Paradiso, a vegetarian restaurant in Amsterdam, offers diners a unique experience where the absence of meat brings to life a world in which meat never existed. The restaurant’s creative menu, beautiful setting, and high-quality ingredients have made it a popular destination for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. In this review, we delve into our experience at Paradiso and explore what sets it apart from other vegetarian restaurants in the city. Join us as we discover the delicious and immersive world of Paradiso.
Paradiso is a restaurant located in Cork that specializes in vegetarian cuisine. It has been around for 30 years, defying the odds against the then notion that vegetarianism was a lifestyle for health-nuts or hippies. Its founder and chef, Denis Cotter, has successfully created a menu that stands on its own, without the need for any reference to meat. The restaurant’s dishes celebrate the worth of vegetarian cuisine and are crafted from an absolute vacuum where a world with meat never existed.
Today, Miguel Frutos drives what happens on a day-to-day basis as the head chef, while Cotter oversees the menu as an advisor. Paradiso’s current format is a €65 tasting menu, which is undoubtedly a crowd-pleaser, as it is challenging to get a table at the restaurant any Friday or Saturday. The restaurant’s ambiance is cozy and vibrant with congenial chatter from patrons of all ages.
The restaurant’s wine pairing is an excellent deal at €30, consisting of a clever list of organic small producers, with a strong emphasis on natural wine. The wine list is an impressive sight, offering a glass of sherry starting at €5 and cava at €9. Every selection on the menu can be served by the glass or in small formats. An extensive range of bottles is also available in the mid-€30s to €40s price range. Xisto Ilimitado, a red wine from the Douro region of Portugal, is a popular choice.
Paradiso’s menu is concise, and all dishes are vegetarian, with a vegan tasting menu available too. Once seated, three small bites will arrive at your table with very little backstory or “one-bite instructions.” This seemingly casual delivery provides an excellent opportunity for diners to savor small tastes that explode with flavors.
The menu is strongly influenced by Cotter’s expertise in various spices, herbs, and sauces, and every dish features a fine balance of intense flavors. The lentil soup will undoubtedly wake up the palate, providing a fierce jolt of heat in the back of the throat. The glazed cauliflower, feather light in batter, is coated with fermented chili, ginger, and orange sauce, and sprinkled with white sesame seeds. It’s zesty, spicy, and a complete explosion of flavors. The Spanish minxo pancake is loaded with fried tofu, aubergine and mushrooms, and topped with a pickled carrot, which produces a zinging five-spice hit.
The second course takes a similar approach, using fine veins of spices that weave through every element on the plate. The miso mayo gives a perfect earthiness to the dish, and the pickled plums provide a burst of acidity, which enhances the taste of the crunchy rāyu with chopped hazelnuts and shredded greens. As you continue working your way along the plate, you’ll also savor delicious chunks of deep-fried salsify and pickles.
The pumpkin seed chocolate mole, a perfect accompaniment, is served with the lightest, crispiest polenta ever tasted. The dish features globe artichoke, sweetcorn, and pickles, which provide an excellent range of flavors and textures that are sure to please your palate. The tortellini is filled with Cáis na Tíre, a firm lemony hedgehog mushroom filling, and is bathed in a lemony beurre blanc sauce.
Finally, two desserts are available to satisfy your sweet tooth. The posset has an invigorating rasp of blood orange jelly and a ricciarelli with its delicious chewy almond biscuits, while the rum mascarpone with apple is topped with a pecan filigree that snaps as you break through.
The Paradiso restaurant’s food provenance is impeccable, providing the highest quality of ingredients sourced from Gort na Nain Farm, Coolea, Cáis na Tíre, Cratloe Hills, Hegarty’s, Knockalara, and Macroom Buffalo.
In conclusion, Paradise Restaurant provides a unique offering in vegetarian cuisine which stands on its own merits. It features a delightful ambiance and flawless customer service. However, wheelchair access to the restaurant is limited and does not include an accessible toilet. Dinner for two people with a bottle of wine costs approximately €166.30, making it one of the best deals for vegetarian cuisine in town.
In conclusion, Paradiso restaurant has successfully created a unique dining experience for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. With an imaginative menu and a charming ambiance, it’s hard not to be swept away into a world where meat never existed. It’s a beautiful reminder that there are endless possibilities when it comes to food and the dining experience. Whether you’re looking for a cozy night out or a special occasion, Paradiso is definitely worth a visit. So if you’re in the mood for delicious vegetarian cuisine and an unforgettable atmosphere, be sure to make your way to this little haven in the city.
