The newest addition to the boutique hotel chain, Hotel V, opened its doors a year ago and Team Kompas took a trip to discover if its bar-restaurant offering, The Lobby, is victorious.

Beef tartar with oyster, radish and buttermilk cream

The areas of de Omval and Watergraafsmeer are known more as inner suburbs than leisure destinations for city centre-dwellers, but as these neighbourhoods see rapid developments in housing and hospitality, Amsterdammers are switching on to the charms of the these localities and are heading east.

Hotel V is one brand to capitalise on the planning and building boom early, taking over this low-rise ode to concrete close to Amstelstation and transforming it into a chic but casual four-star hotel, bar and restaurant, which has quite rightfully been well received by all those who visit.

They achieved it the same way many Dutch designers and architects do; with sympathetic renovations that look to the building’s architectural past as well as its future purpose. So it’s a glam reinterpretation of mid-century interiors, mashed together with some modern cues like exposed concrete and air ducts.

It shares its nowtro aesthetic with the Volkshotel, except that if Volkshotel is the funky, fun 20-something with the hand-me-down sofa, Hotel V is the grown-up 30-something with a vintage Eames. The walls are panelled from floor to ceiling, brass and glass reflect the soft lighting, and it’s packed with eclectic furniture that those with a discerning design eye will fawn over.

1970s inspired sophistication at The Lobby, Fizeaustraat

The Lobby’s footprint includes a private dining room on the ground floor next to the main restaurant, and another event space in the basement next to the bathrooms and guest carpark. The heart of the ground floor bar and restaurant space is the open kitchen, busy with with skilled chefs creating beautiful modern-European dishes with speed, not haste with plenty of flair and flavour.

To top it all off, service from the friendly, professional and attentive staff was excellent during our visit, so it’s no surprise that The Lobby is full every night of the week.

This is the hidden gem that, apparently, everyone has discovered. And good for them.

Website: thelobbyfizeaustraat.nl

Facebook: thelobbyfizeaustraat

Instagram: thelobbyamsterdam