Oh hey, friends!
Ok ok yes, there has been a week (or two) since I’ve written something. I’m sorry, there is literally no excuse, life just got overwhelming and a little bit in the way. But now, we are back to the regular programming. I promise. And what a way to start back but with the long-awaited Amsterdam update.
Amsterdam is one beautiful city. It has some great food. But more importantly, it had some of my favourite people. The three people who made my many months in Ballymaloe as wonderful as it was; Declan, Sarah & Noor. We were all finally in the same place once again! All four of us live in different cities so these little trips are going to become a somewhat recurring theme (hopefully). This time, this trip, Noor’s city - Amsterdam.
Coffee and bakery stops are obviously a must. I had a long list compiled after asking almost everyone I know who has been there for recommendations. I unfortunately did not make it to all of them. It would have taken a fair few days to get through them all. Saved for the next trip! The few we did make it to:
Screaming Beans // FUKU // Five Ways // Fort Negen (bakery)
There is a very very cool coffee and cafe scene over there however, much to some disbelief there is only so much coffee my body can handle. So even though I passed so many other shops I just couldn’t add any more caffeine into my system. The minor lack of bakery visits was exaggerated by the fact that the Saturday we were there was King’s Day or Koningsdag (think Paddy’s Day but way way less messy) so almost everything was shut. If anyone is interested here’s the extended list of places that we didn’t get to:
Uncommmon // Lot 61 // Yusu // Loof // Bakkerij Wolf // Coffee District // 4850 // Locals
We had an incredible dinner on Sunday evening. The restaurant in Nxt Museum was really exactly what were looking for. Some traditional Dutch food with a bit of a twist, good wine, good food, great company. We got some traditional white asparagus, which is in season and something we all spoke about months ago. We basically arranged this trip around white asparagus and tulip season in Amsterdam. And those two things did not disappoint! The rest of the meal was just as stunning. We got many many portions of potatoes, the love that bonded the Irish and the Dutch in the group! Of course, the dessert was my favourite course (what a surprise) the coconut sticky rice with a honey anglaise was a top highlight.
The fact that we went Noor’s home city of ten years meant that we got a real taste of proper Dutch food. Lots of street food. Both on Kings Day and at a market or two. We had a proper food guide, like the kind you’d pay a loadof money for. Noor was the perfect guide for the three of us.
Lots of beer and great bar snacks was a thing I was a big fan of. The Kroketten, croquettes filled with either veal, shrimp or cheese were so so tasty and comforting and the perfect salty, savoury snack to have whilst sitting over a beer or two! We had a good portion of fried fish, there was a herring floating around too at some point but I took a pass at that one - would not be a favourite of mine. The Albert Cuyp Market was a constant stream of all the snacks and food and stalls that we could ever ask for. We were there on our last day, the sun was shining, it was glorious. Now, unfortunately we did not have time to get a fresh, hot stroopwafel, much to my disappointment. There were so many stalls selling them to order at the market, you could smell the hot caramel from halfway down the street. Next time! (cause there will be a next time).
Amsterdam is a beautiful and wonderful city. And I definitely haven’t seen the most of it. There are still so many spots and places I want to try. Places I want to visit and things I want to do. Those three days were not enough. But has 100% given me a taster of how great that city can be. There will most certainly be another Amsterdam trip on the cards at some point in the near future. But the best part was the little mini-reunion of my Ballymaloe peeps <3.
Ruth
xoxo