Amice Amsterdam opens its doors
Amice Amsterdam - Simone Dickmann
Amice Amsterdam - Simone Dickmann
Amice Amsterdam - Simone Dickmann
Chefs Michael Wolf and Jordy Koopmans are opening Amice in Amsterdam. This marks the next step in their shared passion: a place that is truly their own. The two have known each other since 2009 and worked side by side in the kitchen for many years, including at Envy and later at Wolf Atelier.
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Casual fine dining at Amice Amsterdam
With Amice, they have created a restaurant where the cuisine is of the highest standard, whilst the atmosphere remains relaxed and personal. Service and quality are central, but without any formal distance or rigid protocols. The aim is an evening that feels natural, from the moment you walk in to the very last glass.
The name Amice, Latin for ‘friends’, forms the basis of this concept. The chefs describe it themselves as casual fine dining: high-quality cuisine in a warm setting. “We want guests to feel at ease straight away,” says Michael. “You come here for really good food. For refinement, pure flavours and top-quality ingredients. But without any fuss and without it becoming uncomfortable. Yet, as far as we’re concerned, life should also be celebrated at Amice, preferably with a glass of champagne.”
Amice Amterdam – Simone Dickmann
The balance between creativity and structure at Amice
The partnership between Michael and Jordy forms the foundation of Amice. Whilst Michael is known as a creative and intuitive chef, Jordy brings structure, calm and clarity.
“We’ve had that balance ever since Envy,” says Jordy. “Michael is the creative driving force; I ensure there’s structure. We complement each other, and guests can sense that.”
The energy comes from the kitchen
The large open kitchen forms the heart of the restaurant, and many tables look directly out onto it. Just like at home, the kitchen takes centre stage and guests can see what’s going on. The chef’s table is therefore not next to, but actually in the kitchen. It’s a lively place, because quiet kitchens don’t fit in here. “We spend a lot of time in the kitchen ourselves, simply because that’s the most fun,” says Jordy. “That’s where the energy is. We want to keep doing that.”
The wine room plays a central role. Guests can choose a bottle themselves here, with guidance from the team. That personal touch fits in with Amice’s vision. “When friends come to eat at our house, I let them pick a nice bottle from the fridge themselves,” says Michael. “We want to create that same feeling here.”
In 2015, we also wrote about Wolf Atelier; read the article here.
Website: Amice Amsterdam
