When my friend and I were invited to dinner at El Hermano de Kique, we were graciously welcomed by the charming waitress, who described their concept with enthusiasm. Starting with an aperitif of manzanilla, we then moved on to the food and wine list. El Hermano de Kique is run by the same people from the wine store across the street, so we trusted their drink suggestions. The selection did not disappoint! Starting off with a natural glass of Terroir, we proceeded to pair our following choices with the meal, ranging from a white Rousanne to a ruby red Montsant Garnacha. Our drinks were accompanied by a few complimentary nibbles Spanish-style and my friend ordered some Jamón Serrano, which I didn't join in on since I'm not a big fan of pork. There were so many mouth-watering plates to choose from, that we decided to share a range of cold and warm tapas. We started with the artichoke leaves topped with a dollop of choggia beet, feta and mint. Pretty as a picture, the dish had full, earthy tones and fresh, tangy flavours. We then moved on to the potato tortilla, which was cooked perfectly; chunky, rustic and well-seasoned, with a slightly creamy interior. We were captivated by the lacquered eel, which had a delightful umami depth to it, with some pickled carrot that offered an uplifting balance. This was followed by the most tender calamari skewers filled with paprika and a slightly pungent puttanesca, which was laced with a pleasant oily finish and the necessary hint of heat. The most memorable of the warm dishes was lamb shank with pumpkin and ras al hanout spices. The melt-in -your-mouth stew with a Moroccan-inspired sweet-and-savoury gravy was a perfect crowd pleaser on this rainy autumn day. We finished off our courses with a risotto of tomato and forest mushrooms, which we also enjoyed, but if we have to rate all the dishes in order of likability, perhaps this one left the least impression on us. In hindsight, we should have ordered it before diving into the tapas with stronger, more dominant flavours. We weren't sure if we still had room for dessert but shared a chocolate fondant anyway, with no regrets! The coffee was excellent too! The friendly chef and waitress were both incredibly accommodating, taking turns serving our plates. They each described the wines and menus with a passionate knowledge and interest, which is not always guaranteed in Amsterdam. We also had a chat with the lovely owner, who was so kind as to offer us a meal on the house due to us standing before a closed door on a prior night that they decided to shut early. He didn't have to do that but his generous offer was worth every bite! We were tempted to stay longer since the vibe was fun and relaxed, the Latin music was inviting and the remaining guests seemed to be enjoying the makeshift dance floor, but opted to bike home before it started raining again. I definitely recommend visiting El Hermano de Kique, whether it's for a nibble at the bar or the full monte of tapas, sherry and wine. Whatever one chooses, they will be welcomed with gracious hospitality. I can't wait to return for the wine and cheese events on Sundays!

Heerlijk sappige hammen. Gruwelijk lekkere huisgemaakte aioli. Verschillende kleine hapjes. Maar ook een gruwelijk lekkere steak. Qua dranken kom je niks te kort. Zeer ruime keuze aan wijnen. Allerlei genotsgevende bieren (Bijv: 'Er Boqueron': 'Schijnt' met zijn mineralen gezond te zijn) Fris en druivensap zijn ook aanwezig. Onder het genot van fijne klanken(goeie playlist) kun je hier in de namiddag gezellig aanschuiven voor een drankje en een hapje.