When Bo Cinq opened it’s doors in 2009 it instantly became a hit with the Amsterdam incrowd. The cosy brick bar, tasty fingerfood, stylish lounge and spacious smoking room attracted a great mix of people.
Five years later owners Casper Reinders (Jimmy Woo, Chicago Social Club, Rose’s Cantina, Chow, Ludwig and many more), Mr Yen (Hotel Delphi, Dynasty, Le Veranda, Lion Noir, Woo Bros.) and Farid Asserti, who are always in for a new adventure, decided to turn things around.
The focus is now on dining, french Arabic dining that is, with a shared dining concept by head chef Mo Mahraoui. The former lounge was recently transformed to a French bistro-esque setting and an intimate wine bar will soon open in the back of the restaurant.
The menu offers a range of small dishes which you can share with your table companions. Our waitress advised us to choose at least three dishes per person. You should take her advise; we divided five dishes between the two of us and were still a bit hungry after. (Which we solved by ordering two desserts.)
Our choices:
Scallops with cream of peas, lemongrass and crispy pancetta
Tortellini filles with duck liver, truffle, fried duck liver and plum sauce
Leg of lamb with almond crust, cauliflower cream and mustard dill dressing
Herb couscous with roasted vegetables and chili figs
Zucchini flower stuffed with dates, goat cheese served with apple vinaigrette
Desserts:
Saffron raspberry cheesecake with salted caramel
Three layers of chocolate with creme anglaise
Fortunately, some classics like the chermoulah shrimps,the pizettes and the Bo5 Burgers remained on the menu. Although shared dining is a trend, we think we’ll fall back in the habitual on our next visit; a good ol’ Wagyu Burger with Confit of Onions and Foie Gras. Reminiscing in a revisited venue.
For more information and reservations click here.
