To all the new Amsterdam beauty we should definitely add this one: Americano Bar & Kitchen, from the men behind Carter, Hugo's en Franklin, but on the Amsteldijk. Sounds familiar, immense? Where is that again? Well, on the other side of the Weesperzijde where you can find, among other things: On the Amstel find, and the Ruysch room to name just two. Good company and the American-Italian business raises the level even further. American-Italian? Actually it is there tutti Italiano, despite the American name: an Americano is the favorite - Italian - cocktail of one of the owners. And so an evening at Americano begins, with a cocktail or a glass of prosecco at the always full bar - which is immediately very New York, after which you move to your table. And there Americano does a nice restaurant-like look (HOORAY!) with starched and crisp linen on the tables (unbeatable), tall wine glasses, acoustics that are finally top notch (almost unique in Amsterdam) and knowledgeable staff (again: HOORAY!). On the menu are balls and burrata to start with, the first in a delicious non-dripping chunky tomato sauce, the second on a watermelon soaked in watermelon (really, yum). A classic pasta or risotto like inbetweeny (no, don't skip it) and meat or fish for the main, such as a lobster to share (with herbs and breadcrumbs, tasty but I don't really need it) and man steak (with potatoes and vegetables, much appreciated). And then you could just skip dessert; don't do that, really. The scropinno is thick and delicious, the chocolate fondant is the same (just a little too thick on the inside, so unfortunately the chocolate flow doesn't creep up on you, but oh well, anyone who pays attention). In short: make sure you are hungry and don't have to go anywhere before you sit among the Art Deco lamps and graphic wallpapers from Americano. Oh, one more thing: the tap in the ladies' toilet! Because, love, need. Americano