Sunday, December 07, 2008

OUD HOLLAND - Amsterdam

Oud Holland (Old Holland) is a few blocks off Damrak in Dam Square. Oud Holland is located in a 2 ½ story house built in 1649. Yes, 1649. This house became a café in the late 19th century. It was THE place to meet for editors and journalists on Holland’s “Fleet Street” in the 1920’s. The very comfortable and charming space has flocked paper on the upper ½ of the walls and wood paneled lower walls, with beautiful Dutch antiques throughout. The wooden tables are covered in bright red table clothes with red & white checkered cloth napkins.

For my starter, I chose the Kippe/Groenstesoep (Chicken Soup). The clear chicken broth had the most intense chicken flavor with just a hint of bay leaves. The tidbits of potato, carrot and chicken breast were not overcooked – still slightly chewy. The slivers of white onion, celery, & bits of parsley enhanced this incredible soup that was served in a large metal soup cup.

I had the Ptuttelpot (Beef Stew) as my main dish. The large pieces of beef simmer for 8 hours prior to serving. Chunks of carrot and onion, bay leaves and chives are added near the end of the “simmer” creating a thick, very satisfying meal. The beef stew is served in a large flat metal bowl-like plate with a mound of coarsely mashed potatoes. This incredible stew is served with a side of slightly sweet carrot balls in a light butter sauce as well as a side of steamed brussel sprouts tossed in butter and a hint of garlic. The veggies are to be eaten as sides and not combined with the stew.

A small metal bowl of slightly tart applesauce that comes as another side with the stew is the perfect end to this fantastic meal. This amazing stew & sides are only 16,40 EUR (approx $21 USD).

Geyser, the café’s house cat, quietly moves among the diners for some TLC. Believe me, this cat is not deprived of attention! No… he is not a tabletop jumper.

As I was eating my way through Amsterdam I quickly learned that if you want to add a tip to your card, you need to let your server know up front or leave money on the table. Adding it when you sign the receipt is not an option at any of the eateries where I dined. Another learning I had is that soda refills are not free and often cost 2,50 EUR (approx $3.20 USD) each.

Robert, my extremely friendly server, was always ready to answer a question or provide a suggestion in perfect English with a very sexy accent and a huge smile!

I asked 2 different hotel concierges for their recommendation of a great local café serving outstanding Dutch food – both told me to try Oud Holland. I agree!

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

$$
++++
✦✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

Friday, December 05, 2008

MANNEKEN PIS - Amsterdam

Manneken Pis has a small location on Damrak (the main street) approximately 3 blocks from Centraal Station in the Dam Square (downtown) area. There is no seating, just a walk-up window. But this does not detour those in the ever present quick-moving line to look elsewhere for their french fry fix. The white lab coat adorned staff are very efficient and friendly.

The menu is short - 3 sizes of fresh cut/fresh fried fries, shakes and ice cream. Period. The fries are reasonably priced, from $3.25 - $5.50. They also offer 17 regular dipping sauces and 5 special dipping sauces, ranging in price from .75 - .95 for each sauce. Not being fluent in Dutch, I asked a local next to me in line for a recommendation. Without a doubt, he indicated the mayo/green peppercorn was the best - a very smooth, slightly peppery mayo. I agree; it was fantastic. After receiving my order, I joined the rest on the sidewalk devouring their cones of french fry bliss.

The small fry I ordered was served in a paper cone; the sauce was plopped on the top. My fries were incredible - crisp with fluffy white centers! Remember to grab a tiny wooden fork & several napkins.

There is a large sign proclaiming Manneken Pis has been vote "#1 Holland Fries" for several years. Not once did I walk by during this visit to Amsterdam did I not see a line. The other fry shops in the area can't make the same claim!

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm...


$
++++


Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

Thursday, December 04, 2008

AL ARGENTINO STEAKHOUSE – Amsterdam

Al Argentino is located on a tiny side street (Zeedijk 29A) two blocks from Dam Square in central Amsterdam. The street is so narrow that 5 bikers could not ride side by side in the same direction. A short 5-minute walk down Damrak from Centraal Station (train station) takes you to this square bustling with locals and tourists. The square was created in the 13th century when a dam was built around the Amstel River to prevent the Zuiderzee Sea from flooding the city. Hence the name Amsterdam. In Dam Square and on the surrounding streets, there are food stalls, restaurants and shops galore, as well as the Amsterdam Diamond center.

The steakhouse has a western ambiance with stressed barn wood, wagon wheels, hides, and wooden tables & chairs. The long narrow dining space has a few tables near the front, a tiny bar that may seat 4 or 5, a partially open kitchen and another small dining space at the rear. Aah, the aroma of the grill caused my tasted buds to jump in anticipation of a great steak dinner.

I began with a hot appetizer – the Empandas de Carne (meat pastries). The 2 piping hot, flaky puffs were filled with minced steak, onion, kalamata olives and a touch of dried red pepper. These tasty puffs arrived resting shredded carrots and red cabbage. Excellent!

For dinner, I ordered Bife de Chorizo (sirloin steak). The slightly charred steak was grilled to perfection and crusted with minced garlic and black pepper. I ordered a side of the Chimmichurri sauce; it did not have enough parsley and garlic and too much onion, red & green pepper for me. The Seasoned Rice was long grain white rice exploding with the flavors of paprika, onion, cumin and flecks of red pepper. I could not resist a side of the Maiz a la Parrilla (grilled corn). The “caramelized” smoky corncob came with melted butter for dipping. A fantastic meal for $29 EUR or approximately $36 USD (food only).

Al Argentino features a short but nice list of wines and liquors from Argentina.

It was very sexy to hear Mathieus, my stunning & very friendly Dutch server, describe the Argentinean dishes. While I was dining, I heard Swedish, German, Chinese, Spanish, English and obviously Dutch – international diners in a very cosmopolitan city. The background music was a relaxing blend of Spanish and English singers.

Walking through the streets surrounding Dam Square, I was surprised by the number of Argentinean and Indonesian restaurants. It seemed like there was one on every block. This is one Argentinean eatery you should not pass by!

Mmm, Mmm…

$$$
++++
✦✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”

GREENDAYZ COFFEE - Amsterdam

Greendayz Coffee is a bright, contemporary coffee shop, 2 blocks off Damrak at Warmoesstraat 143. Franc, the adorable manager, quickly points out that their menu items are all natural or organic.

During my stay in Amsterdam, I made numerous trips to Greendayz for a caffeine fix.
Franc recommended the “Classic Coffee” – a double shot of espresso with a small amount of filtered water. Delicious! This mellow, slightly smoky coffee quickly became my beverage of choice.

My sweet selection was their fantastic mocha chip muffin; it was a baseball-size handful of heaven. This super moist muffin had a subtle espresso flavor and slivers or dark chocolate. The muffin’s crystallized sugar top was incredible. I learned that the addition of a bit of applesauce was their secret to the unbelievably moist muffins.
I admit I ate several.

The staff of this very comfortable, welcoming café is quick to answer questions about this amazing city, give directions, and make suggestions to those coming through the door. I always left with a smile and a hot cup of “Classic”!

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

$
++++
✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”