Spectrum Amsterdam: the new restaurant of 2 Michelin star chef Sidney Schutte

Librije's Sister** in the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam is now Spectrum

Anyone who follows the Amsterdam restaurant scene closely has undoubtedly heard about it. Librijes Zusje no longer exists, and in that same location in the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam Spectrum** recently opened. Top chef Sidney Schutte and his two Michelin stars, which he earned in no time for Librije's Zusje, have been retained. He and his wife recently opened Café Cliché, a great gastro bar in Amsterdam East where you can enjoy delicious food, but where the atmosphere is also relaxed. Anyone who has ever dined at Librije's Zusje in Amsterdam will recognize that it's Spectrum It's also less formal. Fantastic food, a clean interior, and therefore, full attention to what's on your plate. With everything you'd expect in a two-Michelin-star restaurant in terms of etiquette, but in a contemporary way. The last thing you want when you're dining out for a special evening is to feel like you have to whisper at the table, right?

Team Sidney & Sascha

If you're planning a lavish dinner at Spectrum Amsterdam, you can be sure you're in good hands with chef Sidney Schutte and restaurant manager Sascha Speckemeier. Together with their team, they'll ensure you have a truly special evening. That the team is just as important as the Spectrum executives is evident throughout the evening. The entire team is listed by name on the back of the menu, and you'll also see a large number of them in the "sticker GIFs" created specifically for the restaurant in Instagram Stories. I initially thought Sascha was joking when he said Spectrum has its own GIFs on Instagram Stories, but between the last amuse-bouche and the first course, I couldn't resist grabbing my phone.

You'll immediately understand the team's sense of humor after seeing the stickers. Something you wouldn't expect at a two-star restaurant. And that's precisely why they're so delightfully quirky. It's also so contemporary, because no matter how you look at it, if you dine at Spectrum, you'll want to share it with your friends or followers! Did you know that Sidney and Sascha know each other from their time working at the Librije*** in Zwolle? They both went on to work in Asia for several years, Sascha in Shanghai and Sidney in Hong Kong (bee Amber, where I ate years ago when he had just moved to Amsterdam).

grapefruit // grapefruit ceviche, shiso, avocado, sea lettuce

At the table at Spectrum, dining room in the heart of Amsterdam

The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam building continues to impress every time you step inside. Spectrum is located in the basement on the garden side of the building, and when we sit down at our table, it's still wonderfully light outside. This offers a unique glimpse into the garden. A beautiful city garden, enchantingly illuminated as darkness falls. The interior of Spectrum Amsterdam is clean. White with natural tones, crisp white table linens, and a glimpse into the kitchen area where the dishes receive a final check before the team at the table discusses them all. Because we know Sidney a little by now, we're allowed a peek inside the kitchen. I find this very special, because the team works so hard while we chat with Sascha and Sidney about their upcoming trips and reminisce about cities like Tokyo And Seoul, where Sidney just visited. The inspiration he gained during his travels is also reflected in his dishes!

The menu at Spectrum Amsterdam

When you dine at Spectrum, you're in for a truly lavish evening. Instead of ordering à la carte dishes, you choose from the vegetarian menu (€170) or the fish and meat menu (€180). Both menus consist of eleven dishes, including a number of delicious amuse-bouches to kick off the evening, perhaps with a glass of champagne. The wine pairing for both menus cost €90 when we dined at Spectrum. I'm truly impressed that Spectrum serves such a high-quality, fully vegetarian 11-course menu. Normally, even as a non-vegetarian, I often choose this option, but I quickly spotted some of my favorite ingredients on the other menu, and I was hooked. The menu at Spectrum changes regularly due to the seasonal ingredients prepared according to traditional Dutch cooking traditions, as Sascha explains at the table. Every dish we tried was unique, and many of the dishes had international influences that reminded us of our own travels. Fortunately, the "Carabinero" is still on the menu, one of Sidney's signature dishes and by far my favorite! Curious about what we ate? I hope the photos below give you a good impression of Spectrum!

Reserve a table for Spectrum You can book through their website. Keep in mind that you'll need to make reservations well in advance (especially if you plan to dine on the weekend). Enjoy!

Book online

Conch // conch, cauliflower & kaffir custard, caviar

Blood sausage // blood sausage in vinegar, sea buckthorn, lemon geranium, peanut, octopus

Sourdough bread with Jersey cow butter & caramelized goat's milk butter

Calf's liver // caramelized calf's liver, pickled sprouts, mustard & fennel seed, kale chlorophyll, bacon oil

Herring // herring, baked potato & dill milk, miso cinnamon cream, egg yolk with marinated smoked bacon

Carabinero // crushed carabinero, crispy & braised beef rib, XO cream, roasted pointed pepper, watermelon in ginger vinegar

Sepia // Sepia lacquered with coffee juice, cockles, mango & coriander, airy cardamom

Sea eel // gently cooked sea eel, fried foie gras, sunflower seeds, codium vinaigrette & banana beurre blanc

Duck // crispy duck, roasted eggplant, pickled tulip bulb, pomegranate & black olive jus

Lime leaf // goat cheese, beetroot, tamarillo & almond

Red cabbage // ice cream made with red cabbage, kentjur, strained yoghurt, lychee, and chocolate pistou

Nice detail: the chocolates in the background refer to dishes from the menu in terms of taste

PSSSST... you can find more (travel) tips in my books!

• Feed Your Wanderlust – Travel Guide for a bohemian lifestyle
• staycation – 22 guides and shortlists for a holiday close to home
• Wanderlust – Urban Travel Style Guide
• The Amsterdam City Guide (Dutch) & The Amsterdam City Guide (English)

Great as a gift for yourself or someone who loves to travel as much as you do!

WITH LOVE,

ANNE