Ají – pronounced Agie – has recently opened on the Pannekoekstraat. As the new restaurant of highly-acclaimed chef, Mario de Ridder, of the dining establishment Julia, it has a lot to live up to. And it most certainly does not disappoint. The menu is a mouth-watering mix of South American and Asian cuisine. Ají comes from the direct Spanish translation of pepper, an integral ingredient in this restaurant’s kitchen. The restaurant itself looks like the forests of the Amazon, with guests eating small plates of pata negra, fried langoustines and quail, surrounded by beautiful wall art of lobsters and plants. Such outstanding food and atmosphere does come at a price. A small dish will set you back around €14 to €16, and you will want to choose a few of them. We would advise bringing a full wallet.
Address: Pannekoekstraat 40A, Rotterdam
Opening hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 12pm-2pm & 5pm-10pm; Thursday to Saturday, 12pm-11pm
