October, 2010

Rating:  9 out of 10

The Tariff: Dinner for 3

• Rijsttafel for 3
• (2 regular and 1 vegetarian)
• tip
• 54 Euros (approx $76)

The Setting

Desa is located on the busy Ceintuurban in de Pijp neighborhood. It has an attractive storefront with a big curved marquis. This restaurant serves Indonesian cuisine, but we were here for something specific: rijsttafel or 'rice table.' This is a Dutch adaptation of an Indonesian feast called nasi padang and it consists of many small dishes served alongside of rice. The name Desa means village and suggests fresh, high quality ingredients prepared in a traditional way. Inside the decor is simple and comfortable. Modern bar, linen tablecloths, polished wood floors, and tasteful art, including statuary, make Desa an elegant place to dine. Prices were better than other restaurants I checked, as well. They don't have their own website, but if you are on facebook you can check them out at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Amsterdam-Netherlands/DESA-RESTAURANT/155620512559

The Service

We were seated toward the front, so we could view the rest of the restaurant and outside the front window. Our server was pleasant and understood English well enough to answer basic questions and then to describe each dish being set down when the meal was served.  This is important because there are such an assortment of dishes--like an Indonesian smorgasbord!

The Food

Not being an expert, it would be hard to describe each of the numerous dishes we sampled.  A rijsttafel can include up to 40 dishes! Therefore, I will attempt to give highlights.

Start with Krupuk, a dish of crunchy shrimp crackers. Several relishes: Sambal Ulek, ground chili, and sambal bajak, ground chili with Indonesian spices. Vegetarian offerings included Gado gado, which is seasoned vegetables in peanut sauce (I don't think anything can taste bad in peanut sauce!). Tahu Opur Curry: tofu in light slightly sweet coconut curry. Telur Balado, hard boiled eggs in chili sauce. Pisang Goreng, banana fritters (soft and sweet) Some of the meat dishes were Soto Ayam: shredded chicken in lemongrass-coconut milk broth (kind of like Thai chicken soup). Ayam Djahe is chicken in soy sauce ginger broth. Daging Rendang is beef cooked with tomato, chili, spices and coconut milk. Satay Babi is cubes of pork broiled on skewers with peanut sauce.

Indonesian Specialties
Restaurant Desa
Ceintuurban 103
1072 EX Amsterdam
020 - 671 09 79