The College Hotel was a lovely addition to Amsterdam a couple of years ago, when it seems like we had exhausted all the 'nice places' to eat and drink in the city. And even handier, it was just 10 minutes walk from our house. Job's a good 'un I thought.

After going there several times for drinks, it soon became clear why it was called 'College' hotel. All the staff were in training, which is something I dont particularly have any problems with. I mean, we all have to start somewhere dont we? But what I have a problem with, is when the prices are in the lofty league. Cocktails were around 12 Euros. Their wine list is good (with a good range of vodka's, gins and fizz) and the cocktail list is ample, with the barman being able to knock up anything you want that isnt on the list.

So when I was to meet up with a girl I used to work with, and became very good friends with, we decided to go back to the College Hotel after not being there for a year. I hadnt been back for that long because the last time we went, it seemed to have been infiltrated by mafia and their molls, which is not really my cup of tea, if I'm honest. Plus, the service was atrocious. Something which I have no patience for.

We managed to get a cosy table with 2 sofas and plumped for the drink that I always order when I cant decide what I want to drink - a 'Kir Royale'. And a very good Kir royale it was too. The kir balanced out the acidity of the champagne, but didnt take over from the champagne and it was altogether a vey nice drink. And so it should have been for 12.50. I see someone has been meddling with the price list over the past year ;)

We ordered 'Risotto with chanterelle mushrooms, cheese and poached egg'. A dish that I would usually stear clear of, on the premise that I can make a splendid risotto at home and every such venture into risotto land, when eating out, fills me full of disappointment. But we were both feeling lucky and braved it. It was utterly fabulous, plump grains of rice, brilliantly, perfectly cooked, plenty of bite and certainly nothing like the stodgy, overcooked crap served up in most restaurants where risotto is featured. The chanterelles were beautiful and the cheese, I found, was somewhat heavy. I am not sure what cheese they had used to finish the risotto, but it was really heavy and definately not pecorino/parmesan that is usually used. In fact, the risotto was swimming in cheese, something that I didnt mind, because I'm a 'Cheese Whore' (as one of my friends eloquently called me one dinner party) but to the risotto traditionalists, your stomach may not have been able to stand it. Poached egg, which I have never had on top of risotto, was a nice touch too.

Nevertheless, it was a nice dish and all satisified I ordered a glass of Merlot to wash it all down with. One last cocktail, 'A Mandarin Cosmopolitan' had more alcohol in it than I have ever seen, but we thought we'd give it a go anyway. Blimey. It blew my socks off and was perfectly proportioned. Any more of those and I would have to got a taxi home ;)

The bill for 2 Kir Royales, 1 water, 2 Risotto, 2 Cosmos and 2 glasses of wine came to 90 Euros. Not the cheapest 'meal' in the history of eating out, but the service has improved massively and the clientele is back to what I feel comfortable with. Food, wine and cocktails were very good and I shall be taking 'The Buik' there soon.