Zest is exactly what you'll get at this praise-worthy restaurant, which brings a modernist slant to everything from the interior to the cuisine. The menu offers dishes with Asian and Mediterranean flavors, although no culinary coffers escape the kitchen's raiding. The food has developed such a reputation that folks often revel in it over leisurely meals, sampling Thai curries, grilled lamb, a wealth of fish and seafood dishes, and deftly prepared vegetable courses. The wine list offers selections by the bottle and by the glass as well. A wonderful, intimate spot.

Down an alley in the Red Light District lies this Mediterranean restaurant, a two-level place with both bar and dining room. The clean-lined interior ensures that food, more than decor, receives the attention it's due. Attentive service, an accomplished kitchen, and an outdoor terrace appeal to those who stop in for the first time and are ready proof for regulars that Blauw aan de Wal is always ideal for a meal that's large on quiet, quality, and charm.

Fashioned from a circa-1926 greenhouse, this delightful establishment promises airy, romantic dining. Surrounded by its own gardens, De Kas grows many of its ingredients just beyond its doorstep. Supplemented by local meats and seafood, the menu is a daily, prix fixe event consisting of several appetizers, an entree, and a sweet. Lunch is two courses, and chef's table dinners can be arranged for folks who want a first-hand look at the kitchen's workings. Patio dining is sublime during warm-weather months.

Trendy, color-punched decor, a hip social scene, great views of the Muntplein, and a cuisine classified as IMF (international modern freestyle) indicate to diners that they're in for something out of the ordinary. Chic and pricey, the menu offers such fare as sweetbreads, lobster ravioli, steamed mussels, and salads enlivened by tropical fruits. Creative types frequent Inez regularly, and although the door reads 'International Private Society Club' (thus the IPSC), you're welcome to dine once you make reservations.

The restaurant itself isn't much to look at, and it only seats a handful of diners, but the pleasure of the authentic Greek cuisine more than compensates for the lackluster decor. Besides, most folks do take-out anyway, and the place is well-equipped for to-go orders. The range of Greek specialties is familiar, from spanakopita and dolmades to moussaka and souvlaki. The quality of ingredients and preparation, however, far surpasses what can usually be found. Take advantage of the kitchen's skill, and make sure not to forget the baklava!