Wednesday 7 March 2018

L'atmosphere rue de Romain Les Lille

This place is fabulous! 
The service was impeccable and friendly. 
There is a small bar at the front of the building where you come in and a medium cafe on 2 levels at the rear of the room. On the outside of the building to the left from inside is a (temporary) covered smoking area that had canvas sides attached to it making another dining area for smokers. This addition more than doubled the dining area making the service given by the single waitress and barman exceptional. 
The food is stunning, delicious, beautifully served. 
My companion had a generous portion of salmon with slow braised fennel, half a huge beef tomato, beautifully seasoned. I had a duck leg with a Parmesan topping, generous helping of potatoes and diced root vegetables, fragrantly seasoned and slow braised in the duck juice and fat. Everything melted in the mouth. We were very hungry and had tucked into the mini iron cook pots in which our food was attractively served before I thought of photos.
The desserts were of the same superior quality. 
I had the best cheese plate I have honestly ever eaten. 
I am guessing at the types of cheese (this being France!) Thick square shaves of Parmesan, camembert and Gouda wedges, a slice of Chevre and cubes of feta slices of Jarlsberg (possibly Leerdammer - sweet, with holes) one slice was wrapped around an adequate and again delicious portion of very finely diced red and orange paprika, courgette, fennel mix, lightly flavoured with oil and garlic with a sundried tomato and parsley garnish!!

It was served with bread which I couldn't have fitted in, even if I'd wanted to which I didn't - I don't remember them ever serving bread with a cheese plate in France before...

My companion had 2 chocolate truffles with an iced coconut boule served with a raspberry couli and a mint leaf

We both tucked in, happily, ate way more than our fill and left very, very happy with the bill, the service, the food, the evening and hopefully also each other's company!

Saturday 10 February 2018

Labyrinth Amstelveenseweg 53, 1075 VT Amsterdam

This place rocks! It's an absolute 100% recommendation, drinks, dinner, hanging out, cultural entertainment

I cycled past here a lot before I ever went in.

Every time I cycled past it looked like a completely different place qua clientèle. My first 2 visits illustrate this point perfectly

a) I saw an fb add 'from spectate to participate' sounded right up my alley .  (apart from the grammar) I forgot my shaker but was able to borrow one inside.

when I looked in the window on arrival the place was packed full of under 30 wyte people. I squeezed in anyway, there was a definite Eastern European vibe going on but a mix of people also squeezed around the edges eating there.

The gang turned out to be Lithuanian. One person even offered to help me google - I was trying tos end an email, but itsl the thought that counts - the evening was brilliant, every thing it had promised to be and more.

Jurgis spectacular!

A week later I went in and it was not quite so busy but this time it was filled with under 30's blak people mostly girls.

the African Students Union, had organised an event. They were in general very Dutch, young people with African parents. Again an interesting cultural program was laid before us and the people eating there were again very mixed and non reflective of the programming. and there were a bunch of people who had come from out of town. By midnight the place was empty!

This place has a unique feel every time you go in and it's a different kind of unique every time.

The people who run it are really cool. Totally into variety, culture and the best service and food possible.

Having seen a lot of places come and go in Oud Zuid, this place is a keeper and the best in my experience so far.

Super cocktails - also happy to make alcohol free varieties, reasonable prices - for the area!!

Great food. Open late!

It's different every time but it feels like there is always a welcome to whoever crosses the threshold.


Thursday 1 February 2018

Omaira Eiland Jan van Schaffelaarplantsoen 1, - also on google

I avoided telling people about this place for years so I didn't want to put a review of it on the internet but as there are now over 10 reviews I may as well get my penny's worth in.

This place is really great - apart from the wait time , which is always fairly extended - because it is always super busy! (and to be honest they tend to serve Islamic people first, so be aware and get over it cos the fish is worth the wait!)

It is open 7 days a week until 9pm at night!

The service is excellent (for Amsterdam!) - you order your fish uncooked from the (regularly filled) selection in the cooler. It is weighed, you pay.

If you've ordered enough (and there is room) you may get a free (fabulously delicious fish) soup or the best fish croquet I've ever eaten (once I got both - and couldn't eat my fish when I got home!!) Though I have to be honest and say that this has only happened to me when I went there with my beautiful friend!

It is possible to eat in, especially in the weekend it is full of brown families. I haven't done that (yet) but that is mainly because you can't drink alcohol (obviously). Plus it is very small and basic

The fish is given to you deep fried and coated or grilled (coating is variable, sometimes nicely flavoured sometimes just plain flour) in a box on flat bread, with garlic and parsley, dipping sauce, olives, lemon and sometimes tomato. I've tried offering to pay for extra but it's not worked. I think you do a lot better in this place if you can speak Arabic

Most people come in a car so you can get it home quick and eat it while it's still hot. Lots of people (who clearly know what they want) order by phone and then come and pick it up.

I get there and apart from prawns and squid - absolutely delish. I never know what I want until I am looking at it. I usually order way to much for one meal but that is never a problem.

- I'm always on my bike or public transport so we have to warm it when I get home

- it's still worth it and still good!