The Miranda Pavilion on Amsteldijk has seen a lot over the years, but what Ashley Kelders and Gijs van der Wilk have now created there fits surprisingly well with the character of this building. Monne offers a Mediterranean concept here that doesn’t try to be grand, but simply aims to be good. Outside, the waters of the Amstel; inside, dishes that seem to have found their home somewhere between Marseille and the Amalfi Coast. That sounds ambitious, but the approach is down-to-earth: quality ingredients, carefully selected local suppliers, and a kitchen that knows what it’s doing.
Kelders and Van der Wilk named their restaurant after Salomon de Miranda, the historical figure after whom this building is named. This is more than just a marketing ploy. The Mirandapaviljoen has a rich history, and Monne seeks to honor that history rather than suppress it. The name is a tribute, and the concept is a logical extension of what the place has embodied for decades: a peaceful retreat by the water, just outside the hustle and bustle of the city.
The terrace is right on the Amstel. If the weather cooperates—and in Amsterdam, that’s always a gamble—the restaurant expands outdoors and extends its hours. The combination of water, light, and a dish that tastes of the South really lifts your spirits. Inside, the building itself is reason enough to visit: the Amstel Boathouse has the character of a historic building, and Monne hasn’t tried to hide that.
The Miranda Pavilion has a rich history, and Monne seeks to honor that history rather than suppress it.
The Amsteldijk is a neighborhood with few standout restaurants. That makes Monne all the more fitting here. The building calls for a place that exudes tranquility while still having something to offer, and that’s exactly what Kelders and Van der Wilk had in mind. Mediterranean cuisine, a glass of wine, the sound of the water. Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be any more complicated than that.