes on seafood and meat, Troef is worth a visit. Just be prepared for a lot of cream and foam—and maybe stick to cold oysters!
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Review: 7.6/10
Price / Quality: 7.5 | Service: 7 | Originality: 6 | Freshness: 9 | Choice: 8.5
