The first thing we all think of when someone is visiting Amsterdam? The drinking, the weed, the women, and the long mindless nights that no one remembers when they wake up next to the canal. Everyone who isn’t an American teenager would know that it doesn’t have to be that way!
Amongst all of the “tourist activities”, there are a few gems you can visit to break that looseness up a little. Here are a few places I enjoyed during my stay, which I would love to share with you:
Herengracht Café Restaurant
435 Herengracht, 1017BR Amsterdam
It has a cafe, an outdoor courtyard at the back and also a lounge for drinks.
The lack of service is very standard in Dutch traditions, so it’s not out of the ordinary if you sit down and you’re not noticed by the waitstaff.
Carpaccio van rund op klassieke wijze met Parmezaan en kruiden sla
The carpaccio sandwich was a winner, with thinly sliced raw beef, perfectly seasoned with truffle mayo, parmesan cheese and rocket.
And you can’t forego the classic veal croquettes with mustard
visit http://www.deherengracht.nl/ for the full menu
If you’re looking for a nice lounge bar with a great vibe, covered with Missoni upholstery and Philippe Starck designed Kartell Mademoiselle chairs, look no further than Momo. Situated at the Park Hotel, right opposite the Holland Casino, it is frequented by fashionable and celebrities alike.
Momo has a modern Asian fusion menu and a familar Australian NZ wine list.
The staff are attentive and very multilingual, catered for the international crowd. There are a few seafood starters worth a mention, including the soft shell crab with shreadded mango and chilli lime sauce…
- Salmon and Avocado Ceviche
and a rather amazing “Golden Chocolate Cycloon” which we had at the bar… next to David Moyes – who was not quite impressed that us Aussies didn’t really appreciate a sport “where you can’t even use your hands“.
Dessert
MOMO
Hobbemastraat 1
1071 Amsterdam
www.momo-amsterdam.com/
And during my travels, here’s a first for Spread my butter, a “what not to eat” section!
Exhibit A: Bright green colored Edam cheese – flavoured with Pesto? Fail
(tasted somewhat like a garlic flavoured crayon)
Exhibit B: Anything from “Febo”
The pre-prepared fast food vending machine, where luke warm soggy burgers and deep fried bits are abundant…
…including “Cheese Souffle”
and day old Chicken burger… when freshness doesn’t matter.
If you’re craving the greasy food, order some fries with mayonaise at any cafe. They are double fried and always perfectly crunchy on the outside.
Many thanks to CC and CPO for taking me around town!
Tags: Amsterdam, carpaccio, croquettes, Dutch, febo, herengracht, momoLike my post? Spread it like butter!
i will use this list when i visit amsterdam
Can’t believe you didn’t have the “world’s best shawarma”
I am Australian but have been living in Amsterdam for almost a year. At first I used to think Dutch service in cafes was terrible but now I quite like it. Their cafe ‘culture’ is different to Australia. In Australia, people do not sit in a cafe and read a book or chat with friends for a couple of hours. But that’s what the Dutch do in the Netherlands.
There is a pattern to the way things are done. You enter a Dutch cafe, are greeted with a hello, you take a seat and relax for a few minutes before you order. You are firstly asked what you would like to drink. When your drinks you then order food if you wish. Generally it is up to you to seek the attention of the staff to order something thereafter.
I like Dutch cafes because there is no pressure for you to leave even if you don’t order any more drinks or food after your initial order. In Australia, you would have been given the bill, which is a polite way of saying “thank you very much but it’s time to leave”. Also, Dutch social life revolves around the cafe which is different to Australia.