Restaurant 212 begins its second chapter with a new and improved interior. The first ‘no-table restaurant’ in Amsterdam evolves into a more luxurious and intimate dining experience with only 16 seats. A new seven-course menu by chefs Richard van Oostenbrugge and Thomas Groot brings 212 to the next level.
The focus of 212 is the art of cooking, without any frills or distractions. It is high-end cuisine without the formality that usually comes with it. This simplicity is translated into the design: the stainless-steel kitchen is placed at the center, allowing guests to experience the craft of the chefs firsthand. As if it were a stage in a theater, guests are transformed into spectators of the chef’s culinary art.
The number of seats goes from 30 to 16, making 212 even more exclusive. There are four two-person tables and two four-person tables. The table is itself a piece of design, reminiscent of a credenza. It is equipped with ingenious drawers, one for each guest, containing a full set of cutlery appropriate for seven courses. The chef might add the finishing touch to the dish right at the diners' table, bridging the gap that usually exists between kitchen staff and guests.
A long, undulating banquette wraps around the space, creating intimate nooks for each table. This statement piece, with its soft and curvy shape, contributes to creating a lounge-like atmosphere. The upholstered seating waves throughout the space, giving softness and comfort to the otherwise modern and minimal feeling of the restaurant.
The materials chosen are pure and neutral: stainless steel for the kitchen and oak wood for the tables, which creates an interesting contrast between cold and warm. The rest of the environment has been realized in a neutral grey color, with ton-sur-ton floors, walls, and ceilings. The grey color acts as a filter, directing the focus to the center kitchen. The only glimpse that guests can capture of the outside is through the grey sheer curtains: a glimpse of the glimmering city lights reflected in the canal. 212 invites you to join the experience and leave the rest behind. Focus on the flavors and nothing else.
Photography by Wouter van der Sar en Chantal Arnts.
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