Coulisse
Amsterdam, Netherlands
⭐1 Star
The Experience
From Michelin Guide
You will find this vibrant restaurant waiting in the wings – in the foyer of the NewWerktheater, to be precise. This place run by a creative collective has a warm and laid-back atmosphere. Easy fine dining is the concept here: enjoying on-trend, sophisticated dishes in an informal setting. The sommelier proudly shares her passion for natural wines; behind the scenes, childhood friends Simon and Tim work hard on their cosmopolitan creations featuring local produce.Their cuisine is flavourful and sensual. After easing you in with some delicious amuse-bouches, they ramp things up, for example, adding pep to a zesty sea buckthorn berry sauce with pimento and other spices to subtly contrast with the powerful flavour of the smoked leeks. The creativity and masterful technique of these chefs is captivating. Among the main dishes they propose is an Anjou pigeon cooked on the carcass, the skin coated with reduced red beetroot juice. Roasted beetroot, refreshing tomatillo, fermented shiso leaf and an intense gravy accentuate the flavours. To bring proceedings to a close, the chefs serve a delicately sweet dessert. All in all, a remarkable performance!
Unique Things
From Visitor Experiences
"Easy fine dining" concept with a single set 6-course menu at a very accessible price: Coulisse offers only one set menu of 6 courses for €80, including amuse-bouches, starters, main, desserts, and friandises, with optional additional courses and cheese. This approach contrasts with typical Michelin-starred restaurants that often have multiple menu options and higher prices.
Located in a historic former theater with a theatrical theme: The restaurant is housed in a former theater building, and its name "Coulisse" refers to the backstage area of a theater stage, emphasizing a "behind the scenes" concept. This unique setting influences the atmosphere and presentation style, blending culinary art with theatrical inspiration.
Focus on natural wines and local produce with cosmopolitan creativity: The chefs, childhood friends Simon and Tim, emphasize natural wines and create cosmopolitan dishes using local ingredients. Their cuisine is described as flavorful and sensual, with creative techniques such as cooking Anjou pigeon on the carcass and using unusual flavor combinations like sea buckthorn berry sauce with pimento and smoked leeks.
Ingredient Stars
From Visitor Experiences
The most honored or signature ingredients at the Michelin-starred restaurant Coulisse in Amsterdam include:
Sea buckthorn: Used notably in a zesty sea buckthorn berry sauce with pimento and spices, providing a vibrant and slightly tart contrast to dishes like smoked leeks.
Beetroot: Featured prominently, such as in the reduced red beetroot juice coating the skin of Anjou pigeon, as well as roasted beetroot served alongside, adding earthiness and color.
Anjou pigeon: A key protein ingredient, prepared on the carcass with refined techniques, showcasing the chefs' skill and flavor layering.
Fermented shiso leaf: Used as a refreshing, aromatic accent in dishes like the Anjou pigeon, contributing complexity and umami.
Norway lobster: Highlighted in refined preparations such as tempura, demonstrating the restaurant's focus on quality seafood and delicate textures.
These ingredients reflect Coulisse's modern French style with a focus on local and seasonal produce, creative flavor combinations, and sophisticated techniques within an informal fine dining experience.