Located near Amsterdam’s Central Station on Revaeiland, Vessel is a fine spot for those looking to enjoy the morning sun or cool off in the afternoon. This bustling location has a sprawling restaurant with an inviting interior and a large terrace, perfect for enjoying a relaxing day out.
Drinks:
One of Vessel’s highlights is its impressive drink menu.Whether you’re a wine connoisseur, cocktail fanatic or beer lover, Vessel has something for everyone.
The extensive wine list, cocktails and a selection of beers ensure that your taste buds are well taken care of. In addition, the service for drinks is prompt and attentive. During our visit, we did not have to wait long for our glasses to be refilled. The staff kept a close eye on our table and made sure we didn’t lack anything.
Service:
The service at Vessel started out on a high note. The initial interactions were pleasant, with the staff being attentive and courteous. However, things took a turn once we ordered our food.
Our order included steak tartare, truffle croquettes, bitterballen, and a steak. After waiting for over an hour, we inquired about the delay. One of the waitresses admitted that she had forgotten to relay our order to the kitchen, promising it would be ready in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the end of the issues. We had also ordered a new bottle of wine, which hadn’t arrived either, due to another oversight by the waitress.
When our food finally arrived, the steak, which had been requested medium-rare, was served medium-well. When we pointed this out, we received a somewhat defensive response asking them to check the steak one more time before sending it back to the kitchen “For nothing.” This was an unusual response, as customer satisfaction should always take priority. In the end, it was confirmed that the steak was indeed way overcooked.
Given the delays and errors, we asked that the steak be removed from our bill. The staff, acknowledging the earlier mistakes, complied by removing both the steak and a bottle of wine from our bill, which we appreciated as a fair gesture.
Food:
The food at Vessel left much to be desired. The truffle croquettes, though freshly made, lacked the signature truffle flavor. The croquettes were tasty and well prepared and were one of the better “dishes” we tried. However, the steak tartare was underwhelming in terms of portion size and the addition of red cabbage was an unusual choice that didn’t quite complement the dish.
Final Thoughts: Great for Drinks and Atmosphere, Not for Food
Vessel in Amsterdam offers a fantastic ambiance with a lovely terrace and an impressive drinks menu. It’s an ideal spot to unwind with friends or enjoy a leisurely afternoon by the water. However, the dining experience was marred by service hiccups and inconsistent food quality. If you’re planning to visit Vessel, we recommend sticking to the drinks and soaking in the atmosphere, but perhaps looking elsewhere for a satisfying meal.
In conclusion, while Vessel holds promise with its beautiful setting and delightful drinks, the kitchen and service need to step up to make it a truly exceptional dining destination. We hope our next visit finds these improvements in place, transforming Vessel into the gem it has the potential to be.
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Review: 6.2/10
Price / Quality: 4 | Service: 6 | Atmosphere: 9 | Originality: 6 | Freshness: 6 | Choice: 6.5
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