Pancakes Amsterdam
Where? Pancakes Amsterdam (Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands) Map Menu
When? Saturday March 2, 2024
Who? Me
Food Style? Pancakes
Single diner privilege has come through for me and I skip past the queue of ten people to sit at the bar by myself. It’s a beautifully sunny day in Amsterdam, but it’s chilly outside and I definitely appreciate the warmth of this pancakery near my hotel. It’s got a lovely view of Amsterdam Centraal and it’s perfect for people watching. I’ve definitely been eating a lot of sweet things lately, and I feel like I should detox at some point in time, but today is not that day. 
The ginger lemon tea I’ve ordered is literally ginger and lemon in hot water. I don’t know what to think. But I get a mini stroopwafel on the side too!
Mains
Homemade apple crumble: with raisins and cinnamon
I’ve gone for the apple crumble pancakes, as the Dutch are famous for this dessert and I’m keen to have something that isn’t too sweet. It’s a large, thin pancake, slightly thicker than a crepe but nowhere as thick as an American pancake. But it’s light and fluffy, and tastes clean without feeling overly saturated with sugar. The crumble has a nice crunch and everything is well balanced. The menu suggestion was to have whipped cream but I don’t think that’s necessary at all.
Posted by Jeremy at 1:55pm on Friday March 8, 2024 :: 0 comments :: 
Burgerbar
Where? Burgerbar (Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands) Map Menu
When? Friday March 1, 2024
Who? Me
Food Style? Burgers
I’m in the mood for a burger. Amsterdam looks like it has a very strong burger scene, with some Dutch specialties like bitterballen making its way to even the local McDonalds menu. However, something else has caught my eye at this casual joint near my hotel - a burger with truffle sauce. It’s got all the right ingredients to make something amazing, so let’s see how it turns out.
Mains
Truffle Royal: Angus beef, brioche deluxe, parmesan cheese, beef bacon, chives, arugula, truffle sauce
First of all, I just have to say, I love thick cut fries, and I love mayonnaise as a condiment instead of tomato ketchup. Europeans definitely have the point for that one. As for the burger, it’s deliciously meaty and the truffle is subtle but there in the sauce. I think a little bit more arugula would have helped to cut the richness of the sauce, especially with so much fatty content in the burger. The bun is nice and soft and the patty is cooked medium rare, with a clear pinkness visible from the outside. An excellent combination of flavours that delivered. Some red onion would have been the perfect addition to add crunch and acidity.
Posted by Jeremy at 12:47pm on Friday March 8, 2024 :: 0 comments ::
Bakers and Roasters
Where? Bakers and Roasters (Amsterdam Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam, Netherlands) Map Menu
When? Friday March 1, 2024
Who? Me
Food Style? Brunch
I don’t know how I heard about this place but it sounds like a ton of other people found it too and there’s a long line outside Bakers and Roasters. I do know that it’s run by some Kiwis who have a classic Kiwi Brekkie on the menu, and I’ve heard they have L&P available occasionally. It’s located a few minutes away from Riksmuseum, and on a cold day like this, I’d love nothing more than a hot meal and drink, especially if I can support some fellow expats. I’m hoping single diner privilege will pull through for me, even if it means a seat at the bar.
I've registered myself with their online queuing system and take a seat outside. It takes about 15 minutes, but my name is called and plop myself on a table near the entrance. It’s colder than I’m expecting inside, but a hot HoneyBush feijoa tea is sure to warm me up. The flavour is subtle but it’s there. A spot of honey helps to bring out that familiar floral, zesty flavour that I know and love.
Mains
Kiwi Brekkie: two free ranged eggs poached, bacon, sausage, breakfast potatoes, garlicky spinach, creamy mushrooms, homemade tomato relish and hot buttered toast
I realise that I forgot to ask for no mushrooms. Oh well. Everything else is excellent, eggs poached perfectly, the homemade relish has a nice sweet and sour taste to it, and the bacon and sausage providing the saltiness to the dish. Satisfying and warming.
As I visit the restroom, I see some familiar te reo words: wharepaku (toilet), tane (man) and wahine (woman). Ka Pai!
Posted by Jeremy at 12:40pm on Friday March 8, 2024 :: 0 comments ::
Cannibale Royale
Where? Cannibale Royale (Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands) Map Menu
When? Thursday February 29, 2024
Who? Me
Food Style? Pub Food
I’m in the mood for something Western, and after gorging myself on the best Chinese and Malaysian food for the past three weeks. I’ve settled on steak, though the name of the restaurant I’ve chosen is slightly odd - I do hope they’re serving beef steaks from a cow here and not the other other red meat. It takes a while for someone to notice that I’ve sat down without a menu, but we get there in the end. Prices are pretty expensive so I hope I’m getting something good quality and hearty.
Mains
Le Modeste: Flat iron steak with sweet potato fries and fresh Cannibale sauce
The sweet potato fries are very good. They go better with the steak’s mayo than the herby sauce they’ve given me. The steak is cooked beautifully, it’s juicy and pink on the inside, and the chimichurri (which cost €2) was worth the extra expense, I don’t even want the barbeque sauce they’ve given me. The pickled onions are an excellent side, and the acidity helps to balance all the rich flavours everywhere else. I've been given a large chopping knife to slice up my steak, which I find strange, but perhaps thematic?
Posted by Jeremy at 12:33pm on Friday March 8, 2024 :: 0 comments ::
Dabka
Where? Dabka (Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands) Map
When? Thursday February 29, 2024
Who? Me
Food Style? Lebanese
I’ve left the warmth of Kuala Lumpur and now I’m in cold, wet Amsterdam. I arrived and checked in to my hotel about 30 mins ago, and now I want something quick and simple for lunch as I try to readjust to the European timezone. I’ve heard Dutch food is not great, and they mostly specialize in waffles, pancakes, cheese and fries. However, near my hotel is this Lebanese place and although the prices are pretty expensive given I’ve just come from Malaysian prices, they have a special grilled chicken with salad and rice for €12. The restaurant is full of different people speaking different languages and it’s kinda nice that I can just speak English normally without feeling too foreign.
Mains
Grilled chicken with salad and rice
My goodness this is a large plate. But it smells fantastic and I’m instantly hungry. The flatbread is crispy and tasty, the salad well dressed. The chicken itself is grilled nicely with lots of flavour and spice, but a tad dry. It's not too bad with the garlic yogurt and that spot of chilli sauce gives it a bit of kick. In any case, it delivered a simple, straightforward meal and satisfied and ready to explore the city.
Posted by Jeremy at 12:26pm on Friday March 8, 2024 :: 0 comments ::