Perfectly shareable Mediterranean dishes at Barentsz
By Seger Abels
Barentszstraat 171, 1013 NM Amsterdam, Netherlands
BOOK NOWWhen reading about industry trends and predicted developments, one thing has been circulating for quite some time: only two types of restaurants are expected to survive in the future—big franchise chains and small individually-owned restaurants. The former thrives due to their purchasing and marketing power, while the latter, for an entirely different reason, is all about passion.
Restaurant Barentsz undeniably falls into the second category, with Esther as its guiding star. Esther, the chef and owner, boasts over 25 years of experience working in various restaurants in Amsterdam. When you decide to open your own restaurant after spending a quarter-century learning the tricks of the trade, you must be deeply passionate about what you do. This passion is palpable from the moment you step into Barentsz. The team exudes a warm welcome, making you feel at home right from the start. In the kitchen, the two chefs (Esther and Alex, as we later discovered) were visibly enjoying themselves and eagerly anticipating the evening ahead. It’s been a while since we last found ourselves working in a restaurant, but if we were in the horeca industry today, Barentsz might just be the place we’d apply to.
Barentsz specialises in Mediterranean cuisine, offering a menu filled with simple and wholesome dishes perfect for sharing. Fresh ingredients are at the heart of their culinary philosophy, and cooking in harmony with the seasons is a principle they adhere to. The menu is divided into cold and hot dishes, accompanied by a selection of extras (or sides) and delectable desserts. If you find it challenging to choose for yourself, don’t fret; you can opt for the chef’s choice and let the team curate a selection from the menu. This might become your preferred choice, as selecting from the menu can be quite a dilemma.
Something I always truly appreciated from the BAUT restaurants is the fact that they are open seven days a week, for lunch, dinner and/or just snacks and drinks with friends. People know this fact and therefore you will never be alone at BAUT. Hospitality staff also knows this and I feel this makes them want to work at BAUT and therefore the quality of the staff is always high. Win-win- win I would say.
The menu is the brainchild of Michiel van der Eerde and his team. On it some “never” changing dishes like their famous steak tartare and the oysters with beautiful toppings to choose from. Next to these signature dishes are the equally surprising dishes that do great on Instagram..
Barentsz
The Place: Mediterranean cuisine.
The Space: Cosy and welcoming.
The Base: €50 pp
The Face: Locals in the know.
The Ace: The amazing-looking bar area where they also serve all the restaurant dishes.
The Veg: 100% welcome here.
Opening Hours: Wed – Thurs 18:00-00:00, Fri – Sun 16:00-00:00, Mon-Tues Closed
Images from barentszrestaurantbar.com, Bar Barentsz
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