MOS Amsterdam

My coworker Thomas has a secret weapon for date nights: MOS Amsterdam. He has taken at least four different dates here over the past year, and every single one of them wanted to come back. When we asked him what his secret was, he just said "MOS." We are starting to think the restaurant is doing most of the heavy lifting.

MOS is on IJdok near Centraal Station, and the first thing you notice is the interior. It is gorgeous. High ceilings, warm lighting, natural materials, greenery everywhere — the kind of space that feels both trendy and timeless. It photographs incredibly well (Thomas's dates always post it) but more importantly, it makes you feel good just being in it. There is a confidence to the design that translates to the whole experience.

The menu is built around sharing plates, which is the smart way to eat here. The kitchen does this modern European thing with global influences — a little Japanese here, a little Mediterranean there — and the plates are beautifully presented. Not in a "too pretty to eat" way, but in a "someone who cares made this" way. My coworker's go-to order is the beef tartare, the miso aubergine, and whatever fish dish is on. He says the tartare alone has closed more dates than he has.

The cocktails deserve their own paragraph. They are excellent. Creative without being gimmicky, presented beautifully, and strong enough that one is the perfect start to an evening. My friend ordered something with yuzu and mezcal that she described as "a hug in a glass." The wine list is solid too, with some natural wines that are actually good (not just trendy).

What I appreciate about MOS is that it is upscale without being stuffy. You can wear a nice sweater and jeans and feel perfectly comfortable. The staff are warm and attentive without hovering. It has that Amsterdam ability to be elegant and relaxed at the same time, which is harder to pull off than it sounds.

Portions are sharing-plate sized, so order three to four plates for two people. Expect to spend around 60-80 euros per person with drinks, which for the quality and the setting is fair. It is not cheap, but it is the kind of evening where you feel like you got your money's worth in experiences.

Reservations are strongly recommended. MOS has been getting more popular and weekends fill up. Weekday evenings are a bit easier, and honestly the Tuesday-through-Thursday vibe is slightly nicer — the room is full but not packed, and the energy is more intimate.

The location on the IJ waterfront is a bonus. You are right near Centraal Station, with views of the harbor, and options for a walk along the canals after dinner or a nightcap at one of the bars nearby. My coworker's post-MOS move is a walk along the waterfront, which he says "has never not worked."

One honest note: if you are looking for huge portions and comfort food, MOS is not your spot. This is refined dining — well-executed, beautifully presented, smaller plates. If you want to be impressed and impress someone else, this is where you go.

Thomas still will not reveal his full order, which I think means we have not tried his actual secret weapon dish yet. But everything we have had has been excellent. MOS is the restaurant you go to when you want the evening to feel special without having to try too hard.