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• February 10, 2008 - 15:09pm

Balthazars Keuken restaurant in the heart of the Jordaan district is one of Amsterdam’s most special restaurants. It is a long, narrow space set in a former smithy, with scrubbed wooden floors, an open kitchen with pans and utensils hanging in plain view. The moss-coloured banquettes, unado
ed wooden seating, and plain white table linens add to the ambience of simplicity and relaxation. And it’s tiny, seating just about 30 inside and a few more on the bijou terrace in fine weather. ‘Romantic’ must be Balthazar’s middle name, in spite of the plain surroundings. Owners Karen Gaasterland and Alain Parry create inte
ationally-inflected three-course fixed-price dinners, with a menu that changes every week. They create. You enjoy. No choice about the dishes, though. The starters are tidbits meant to appeal to all. The mains are perfectly-sourced fish or meat with sides. House wine is from the Languedoc, chosen to complement the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Dinner only Wednesday through Friday. Groups up to ten can dine in the restaurant then, or hire the entire venue for private events during the rest of the week. Very popular, very packed.