One day at the office, we were discussing the best Indian restaurants. I received several recommendations about a particular place. I searched for it on Google and found numerous ads on Google Maps, making it easy to locate. However, booking a table proved to be impossible. They were fully booked for the entire weekend. After multiple attempts, I managed to get through via phone, but only after calling six times. Eventually, they informed me that they could arrange a bar area for my group. Consequently, we secured a spot at the bar for Friday evening. For further details, please refer to the YouTube video below.
The place is situated near the De Pijp area and offers a few outdoor seating options. During my phone conversation with them, they mentioned that they could arrange outdoor seating if the weather was pleasant. However, we opted for indoor seating since the weather was still quite chilly. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that outdoor seating is available.
When everyone arrived, the server informed us that their concept revolves around Indian-inspired cuisine infused with Amsterdam flavors. Upon hearing this, some of us began to feel a bit apprehensive, knowing that the fusion of Amsterdam influence with international cuisine doesn't always yield exceptional results, unlike the renowned culinary blends found in places like Tokyo Goan, Chifa, or Nyonya. Additionally, they mentioned that their concept involves food sharing and recommended that we order three dishes per person.
Despite the recommendation to order three dishes per person, we opted to keep a close eye on the portions being served, especially since we were seated near the kitchen. We concluded that ordering nine dishes would be excessive, so instead, we settled on six dishes along with naan, and rice.
Goan Chorizo Bruschetta €14
The first dish served was the Goan Chorizo Bruschetta. Having fond memories of Goan cuisine, especially their chorizo, I was intrigued by this concept. However, the execution was unexpected. Instead of the traditional bruschetta texture, it resembled more of a Dutch-style sausage bun. The brioche bun used wasn't quite like the French-style brioche but felt more like regular white bread. Additionally, the topping consisted of aged cheddar cheese sauce rather than the expected ingredients. Despite the unconventional presentation, the standout element was the flavor of the Goan chorizo, which was meant to be tossed in red wine vinegar and jalapeño sprinkles.
Eggplant & Tomato Arancini €10
I found it odd that these appetizers were named after Italian dishes when they were nothing like them. But, the best thing I had that day was crispy fried eggplant and tomato served with rice balls and green tomato chutney. I just wished they'd given us more because those five little balls disappeared quickly.
Sweet Potato Samosa €12
My friend enjoyed the samosa, but it wasn't quite to my taste. Personally, I found the sweet potato filling a bit heavy for an appetizer, and it felt a bit dry to me. However, my friend really loved it and ended up having two servings.
Miri's Spiced Chicken €14
As the name suggested, the spicy chicken lived up to its reputation. It wasn't mouth-burning hot, but rather packed a punch with its spicy black pepper seasoning. This provided a nice contrast to the other dishes, which were relatively toned down compared to traditional Indian cuisine.
Butter Chicken €10
The description touted 'Tandoori Chicken in a thick, buttery tomato and fenugreek sauce', referencing Murg Makhani. However, for me, the butter chicken fell a bit flat. While I wasn't expecting an overwhelmingly tangy or spicy dish, given the reference to Murg Makhani, I had hoped for a bit more depth in the tomato sauce with some added spice. Nevertheless, we realized that this was perhaps their interpretation of infusing Amsterdam flavor into Indian cuisine.
The service management wasn't flawless. Despite ordering naan and rice, they only brought naans and forgot our rice, and we noticed roti on the receipt which we hadn't ordered. Additionally, our crispy okra was missing from the menu, so we had to remind them after the meal. The Crispy Okra, served with tempered Yogurt sauce, was truly delightful. If it had been served on time rather than at the end of the meal, it might have been the highlight of the day. I had anticipated something more akin to Japan's Okra Tempura, retaining the okra's slight sliminess, but instead, they finely chopped and expertly fried it. The result paired beautifully with the Yogurt sauce.
Crispy Okra €14
Dining at Miri Mary offered a glimpse into the evolution of overseas Indian cuisine. I had hoped to experience a development similar to the British style found in restaurants like Gymkhana in London, given the Dutch presence in India for over 200 years. While the appetizers—such as the Arancini, Crispy Okra, and Goan Chorizo—were intriguing, and the restaurant's atmosphere was pleasant, I'm unsure if I would return.
Miri Mary
Van der Helstplein 15H, 1073 AR Amsterdam
+31 020 233 9587
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