Christophe', the exquisite French restaurant, is one of Amsterdam’s don’t-miss experiences. It’s been an elegant highlight of the Jordaan dining scene for twenty years and has had a Michelin star for the past ten. When chef-owner Jean-Christophe' Royer recently left to seek new mountains to climb, Dutch gastronomes held their collective breath. Christophe’s long-time sommelier Ellen Mansfield and chef of fifteen years Jean-Joel Bonsens have assumed the Christophe' mantel. Early reports are very reassuring. The dining rooms have enjoyed a makeover in keeping with Ellen and Jean-Joel’s vision, but retain a luxurious and stylish ambience. Groups up to 50 are accommodated for sophisticated parties and celebrations. The new menu retains some of the favourite creations of the old, inventive French dishes from the Southwest touched with the flavours of Royer’s childhood in Algeria. Dishes include starter of soup of sweet corn and crispy sweetbreads of veal, main course of wrapped filet of cod and merguez sausage wit preserved Cevennes onions and salad of tomatoes, reduction of red wine and vinegar, and dessert of clafoutis of fresh figs with granite of thyme. The wine list is celebrated and the gastronomes are breathing easily.