Photo by Liz Clayman
The Amsterdam
Rhinebeck
Opened: April 2017
$15 to $38 entrées
​Instantly popular from the moment it opened its doors, The Amsterdam has become the stylish go-to spot for culinary adventurers. Owned by weekenders-turned-locals Howard and Chris Jacobs, this restaurant delivers more than just delicious dishes: It offers a complete experience and a night out to remember.
Photo by Jennifer May
Not that you need a special occasion to go there — the crowd at this upscale, no-judgment hangout swings from jeans and T-shirts to cocktail dresses. They’ve come to bathe in the carefully appointed atmosphere, complete with fireplaces inside and outside, distressed Oriental rugs, and well-worn antiques scattered about the rooms. Though historic, with original wide-plank floors in some parts of the building, the 1798 bilevel townhouse also boasts chic contemporary touches like geometric inlaid tile and industrial lighting. Keeping with the times, the gravel-based backyard patio is ADA compliant: wheelchairs can easily navigate. “It’s quite the hangout with its bocce court and fire pit,” says service manager Fletcher Tingle, arranging fresh bouquets and wine displays just-so for the evening ahead.
See what all the buzz is about when you visit this charming Dutch townhouse serving inventive fare in the heart of a vibrant village. Photo by Jennifer May.
Oh, and the food. Executive Chef Alex Burger, previously of Daniel Boulud’s New York City empire — not to mention stints abroad in Spain, France, and Thailand — has crafted a slightly offbeat locavore menu that drifts from wild mushroom with poached egg and chives to cherrywood-smoked ham served with all the trimmings, and duck liver mousse paté perked up with a sweet-and-sour gastrique made from ruby Einset grapes, a New York State specialty. General Manager/Wine Director James Jusseaume will offer the perfect wine.
Photo by Jennifer May
If Mom and Dad visit, take them to brunch (reservations, please), where the menu is a tad more traditional. “Everyone’s going to find something to eat here,” says Tingle. “You can make it as simple or elaborate as you wish — from a Middle Eastern shakshuka egg dish to a fried chicken sandwich, we have all levels of comfort.”
