Roux
Restaurant
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Photo courtesy of Roux Amsterdam. -
Photo courtesy of Roux Amsterdam.
Roux Wine List
About Roux
It seems that this part of Amsterdam, and particularly the Jordaan neighbourhood, is just overflowing with great wine restaurants. One of the most recent additions is Roux, on the Westerstraat. This very nicely renovated spot is just a few doors down from wine hotspot Parlotte, so in one night you can scratch both from your (spit) bucket list.
Owned and managed by Roos Bierhoff and Allon Niesen (who also has a wine import business on the side), this polished establishment welcomes you with open arms. Though no cost seems to have been spared in the renovations, there is no snobbishness here – smiling waiters with the odd tattoo here and there show they’re having fun in their work.
Food is refined, with an edge. Though the name Roux refers to the basis of French sauces, chef Sebastiano Guglielmucci – who has worked at various Michelin starred restaurants – has a more diverse style. There are playful combinations you wouldn’t expect, with influences from all over the world which, mostly, seem to work surprisingly well: squid and strawberry, eel with red cabbage, and langoustines with gado gado and sea buckthorn to name a few. There’s a weird and comfortable touch to it at the same time.
Stemware is taken seriously with most wines being served in thin Spiegelau ‘Definition’ glasses, and decanters on request. The large wine storage section in the back of the restaurant allows for a constant temperature, with wines being chilled easily when needed.
The list is a fun and affordable mix of mostly small, European growers, some great mature vintages of the classics, some lovely new world additions, and a few icons (at prices icons can be expected to be). There’s something to be found for everyone, from crisp and fresh Loire Sauvignons to bold, indulgent California Chardonnays. Particularly well done is the list of half bottles, ranging from grand cru Alsace to Oregon Pinot Noir.
Roux is a great addition to Amsterdam’s wine scene in general, and particularly for lunch.
Roux awards
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California 2-star
ô Bistro
