January 16, 2012
EVERYTHING in space!
From the Tumblr blogs omg cats in space and food in space.
January 9, 2011
Amsterdam tip: Sugarless
This new and cozy (gezellig) lunchroom has recently opened in Amsterdam-West. Run by sisters Jennifer en Joyce de Jong, Sugarless by J&J specializes in fresh organic food and drinks free of refined sugar and artificial sweeteners and flavorings. Which means…guilt-free indulgence!
The menu includes sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as a lovely selection of pies and cakes/muffins. And: high teas are available also.
Bilderdijkstraat 92, Amsterdam.
Sugarless.nl
April 15, 2009
Reviewing: Vapiano
Vapiano is located next to (or actually partially in) the new library building on the Oosterdokskade (next to the Central Station). The German chain focuses on Italian food, and the Amsterdam-restaurant is the second one that is opened in the Netherlands.
The restaurant features plenty of interior space as well as balcony-seats. The massive wooden tables are clean and decorated with basil and other herb plants (what a nice touch!), and plates, cutlery and glasses are real (non-plastic). Outside the restaurant is a large terrace, though I am told this is shut down early in the evening. Vapiano employs a system of self-service which may not be very complicated but poses a challenge for first-time visitors. There are separate queues for pasta dishes and starters, and for pizza. Beverages can be ordered at the same time. When placing your order, you are asked to hold a card you are previously given in front of a machine, which enables you to pay later, when exiting the restaurant. You are then handed a small device which beeps when your order is ready, which is nice because it means you can find a seat instead of waiting around the cooking-area.
Though I visited the restaurant on a Saturday evening, it wasn’t crowded at all. Considering this, I felt the waiting time was slightly long, about 20 minutes (if I remember correctly). The main courses are divided into categories, and very reasonably priced. I ordered the pizza rucola, which was €6,75. There are bowls with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, which you can add to your dish for free (the best price-category). The crust, thin and slightly salty, is fine; the tomato sauce is rather generic and the mozzarella kind of sparse… The rocket and fresh parmigiano however are abundant and are added after baking. The pizza is reasonably large and allover certainly its money’s worth.
We remain seated for about 40 minutes after finishing our food which seems to be fine with the staff. Paying is done upon leaving, at a counter where a girl obligatorily asks each of us if we enjoyed our meal (how American). My friend happily pays for his two Sprites, not his pasta! as he was never asked for his card by the pasta-making guy. I enjoyed my €10 dinner and view of the water (and of the fight between a bum and thirty English footballfans which almost took place just before our eyes on the terrace below). If you do choose to go to a self-service restaurant, go here!
March 24, 2009
Decorating inspiration: Clementine’s adorable house
See more photos of Clementine’s lovely home over at Design Sponge.
December 21, 2008
Christmas baking
I made cheesecake yesterday (for a Geer&Goor marathon yesterday evening and tea-date today at my house), and this was the result. Recipe here.
Aerosmith - Cheese Cake mp3 - ZShare
Bonus pic:
September 12, 2008
Guilty pleasures
Me all by myself, my laptop, Dr. Oetkers’ brownies, and power ballads…bliss.
Pat Benetar - We Belong mp3 - ZShare
Heart - These Dreams mp3 - ZShare
Journey - Don’t Stop Believing mp3 - ZShare
February 12, 2008
Amsterdam city tips part II, food edition!
See the first part here.
De Bakkerswinkel. Though the name suggests it’s only a shop, it’s also a lunchroom/tearoom. There are three different locations in Amsterdam, I prefer the one in the Warmoesstraat. They serve lovely scones, great pies and cakes, but also salty stuff like sandwiches and soup. If you’re really hungry or you simply have a lot of time, try one of the high tea’s (starting at €12,95). It’s very busy every day (even during the week), so reserve a table or otherwise come 20 minutes early. Very friendly staff.
Divan. Elandsgracht 14. My favourite Turkish restaurant. It’s kind of old-style/quaint, reasonably priced. Very friendly staff, they really go out of their way to be to be helpful (for instance with large groups or if you have special requests). I usually prefer to have a number of small starters rather than one main course (though these are great too).
Lunchroom De Korte Prins. Haarlemmerdijk 8. Sandwiches, bagels, muffins, coffee, juices, shakes, etc. Good price, nice casual atmosphere. Read more »
August 2, 2007
My Amsterdam city tips
Episode – second hand clothes – Waterlooplein 1 & Berenstraat 1 (9 straatjes). Hipster vintage stuff (leggings, 80’s frocks, etc.), middle price-range. They usually play fun music. Look here for opening hours.
Zipper – second hand clothes and ‘new’ brands– Nieuwe Hoogstraat 10 & Huidenstraat 7 (9 straatjes). Dresses, shoes, jeans (like Cheap Monday), middle price-range. Fun kitschy jewellery.
