Amsterdam
EUROPE, CITY, FOOD
IN THE MOOD : SUMMER IN AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
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It was mid July in Amsterdam and the days were a mix of sun, cloud cover and drizzling rain. Whenever the clouds cleared, people poured into small boats, zipped through the canals and gathered in sun-kissed clusters. We passed wonderful scenes of boats filled with friends talking, listening to music and sipping drinks in patches of bright sunshine.
We stayed at the perfect Pulitzer Hotel on the Prinsengracht in the Nine Streets neighborhood. No kids meant that we could do as we pleased. Mostly we ate, strolled, sat outside, strolled and ate again. In the morning we had a few meetings and got some work done. In the afternoon, we visited museums. We cruised around the city on foot and of course, on Amsterdam’s famous bicycles. We enjoyed an intimate canal tour on the Pulitzer’s own historic wooden boat, The Tourister.
We happily discovered De Hallen, a beautifully restored former tram depot which bills itself as a center for media, culture, fashion, food and crafts. We developed a bit of a dinner and a movie habit and visited almost everyday. We went to Foodhallen for delicious food (The Butcher, Fento, Viet View, Pita and Le Big Fish are all great) and sampled local craft beer at Beer Bar. Then we popped next door for an original language film at Filmhallen.
The city has a stellar offering of international food of which we took full advantage. Ever since I lived in Indonesia during high school, I have loved – and craved — classic Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng, gado gado and chicken satay. When the Dutch colonized the country, they fell for the cuisine too. Amsterdammers eat rijsttafel regularly at themany delicious Indonesian restaurants; Kantjil & de Tiger and Blue Pepper were my favorites. The Dutch also colonized Suriname and brought Surinamese cuisine back to The Netherlands. On a friend’s recommendation we wandered over to the crowded canal side Waterkant where we joined the party with a chicken roti roll and a summery local beer called Brouwerij ‘t IJ. Other favorite meals during our week in Amsterdam: Mossel and Gin (for, well, lots of mussels and gin) in Westergasfabriek, Fou Fow Ramen and Mook Pancakes.
If you have a few extra days consider renting a bike and riding out to Waterland. We did…and it was amazing.
Dank Je!
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