Simply Fish

Chef Jan Rijk has clearly found his place in the South and, alongside Won Yip, has been the owner of this exclusive seafood restaurant for several years now. It exudes a warm, cosmopolitan vibe with an interior that wouldn't look out of place in a chic Parisian bistro. Peak-fresh crustaceans and shellfish, generously poured wines, and a tempting menu reveal that you've landed in the hands of a true Burgundian. For the aperitif, there are homemade cheese sticks and a lovely glass of Verdejo Bellori Joven. Simply Fish works exclusively with daily fresh and seasonal produce, meaning some dishes aren't always available. The menu is highly versatile, and the lobster bisque—Jan’s signature dish—is an absolute must. Generously packed with tender lobster and served in a terrine, it allows you to easily serve yourself another portion. The shrimp croquettes with homemade brioche and cocktail sauce are equally divine. One of the house classics is the skin-fried cod fillet served with caramelized endive, mustard beurre blanc, and creamy mashed potatoes. You effortlessly separate the beautiful flakes of fish with your fork, and it remains a stunning dish in all its simplicity. We simply cannot resist ordering fresh fries with mayonnaise on the side. The daily special of skate wing fillet, accompanied by truffle-stuffed gnocchi, grilled green asparagus, and béarnaise sauce, further highlights the chef’s expertise. To drink, a crisp white Domaine de Châtenoy from winemaker Pierre Alexandre Clement of the Menetou-Salon region. The bill reflects the high quality and generous portion sizes. A truly delightful establishment. During the summer months, you can enjoy dining on the beautiful terrace.

In Amsterdam-Zuid, Simply Fish truly lives up to its name. Jan Rijk doesn't do simple cooking here: for him, it's all about precision and craftsmanship. This is immediately evident from the perfectly shucked oysters, featuring a standout selection from Gill...

Won Yip's excellent seafood restaurant, with chef Jan and hostess and sommelier Francis Rijk, is located right in the heart of Amsterdam-Zuid. The interior is modern, featuring tall windows, a light wood floor, high and low tables without tablecloths paired with comfortably cushioned chairs and several benches, atmospheric lighting, and an open kitchen where fresh oyster shells are displayed. On the straightforward menu, you will find an extensive selection of caviar, oysters, crustaceans and shellfish alongside starters, mains, and side dishes. While making our choice, we enjoy superbly baked sourdough bread with salted farm butter. We start with sashimi of tuna, salmon, and scallop served with ginger, wasabi, and wakame. The sashimi is incredibly tender and deliciously flavorful with a simple soy sauce. Dutch shrimp croquettes with homemade brioche follow, and the chunky, very creamy cocktail sauce accompanying them is to die for. Whole Dover sole takes center stage. Served with fried pearl onions, lamb ear, and asparagus, along with a herby béarnaise sauce that lets the tarragon shine through. In the glass, a Viognier Sainte-Cécile from Languedoc-Roussillon, France 2021, which pairs perfectly. The dessert is magnificent: red fruit with vanilla ice cream and freshly whipped sabayon prepared to order. And that is why we skip the pastries, even though they look highly appetizing. A lovely establishment where a chef behind the stove has mastered the art of preparing fish in every respect. Bravo.

In chic Amsterdam-Zuid, Won Yip, Chef Jan, and hostess and sommelier Francis Rijk have found their place. Simply Fish has been discovered by seafood lovers, and the restaurant remains consistently bustling. Great attention has been paid to the interior design. A beautiful light wooden floor, comfortable chairs and benches in a milk-chocolate shade, plenty of beige and gold accents, and a mosaic of a round fish on the wall act as a visual centerpiece. The dining bar is impressive, featuring tall stools at a window table. Chic yet highly welcoming. Chef Jan Rijk expertly directs his brigade. With freshly baked salt sticks on the table and a lovely glass of Tomasso Pinot Grigio, we admire the impressive menu. Fish takes center stage. Fruits de mer, fresh crab, langoustines, Imperial caviar, shrimp croquettes, turbot, vongole, and more. Beyond these delicacies, Simply Fish offers a three-course menu and a daily special. For a starter, Jan’s famous lobster soup, generously portioned. The terrine remains on the table for guests to help themselves to extra servings. Welcoming and generous. The Ostend prawns with creamy chive mashed potatoes, served with a refined mustard sauce, are equally excellent. We continue with a generous piece of skin-fried cod, served with a rich, tangy béarnaise sauce and creamy mash. Then, skin-fried, exceptionally fresh sea bass with white asparagus, mushroom risotto, and a frothy beurre blanc. The charming Francis pours a generous glass of Château Saint Roche Chardonnay, lightly barrel-aged, to accompany it. Santé!

A chic establishment in Amsterdam Oud-Zuid. It boasts a cosmopolitan atmosphere, spacious and bright, yet simultaneously warm and welcoming. We are seated at marble tables set with spotless white linen napkins, well-proportioned fish cutlery, and beautiful glassware. Won Yip is the owner, alongside chef Jan and hostess-sommelier Francis Rijk—previously owners of a fish restaurant in Goes. Simply Fish, as the name suggests, specializes in fish, crustaceans, and shellfish, but has also catered to carnivores. The wine list offers a generous selection of wines from both the Old and New Worlds, with a focus on whites. From chef Jan’s open kitchen comes a rich lobster bisque as a starter, elegantly served tableside in a beautiful soup tureen. Paired with it is a Pinot Grigio, Tommasi Viticoltori 2021, which complements it perfectly. The main course features skin-fried cod with tarragon beurre blanc, samphire, and mashed potatoes, impeccably executed. We conclude with homemade vanilla ice cream topped with fresh summer fruit and sabayon freshly whipped to order. You won’t find innovative cuisine here, but you will find the finest fish, generously portioned at an excellent price.

Horeca-tycoon Won Yip heeft met dit restaurant, gespecialiseerd is in vis, schaal- en schelpdieren, een nieuwe parel in zijn culinaire kroon gezet. Mede-eigenaren zijn chef-kok Jan en gastvrouw-sommelier Francis Rijk, in het verleden eigenaren van restaurant Jan in Goes. De inrichting van deze ambiance in Oud-Zuid is ronduit indrukwekkend. Op prachtig ingelegd parket staan glanzend houten tafels, gedekt met linnen servetten, fluweel beklede banken en stoelen, een mooie bar, open keuken, hippe muziek die niet te hard staat en als absolute blikvanger een grote wand met een vis als kunstwerk. We gaan voor chef's special: huisgemaakte romige bisque, royaal gevuld met verse kreeft. Fantastisch. Ook de sashimi van tonijn, zalm en coquille gekoeld op ijs is goddelijk. Francis zorgt goed voor haar gasten en schenkt aromatische Viognier La Symphonie bij de perfect op de huid gebakken kabeljauw, geserveerd met een mooie bearnaisesaus, romige puree, lamsoren en witlof. Royaal is de portie gewokte moules de Zélande met vadouvan, afgeblust met noilly prat en huisgemaakte frieten. De vleesliefhebber heeft beperkt keus. Er staan steak tartaar en tournedos op de kaart. De rekening is alleszins schappelijk, zeker voor een restaurant met deze grandeur en de vele zakelijke gasten die hier hun successen komen vieren.