J is for – Jansz (Amsterdam)

Our visit to Jansz is a reminder that dining out is about the entire experience – from the ambience and service to the food and its presentation. Here’s to more adventures and discoveries in the world of food – because, at the end of the day, it’s not just about the meals we eat, but the memories we create around the table.

QUICK-FIRE SUMMARY

Vibe Check

The space is beautiful. Dutch classic with a modern twist.

Cost For Eats

€66
**We had issues with the meal so our mains were removed from the bill and a dessert was added without charge. So this is not representative of the full cost.

Cost For Booze

€28

Booze-Free Options?

None that we were made aware of.

Vegetarian Options?

Yes, there were some tasty vegetarian options.

JANSZ: AN INTERNATIONAL DINING EXPERIENCE THAT LEFT US WITH MIXED FEELINGS…

As my regular readers know, this blog has always strived to share the joys and discoveries of the culinary world, with a gentle touch and an open heart. One of the first things we said was that we were not interested in dragging restaurants or under-bus-throwing. Particularly in these challenging times, I believe in supporting the hospitality industry with constructive feedback, rather than harsh criticism. So, let’s embark on this honest review of Jansz, Amsterdam, our first international venture.

Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, the restaurant presented a romantic and thoughtfully designed space, centred around an open kitchen. Our corner seating promised an intimate dining experience, though at times, it did teeter on the edge of feeling isolated.

Our starters did justice to our expectations – they were flavourful and set a promising tone for the meal. A special mention must go to our waitress, who, despite being new to the role, showed friendliness and attentiveness – a trait that’s always appreciated.

However, our experience throughout the meal was disappointing and it took a turn with the main courses when the dishes were served cold and missing some items. More concerningly was the lump of plastic in the pasta.

In such situations, the response of the staff can make a significant difference. Unfortunately, this time, the handling of our concerns fell short of expectations. Instead of a proactive resolution, the blame was placed on our new waitress, which felt unfair, especially since the kitchen’s oversight was the root cause. While the mains were taken off our bill and we were given a dessert free of charge by way of apology, the manager’s attempt to lay the burden of responsibility on the shoulders of a junior staff member felt unfair.

Despite these setbacks, it’s important to remember that every restaurant can have an off day, and these experiences, though not ideal, are part of the dynamic nature of dining out. The key lies in how these challenges are addressed and resolved.

Our visit to Jansz is a reminder that dining out is about the entire experience – from the ambience and service to the food and its presentation.

Here’s to more adventures and discoveries in the world of food – because, at the end of the day, it’s not just about the meals we eat, but the memories we create around the table.

THE ALPHABET DINNERS JOURNEY CONTINUES NEXT MONTH…

Onwards and upwards! Next month we are hitting the road again for an international experience once more! But not quite as far afield this time…

Cheers, fam! 🥂

WANT TO FOLLOW ALONG ON OUR NIGHTS OUT?

You can follow all the craic on Instagram where I am going to be looking for recommendations, shout outs, sharing updates and who knows…maybe running a few competitions along the way. Join us here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

share this post:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

Still hungry? Here’s more

O is for – Osteria Lucio

Osteria Lucio is very literally tucked away from the rest of Dublin in a building called The Malting Tower in Grand Canal Quay. The ingredients are seasonal, local and carefully selected for flavour and quality. The wines are all from Italian smallholdings. The coffee-infused Negronis are stupidly good. No really. Have two.

Read More