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Golden Bend in Herengracht was once home to wealthy citizens of Amsterdam but has now paved the way to house banks, insurance companies and cultural associations. Restaurant Het Tuynhuys was formerly a coaching inn in a seventeenth century mansion and the period façade leads you into a bright and charming space. With a name that literally translates into 'garden house' this large restaurant attracts a wide spectrum of customers.

The split-level dining area is for those who enjoy space, comfort and intimacy, while the upper level is the best bet for large parties. The interior is vivid with well-spaced tables, candles and neutrally shaded walls partly covered with chequered prints. During summer months, step outside to the terraced garden filled with flowers and hedges, and let the warmth of the sun help you reminisce about your last Mediterranean holiday.

The cooking will appeal to the appetites of those who seek recognisable French favourites with the occasional European twist. Skilfully crafted with exceptional ingredients, the food harmoniously blends in flavours and is appealingly presented. The daily tasting menu allows diners to sample a variety of dishes per course.

Marinated and thinly sliced veal may appear with tuna tartar, anchovy mayonnaise and crispy chips of Roseval potato for starters, while a marbled terrine of duck liver and salted meat is served with prune jam and brioche. Carrot soup á la tom yum with scallions and guinea fowl hint at the Chinese origins of the owner. Mains take in pan-fried turbot in crispy and delicate kadaifi dough with sweet potato, morilles and veal jus; fillet of beef with duck liver confit, homemade gnocchi and a truffle sauce, and rack of lamb with German dumplings and date and lemon compote.

Desserts embrace curd with raspberries, dark chocolate chips and Belgium waffles, and red fruit with champagne sabayon, twelve year old balsamico and almond florentines. Their well chosen wine list enables coordinated pairing with the food and unusually you could select a different recommended wine, served by the glass, with each course. So if you are in Amsterdam and are looking for a pleasant eating destination with discreet service and an eclectic menu, then Restaurant Het Tuynhuys may just be the place.

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.