Te Pas, Van de Kaart and Fyra - three restaurants that serve you food with love. The secret? The owners themselves are on the workfloor. Whether in the kitchen or acting as a maitre d’, these hardworking people care for their customers and that can be tasted!

Van de Kaart
Arjan, the owner and maitre of Van de Kaart welcomes each guest with a genuine smile. Sander is the master in the kitchen. Set half below canal-level, this restaurant cellar-coziness has been lifted with a modern style. The menu boasts classic dishes prepared in a slightly less classic manner. The presentation is outstanding, the taste surprisingly good. What stood out most about Van de Kaart is the enthusiasm of the staff to provide you a great dining experience; to match the bottle of red wine Sander served my risotto with prime rib, to finish the bachelorette party dinner, we were treated to a grand dessert to share and Arjan even presented us a guy named "Jim" when needed.
Van de Kaart, Prinsengracht 512-sous. 3-course seasonal menu E29.95.

Restaurant Te Pas
Te Pas is run by the brothers Te Pas. The eldest is in the kitchen and the youngest is the maitre d’. The restaurant is styling in a simplistic way, with pictures of the brothers in front of grandma’s house. I had a three course chef’s menu with the request to keep the dishes ‘low carb’. The chef interpreted my wish as a ‘no carb’ and prepared Asian-meets-French beef and seafood dishes, without any carbs or price increase! The biggest joy is the humbleness and kindness of both brothers; they just want to serve you beautiful dishes.
Te Pas, Lijnbaansgracht 274, 3-course Chef's menu E34.50

Restaurant Fyra
Having met two of the four owners, I have no doubts that dining at Fyra is pure culinary pampering. This new restaurant has had so many positive reviews that I am hosting a dinner for 18 people here next month (without testing the place). Why I have this confidence? Well, it immediately becomes apparent is the heart of hospitality the owners have; your pregnant friend is coming along? we shall serve her a tea menu in stead of wine. The menu reflects the interior: classic with modern international elements; eg. Braised Oxtail with Reypenaer VSOP cheese, radish and a creme of basil. Don't be fooled though, the menu may sound chic, the prices are not! Restaurant Fyra, Noorderstraat 19. 3-course daily menu E31,00

Still on my wish list: Utrechtsedwarstafel.
This restaurant is also run by its owners and only serves chefs menus. It has been recommended to my by numerous Cosmo Polites in the past year and I fear it is my loss I have not tried it earlier.