Dhaba-Mira Pannierstrasse Berlin

The main problem with Indian food, is that however fabulous it tastes, it rarely photographs well!

On one trip to Berlin, I stayed in the same street where this restaurant is. Inadvertently I ended up eating here three nights in a row! Je regrette rien?

The first night I came here I had wandered the length of the street and seen all the restaurants. Some were closed as it was early evening, others were empty and there was another Indian which unlike this one looked very inauthentic.

I was actually drawn to the menu on the outside wall - I can read food in many languages I can't speak!!  It offered an aubergine curry!


Plus I discovered the guys here all spoke English.

paneer pakora!

I ordered a ginger tea and an Indian rum and mixed them - utterly delicious. Someone heard (saw?) me ordering and asked for the same on the first and third night! The waiters told me and gave me a free tea (so I ordered another rum!)

The second night I went back cos I really wanted to try the bindi (okra) it was amazing.

The third night I ended up here again because of my raving about the food I had to bring my friend who was also just in town for the weekend. I had the paneer jalfrezi.

I LOVED the food.

Lost my photos...

If you like Indian food - this place is good (and very cheap!!)

https://www.indian-dhaba-mira.de/index.php/speisenkarte

Kema vlees/meat - kinkerstraat

If you're a filthy meat eater this place ROCKS! 

Shelves of pig, cow, sheep, (smoked) chicken and even horse! 

An impressive choice of pig products' fabulous marinated spare ribs, a wide selection of different kinds of Dutch bacon and sausage, fabulous black pudding. 

Everything that most meaty hearts could possible desire plus a butchers where you can order whatever is not to hand! 

The best thing about this place is the prices. Comparable to the halal butchers in the city (but then selling pork!), way below price wise and way above for quality compared to any of the supermarkets, unchallengeable by any other standard butcher in the city.

This is not the place for vegans, vegetarians or 'happy meat' (doesn't really exist) eaters. 

It is one of the few places where you get an idea of how many Spanish speakers there are in the city - they all come here so much so that it is the only place I've ever been where it's also got a Spanish translation and most Saturdays that is what you hear! 

Cheap and good - exactly what yr pocket n tummy ordered!

No1 Tourist Attraction at AmsterdamMuseum.nl

If you can’t get to the exhibition (Nov 1st to March 1st 2020) buy the book!
http://howtogoon.com/index.php/books/

This an exhibition that you can listen to, read, watch

This exhibition will make you think

This is exhibition is not for the weak willed or the faint hearted.

This exhibition demands and needs you time and your attention

This is the wrong exhibition if you are looking for light entertainment

This is the best exhibition if you want to be educated,

This is an excellent exhibition see and get an understanding of one shadow side of Western culture

If you enjoy being moved to tears, shocked, horrified, amused visit this exhibition

This is an excellent exhibition if you are on the fence about whether you support

the legalisation of prostitution, abolition or the Nordic model

Jimini Hignett has the stories (portrayed by actors) and the photos (masked) of prostitutes on one side of the small exhibition space. Facing them on the opposite wall and through the centre of the space are tourist trinkets – from t- shirts to snow globes, from clogs to a salt shaker and pepper pot set – all extolling Amsterdam’s ‘No 1 Tourist Attraction’ – the Red light district. In the middle ranged along the ceiling are the brown paper bag masks the women made (of themselves) and wear in the photos

All painting the trinkets create a warm, friendly, cosy picture, normalising the exploitation and sale of sex. Creating a vision (and a fallacy) where women choose prostitution as a viable means of earning their living and exploring their sexuality and boundaries while earning a good living.

It’s easy to skip by the close typed commentaries next to the trinkets, especially as they all begin by describing what you are seeing. If you get past that, it took me a while, then I went back and read them all minutely. They are texts from the book. They are the voice of the artist speaking. She is humerous, acerbic, sharp, intelligent and very clear.

I was appalled to discover that the cost of a session with a woman in a window in the red light district in Amsterdam is now €20 cheaper than it was 20 years ago. The cost of the rooms has also come down but still requires at least 12 johns before it is paid!

Prostitution is, in the vast majority (98%) of cases violent exploitation of individual women’s bodies. To cater to a belief that all women are and should subject to (the sexual needs, demands and desires of) men. There are no happy hookers who love their job and do it through choice. There are no prostitutes who would choose prostitution as a job if they were offered fair wages, an education, a pension, workers rights and protection and or the same ability to choose work times. I have yet to meet women who truly freely chose to do it, every single one has had at least one extenuating circumstance that led them to believe it was an inevitable or the best or the only option.

People who want to legalise prostitution, are asking society to give pimps and violent exploiters free rein to traffic women and children with impunity. The only achievement will be undoing every step towards female emancipation, equality equanimity and autonomy achieved over the last 120 years. People who try to convince young girls that the so called sex industry is a liberating or in any way positive place to try to function need to be criminalised.

What positive reasons are there (that do not centralise men their rights and their feelings above those of women) for the support and maintenance of prostitution?

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!

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.

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!

De Plantage - Plantage Kerklaan 36, 1018 CZ

Let me start by saying that our at table waitress who took the orders was excellent, I tipped because of her! Even though she forgot my wine! She effortlessly and without eyebrow raising changed from my dodgy Dutch (grammatical flaws which floor a lot of people!) to English and back, with a smile and warmth. 

The natural, bearded, ginger who came to our first table forgot my companions order and returned, with quite a bit of attitude to ask if we were going to order a second drink only to have to go and sheepishly but slowly fetch it.

 That is the main issue they are SLOW!! I mean really slow, every order (especially the wine) took 7-11 minutes, the last wine took 17! I know I was checking!

It peeves me when the help think they have to regulate my drinking, it usually means they are too useless to deal with customers who drink too much. 

When I went to the w.c. I cold see three waiters just standing, waiting for the chef to finish making two long rows of plates (getting cold!) so they could take them to table. And yes our meal (we ordered the same) was seriously tepid, apart from the fried octopus. 

Normally I would have been impressed by the meal but having just got back from a road trip through Northern Spain and down to the Algarve, the 'roodbaars' with mussels and octopus (there was another fish mentioned in the bouillon which was supposed to be but was not on the plate) with celery root, was definitely above the general A'dam average standard. However in comparison, to the food I've eaten over the last month it was middle of the road served in a skinny girlie's portion. Typical case of the more you pay the less you get! The idea clearly, that you have room for (and need) dessert or leave hungry! 

In my painful experience the best of A'dam cuisine (No, I haven't eaten everywhere - if I find better I will say)  is over thought, stupid expensive, with little real 'feeling' for food, it can't touch the simplest Spanish plate of something cooked for taste, price and enjoyment. Those three will always beat a plate conjured from arrogance and no feeling for food, surely? aparantly the creme caramel Catalan style was perfectly executed - but y daughter can do that too!

The blonde who came to demand a dessert order was unbelievably rude - she sat down on the table next to us, was absolutely somewhere other than service oriented, unpleasant and obviously a bit stupid cos she didn't seem to know that a) croutons are carbs and b) that it is not the function of the staff to ignore clearly given requests. If she had said (as they do more often in restaurants,) that is not possible or we won't/don't do that, I would be fine but to completely ignore me and then try to lecture me with a fact that I know to be untrue?? Sad!

Perleeeze (please) Only in Amsterdam. 

I am sooo regretting tipping them at this moment

Optifit bra - update

Just over a year on and how's it going?

Alas ultimately disappointing.

I have ordered three, that's over €200 including postage. Which is not a ridiculous amount for something made to measure (if it fits). Two of them give me wicked shoulder ache (leading to headaches & migraines) - due to the weight of my breasts, incorrect fitting and according to the manufacturers, women's desire for 'lift' which HAS to be a part of the design.

The third bra I sent in my own natural fabric (silk) - why do bra makers offer only synthetics? I paid the same price as with them providing the material. When it came back, there was a comment about the fact it was material that frays. 

In my first sewing classes I was taught that you make extra large seams and double them over or cut the material with pinking shears to deal with fraying. They left seams that were neither large enough to fold over or re trim with shears - while sending back more than enough material  to have done so. Consequently despite infrequent hand washing the bra fell apart after four
washes.

I have recommended these bra's to three girlfriend's who have each bought one and we all agree that despite doing our utmost to follow the detailed measuring instructions, none of us believe we got it right and you probably need to be measured in person. Or possibly be way smarter than we are!!

I see that the new updated website gives an alternative to their measuring tape of three measurements to take and 'they will do the rest'.

Currently I am bitterly disappointed and loosing hope. Of the two bra's left, the hooks and eyes are damaged and almost unusable and the strap broke on one. I cannot tell which one I sent to have fixed and know I to pay another €15 for postage. Which sticks in my craw to do for items that ultimately are uncomfortable to wear.

The lack of comfortable, practical, undergarments, for women whose bodies do not fit a very narrow spectrum is proof enough of the misogyny in our society, that there are no women with the skills, who are willing to address/solve this shows how deeply ingrained in each of us is that hatred of self.

There are two other company's that I am going to try 'The BreastNest' apparantly in Ca. and The Healthy bra company..... Will keep you posted

Uber in Amsterdam Rip Off BEWARE!

The Uber drivers are rip off merchants. 

They (want/try to) take the ring road around Amsterdam at every given opportunity (usually unnecessarily) and try to spin that it is quicker because of avoiding traffic lights - which is blatantly untrue. 

  

The ride I took on a Sunday night was quoted at €15.60 from TCA Monday morning, Uber quoted 15 and the driver charged 21.46!

 Of the 7 times I have taken an Uber ride 5 of those times I have been charged more than it would cost to take an TCA (standard Amsterdam cab). The other two times were long distance to other cities and then it was cheaper. 

There is no way to contact Uber if you don't have the Ap, they are unhelpful via Twitter - only interested in compliments 

This company is unethical and clearly so are the people who work there. 

I can only guess that their attitude is that; when you're being paid slave wages you think you have a right to steal from the people using the service cos you see them as ripping you off 

 I had issues downloading Uber to my phone but a few of my friends have it so I have used their accounts. 

If it was my account I wouldn't pay but as it's my friend, I am forced to pay. 

But I have learnt my lesson! They are NOT cheaper, just cheap

Hajé restaurant de Lepelaar Lelystad, Netherlands

A very pleasant and unexpected surprise!

I will have to swallow my words regarding 'Dutch service' and change that to Amsterdam service! From the moment we walked in we were politely greeted, asked by each person who served us our opinion on our food, drinks and service.

On the way out, I listened as one women complained about her meal and was almost shocked when she was told it would be instantly replaced and she didn't have to pay!

There is a wide choice of seating places with subtly different atmosphere outside and inside all separated from each other by glass walls. The whole restaurant has glass walls on the outside so it is very light.

The surroundings are green, lush well tended. Around the outside dining area there were lovely flowers growing and a nice view on such a fabulous warm spring evening.

The service was quick, the food and the portions were really good. The wine was above average. The prices were less than you would pay in Amsterdam for the same and everything was better than I have come to expect!

They had the most delicious, crunchy sweet potato chips (patat/fries)

The lowest point of the menu was the tomato soup. If you order a main course instead of costing 6 euros the soup is only 2! it would have been rude to refuse. It is self service and we shared the bowl and were satisfied, The soups were all a bit gloopy and the texture of the mini meat balls in the tomato was very dubious but it was tasty and very hot. The fact that you didn't have to wait for it was also a plus.

The large, tender, schnitzel I ordered came with mixed root vegetables; multi coloured carrots, swede (possibly turnip!) and diced courgette. My companion ordered the half a chicken and it was not small! Succulent, well flavoured and served with peas and diced smoked bacon, there was more bacon than peas I reckon! And the side of sweet potato chips. With a sparkling water, a glass of red, wine, one beer it came to 45 euros! Bear in mind this in on a motorway next to a filling station! I seriously was impressed.

The menu is very health conscious with the possibility to order a low carb meal! or change you meal to vegetarian or even vegan.

They aim to make it low additive, sugar, gluten and the quiona they use is grown in NL!!!

There was only one fish restaurant open in Urk and I am glad with gave it a miss and found this little treasure instead. Dunno when we're likely to be in the area again but if you are - I highly recommend it!! - Which is very rare!!

Saravanaa Bhavan Stadhouderskade 123, Amsterdam

The only reason I am giving this place such a low mark is because the pricing is ridiculous!


Yes, it is good, authentic Southern Indian cuisine, the service is good and friendly.

 Though I of course get collywobbles from the older white man (maitre d') in charge with all the brown people running around doing the real work.

There is a massive turn over. The style is quick in, quick out, places are just off on top of each other, bright lights, no table cloths. The decor, service and ambiance do not justify €5 for 330mls of beer! 

The portions are adequate, not generous. Our food was tepid when it arrived - fairly quickly - The gobi masala was middling, the naan was mediocre, the puri was fab. I ordered two chilli dishes mushrooms and paneer, both dishes came as an unidentifiable brown mass, without any heat in either (clearly geared to Dutch taste).  

It was tasty, good, authentic but below the standard of places (including their own franchise that I've been to in the UK where the same dishes cost ₤2-6 compared to around the €10-12 they ask here.

 

 Two people, two breads, three dishes, four beers €60? - You're taking the piss!

Byron Burgers High Holborn

–Apart from a place in Berlin – see my review blog – these are the best burgers in my humble opinion. You can order them to your taste and they are exactly that rare is rare, medium is medium and well done is....

Great vegetarian and vegan options!

In general I don't like beef and I'm not as a rule a fan of burgers but if I see Byron even with their London pricing I make an exception to my rules!

I love the fact that it's not a problem to skip the bun and that you get a generous baby leaf salad as a replacement. 

The additional toppings/sides and sauces are my major downfall. They have 2 types of bacon, 6 types of cheese, chillis or jalapenos, fried (crispy) onions, portobello muschroom and avocado! Here you get a (whole) half avo! To date they have all been good sized, perfectly ripe specimens.

I ordered the cheese burger Emmentaler – I got blue cheese but that was because I kept changing my mind. We had courgette and sweet potato chips (fries) both of which are fabulous, with chipotle mayonnaise.

The service is good; friendly, attractive staff. Anywhere else in the world they would be expensive, but this is central London so the prices are standard.

My companion is vegetarian and had doubts about going to a burger bar. I swore that the portobello and goat cheese burger – which I've had  - would amaze. I said don't bother with the veggie burger – which I actually haven't tried – I received thanks and praise way after the meal was finished!

The beers are pricey and not great but you can have tap water – also un chilled at no extra cost. But I don't drink, especially not cold water when I am eating – nasty habit!

https://www.byronhamburgers.com/

Hiba - High Holborn, London

Officially Hiba Express (there are three around London) – Lebanese and Palestinian

An utter delight!!

The lunch time service was quick and efficient.

There are Vegetarian and vegan options 

The waiters were without fail incredibly friendly, helpful and cute! 

The place is quite small but the placement of th tables feels intimate without being crowded.

A major start and extra brownie points for the complimentary (with regards from the chef!), super delish aubergine salad (baba ganoush) served as a starter with flatbread, oilve oil, fresh parsley and pomegranate.

I ordered marinated lamb with was a generous portion of melt in your mouth, perfectly cooked and well flavoured chunks of meat, served again with flatbread and minted onions. 

For ₤1 you are practically forced to take a side dish. I was very happy to have a salad with it again generous, fresh and as tasty as chopped lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber get, it complimented the onions and meat excellently.

My companion ordered a vegetarian mousaka which was nothing like the Greek version. A generous bowl of thick, nose orgasmic stew with lots of aubergine and other vegetables, which extended the pleasure from the nose to the mouth and then stomach!

Standard prices for that area of London

http://www.hiba-express.co.uk/hiba-express/

http://www.activehealthcenter.nl/ - Lilith Turk

My Body

My body was a burden
Until I met Lilith Turk
It was a vessel that carried my rage
I fed it with the hatred my food became
I drank until it wept then drugged it to numbness
I ate to not speak of the pain and loneliness
I gave it to others to mishandle and disrespect
Treatment this body had learnt to expect

Then I walked into a class Lilith, led by you.

Something changed at that moment

There came something new

My body was always the bringer of strife
My body until that moment was the bane of my life
The lump of flesh with which I was cursed
That reflected the misery of my mind, of my birth

When I do therapeutic stretching with Lilith Turk
My body is still a bringer of pain
The pain of information long held restrained
Muscles are messages of areas ignored
Tell of whole territories yet to be explored
My body has become a field of possibilities
Journey's beckon, oceans are made from seas

Only concentration and application are necessary
To accomplish the voyages stretching before me
My body has still its limitations

They are now challenges to be negotiated.

When I get down, consumed by depression and self hate

Which manifests in isolation. I cannot participate.

Still I struggle to find the compassion for myself.

Know I need to stop the thoughts churning, take the time to return

To connect with my body, to communicate and re learn.

Financial competence is my second largest learning curve

You wiped that away to let me work on my first

Lilith you are an avatar of Body Self Connection

Your stretching classes are a living message

To the body/self, to embrace, to love, to spurn rejection.

I cannot truly describe or repay the gifts you have given

My simple, maybe feeble response is these words I have written

My a deep and heartfelt wish is to express  my gratitude - Thank You.