Los Pilones - Amsterdam Restaurant Review
About.com Rating
The Bottom Line
You won't find "Tex-Mex" at Los Pilones, where two Mexican brothers offer authentic dishes and an upbeat atmosphere out of a tiny shoebox of a space. (See below for the full review.)
Pros
Cons
Description
Guide Review - Los Pilones - Amsterdam Restaurant Review
I often want to pluck tourists from the tacky tables in the sea of tasteless eateries near Leidseplein, an area where it's easy to get stuck with a mediocre meal of "grill plate" and "tourist menu." I'd take them just around the corner to the red awning at Los Pilones.
I always whet my appetite with the guacamole (in a city where the natives add mayonnaise of all things to the recipe, I jump at the chance to have the real thing). For the more adventurous there are quesadillas with cuitlacoche, the mysterious corn-attacking fungus so treasured south of the border that it's often called the "Mexican truffle." If you're still not convinced the menu is authentic, try any of the dishes with mole.
I don't know of another place in Amsterdam that serves this sweet and spicy sauce made from chili and chocolate.
The Dutch aren't huge on hot flavors, so it takes an effort to find a little pow on your plate in Amsterdam. That's why I'm a big fan of the tinga poblana, a mountain of spicy shredded chicken so tender that it likely fell off the bone in preparation. Vegetarians will feel right at home with taco and enchilada options; the latter is best with a combination of the red and green chili sauces. Yum.
According to the owners, los pilones loosely translates to "a little something extra for free." Order one of the margaritas (traditional or fruity varieties like mango and peach are all delicious) and that something extra is a cute little pitcher of a top-off. And what goes better with the heat of Mexican food than Mexican beer? Here you'll find all your favorites: Corona, Pacifico, Negra Modelo and two kinds of Dos Equis. Of course, a night here would be incomplete without sampling one of the 20 tequilas. Not familiar with them? Ask a server to guide you through the differences between blanco, reposado and añejo. ¡Buen provecho!
The Bottom Line
You won't find "Tex-Mex" at Los Pilones, where two Mexican brothers offer authentic dishes and an upbeat atmosphere out of a tiny shoebox of a space. (See below for the full review.)
Pros
- Authentic Mexican food.
- Extensive tequila selection.
- Vibrant atmosphere.
- Outdoor seating on the sidewalk.
Cons
- Tiny space can be stuffy.
Description
- Address: Kerkstraat 63
Phone: +31 (0)20 320 46 51 - Kitchen open:
Daily 4 - 11 p.m. (sometimes earlier on weekdays).
- Location: near Leidseplein.
- Tram lines: 1, 2 or 5 to the Prinsengracht stop (Kerkstraat runs parallel between Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht).
- Attire: Casual.
- Scene: Buzzing in close quarters.
- Décor: Stamped tin panels frame bright walls with a mural of Rembrandt, Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and Vincent van Gogh.
- Good to know: Check out the second location in Jordaan neighborhood, opened in 2008.
- Payment: Accepts major credit cards.
Guide Review - Los Pilones - Amsterdam Restaurant Review
I often want to pluck tourists from the tacky tables in the sea of tasteless eateries near Leidseplein, an area where it's easy to get stuck with a mediocre meal of "grill plate" and "tourist menu." I'd take them just around the corner to the red awning at Los Pilones.
I always whet my appetite with the guacamole (in a city where the natives add mayonnaise of all things to the recipe, I jump at the chance to have the real thing). For the more adventurous there are quesadillas with cuitlacoche, the mysterious corn-attacking fungus so treasured south of the border that it's often called the "Mexican truffle." If you're still not convinced the menu is authentic, try any of the dishes with mole.
I don't know of another place in Amsterdam that serves this sweet and spicy sauce made from chili and chocolate.
The Dutch aren't huge on hot flavors, so it takes an effort to find a little pow on your plate in Amsterdam. That's why I'm a big fan of the tinga poblana, a mountain of spicy shredded chicken so tender that it likely fell off the bone in preparation. Vegetarians will feel right at home with taco and enchilada options; the latter is best with a combination of the red and green chili sauces. Yum.
According to the owners, los pilones loosely translates to "a little something extra for free." Order one of the margaritas (traditional or fruity varieties like mango and peach are all delicious) and that something extra is a cute little pitcher of a top-off. And what goes better with the heat of Mexican food than Mexican beer? Here you'll find all your favorites: Corona, Pacifico, Negra Modelo and two kinds of Dos Equis. Of course, a night here would be incomplete without sampling one of the 20 tequilas. Not familiar with them? Ask a server to guide you through the differences between blanco, reposado and añejo. ¡Buen provecho!
