Restaurant Graphite | Amsterdam

[TL;DR: Graphite has 1 Michelin star, but they definitely deserve a second one]nAbsolutely mind-blowing dining experience ! We had the 15-preparation menu : the quality, diversity and visual appearance of all dishes is fantastic. Fresh products and audacious combinations create new tastes and "umami" dishes.nOne great touch was to have a cocktail as one of the preparations to do a break during the other coursesnThe sommelier also proposed us with great wine bottles recommendations that we could even taste thanks to a Coravin

The restaurant is thought as a speakeasy (it’s hidden and no pics of the interior can be taken) and that makes the experience nice. We tried the 12 courses menu and from a restaurant with 1 michelin star we were expecting more.nnThe service was a bit rough: sets of different cutleries are provided at the beginning of the meal and they won’t be changed until the end. It’s an original concept but it didn’t add anything to the experience. We ordered a glass of wine and the waiter didn’t let us taste it before serving.nnThe food was good but not exceptional. Given the amount of courses most of them were bites (this was expected). The menu narrative (order of the dishes) didn’t take us on a culinary journey and seemed rather haphazard. There was no palate cleanser between the main course and the dessert. We actually found the dessert rather unrefined and a bit heavy/sweet.nnOverall we were a bit disappointed. There are restaurants out there within the price range that offer less courses, yet much more thought through and sensorial.

In one word AWESOME! The food was delicious with extraordinary combinations of ingredients. With good wines to pair with the meals. Also an enjoyment for the eyes. Personnel was really professional and friendly. They were passionate about their job and the food/wines. A really big complement to the chef-cook(s). Definitely take the 15 course menu. Dietary requirements were taken into account on a nice way. Definitely coming back and recommended to all our friends.

Such a great experience! We did the twelve course dinner and enjoyed every bite. All of the food was delicious and the presentation was incredible. We had dietary restrictions (one vegetarian and I am gluten-intolerant) and they were so accommodating and made sure we all got a similar dish and could have the same experience. The gluten-free bread was some of the best I’ve had. Highly recommend!

The allure is for sure a major draw card as is the food but the service falls short on many levels for a Michelin star restaurant. If the staff and chef are not in sync it’s a overshadow experience. Arrived at 7.30. Asked for a cocktail in which we started having in the entrance and then asked to continue at our table. Upon being seated asked if we wanted the wine list and water. 2 times I replied NO as we had large drinks to finish. Without asking our first corse landed in front of us mid drink !! There on after you are ushered into dining on the time slot of someone else. The food undoubtedly is a treat. The service of the staff throughout the evening was less convincing and often felt forced. The end of the dinner was present the bill that had the printing so faded I couldn’t see what I was paying for with all the extras. I took a guest as a gift and to my horror had to ask the waiter in front of my guest what the amount was as could not read it. Lighting you must know is also very dimmed (great until this point), and my phone camera bleached out the print viewing even more. My guest taken back by the situation which was unfortunate as it then didn’t work as a surprise.The interior is tasteful and private and the music just the right level but can’t help but feel we were being ushered out of the restaurant as the restaurant needed to closed. We left at 10.30 after a 13 corse menu. Just keep in mind it maybe a gamble.