Envy Delicacies

The sleek, surreal and bordering on provocative Supperclub has been one of Amsterdam's hottest nightspots with a wild and exciting menu, and owner Bert van der Leden's latest brainchild, Envy, promises to be an equally enticing venue, particularly with regards to gourmet food.

The sparkling stainless steel open kitchen is striking and grabs your attention right away, where you could watch the chefs as they prepare your meal. In a play of contrasts, the dining area is all wood, with low lit lamps and has a warm and cosy atmosphere while long tables with elevated bar stools provide an intimate and friendly ambience. And how can anyone miss the sight of twenty six refrigerators lining the walls behind the counter where chrome handles and oak panelling elevate the ordinary ice box into a stunning showcase for the wonderful desserts, oysters, cheeses and wines on their menu?

Designed to look like an Italian delicatessen, the focus is on fresh and unassuming flavours, and with a Michelin Bib Gourmand to back it up, Envy comes up with some magnificent creations to seduce the senses. Sample the tomato sorbet with lobster and foam of mozzarella for a vivid and decidedly different experience.

The absence of a traditional menu makes way for experimentation and you could start with the smoky salami tinged with truffle or an Italian soft sausage with a hint of pistachio. Other noteworthy dishes include the crispy pata negra with farm egg and hollandaise; open ravioli with a celeriac ragout; slowly baked quail egg with a sauce of red port and skin baked codfish with aubergine, arganol, clams and foam of lemon and kefir. The portions are a tad small, but nevertheless satisfying on a sensual level.

Luscious crème brûlée, sinfully smooth ice creams and sorbets with an assortment of sauces comprise the desserts, while cheeses flown in from France, Switzerland and Italy complete the list. An excellent selection of wines complements the meal, while the helpful and knowledgeable staff put you at ease with anecdotes and interesting trivia about the food on your table.

The chef's menu offers value for money and most diners can be seen tucking into a variety of deli meats, warm and cold dishes and a number of miniature desserts, triggering a reaction of 'I want whatever they're having' from you. Envying thy neighbour is no longer just one of those seven deadly sins, and is probably a commonplace occurrence there, if the buzz in this chic and trendy place is anything to go by.