For a while everybody had been talking about this place. So one Friday night I set out with a friend to scrutinize this new hotspot in Amsterdam. Without a reservation we had to wait for about an hour, so when we finally got our table I couldn’t help being a little bit tipsy. Café-restaurant Open (Westerdoksplein 20) is built above a monumental railway bridge. All sides are constructed out of windows and in beautiful weather it becomes quite literally open with a broad view over the water.

As we climbed the stairs to enter, lots of stylish people were gathered around the barwhere it was still possible to smoke (I went there before the 1. of July). The atmosphere was expectant and cheerful. Despite its architectural  boundaries, the interior turned out to be spacious and modern. The light tables and floors with green, red and golden accents composed a magnificent setting. Unfortunately, I didn’t get permission to take pictures from the inside. Of course I can respect that but the way they explained this with a certain arrogance stayed in the back of my mind.

As I am vegetarian and supposed to live on vegetables, the main course didn’t please me; I missed carbohydrates somehow. In my desperation, I had to order French fries additionally, very welcome to my non-veggie friend as well. Even the kitchen is totally open here, and when I wasn’t too involved in conversation I would look for what I would be eating next.

I couldn’t help feeling a bit disappointed about this place. Although the location is quite unique, I believe they missed the point. Open felt like a beautiful girl who casts a spell as long as she keeps her mouth.. Or is it just me not being open enough?