2009 - Page 3 of 20

Impressions of Pure Markt Amsterdam

Pure Markt in Park Frankendael is one the most fun markets in Amsterdam. Every last Sunday of the month it brings together a wide variety of local artisanal food producers to sell their produce amongst much sampling and expert talk.

Unfortunately, the Pure Markt goes into hibernation in November and you’ll have to wait until March 2010 for the next edition. Here are a few pictures from the last edition in October to keep you interested until next year.

The Glühbier caught my eye because it was so random, but I refrained from it since lots of Glühwein will be coming my way in December.

Pure Markt Amsterdam 2009 - Glühbier

The pork cut chart is by the Berkshire Butcher who makes amazing sausages.

Pure Markt Amsterdam 2009 - Berkshire Butcher

And I had tried and liked the crêpes and galettes from a real French chef and his Crêpes-Mobiel before and had to go for a galette with truffles, walnuts and gruyère.

Pure Markt Amsterdam 2009 - Galettes

Da Portare Via Added to Best Amsterdam Pizza List

Until now there were three pizzerias on my popular Best Amsterdam Pizza list – Forno Communale, Renato’s and Yam Yam. Today I am adding Da Portare Via with its two locations in the Jordaan and De Pijp.

Da Portare Via didn’t make my initial list because it was mostly for take away and had some issues with consistency. Quality has been reliable over the last months and many people thought Da Portare deserved its place on the list. did post about them multiple times and indeed agree, because the concept of a no-frills shop with a great thin crust pizza and fresh toppings works.

The Jordaan location does take away only, whereas you can sit down to enjoy your pizza in De Pijp. It’s always busy and seats are limited, but somehow the order first and then pick a seat at one of the larger table idea works. And the pizza is great no matter whether you stay or go!

Taste of Okura – Culinary Workshops

TheAmsterdam Okura hotel, home of Michelin star restaurants Ciel Bleu and Yamazota is launching an exciting new concept for foodies. “Taste of Okura” is a series of workshops in Japanese, French and International cooking. The workshops will be held in a brand new kitchen and wine room.

The workshops take place in the evening or on the weekend. Price varies according to theme, from € 45 for a wine or sake tasting to € 130 for a Ciel Bleu inspired Michelin style cook off.

De Witte Uyl Fall / Winter Menu

De Witte Uyl, one of dutchgrub’s best Amsterdam restaurants, has switched to their fall / winter menu. The people who run De Witte Uyl are very eco friendly – they cook with organic meat and vegetables and pour organic wine and beer. Even the ice cream is made without any artificial aroma, color, flavoring or preservatives.

I especially like how they do the seasonal menu very well. On the fall / winter menu, there is sausage, smoked salmon, venison and pheasant. And lots of winter vegetables such as cabbage, salsify, Jerusalem artichoke and beetroot as sides.

That definitely helps when it’s dark, wet and cold!

Koevoet – Best Traditional Italian Food in Amsterdam

Restaurant Koevoet is located in the most Dutch of Amsterdam neighborhoods, the Jordaan. And its name, as well as the building and interior will make you think of an old-school Amsterdam brown cafe.

Quite to the contrary, Koevoet is pure, traditional Italian. It’s been run by the same team of Italians for a long time and they all live and breathe la dolce vita! All staff speak excellent Dutch and English, but they manage to sprinkle enough Italian words into each conversation to make you think you’re in Italy. And they really love and treasure everything food and Italian. The menu is geared towards people going for starter, pasta and main. The coffee is strong, short and smooth. And the limoncello on the house mandatory.

restaurant koevoet amsterdam - business card

Not surprisingly, Koevoet excels at simple Italian dishes. Look for mozzarella with Parma ham, home made ravioli, grilled fish or scaloppine on the menu. I love the Carbonara – perfect al dente pasta with an egg-y sauce with plenty of pancetta. And nothing beats the burrata for starters. It’s so unbelievably good that it’s worth the trip alone. It’s not on the regular menu, availability depending on delivery from Italy.

The wine list is short, good and – well – Italian.

Restaurant Koevoet is very popular and has few tables. Make your reservation well in advance.

Restaurant Koevoet
Lindenstraat 17
1015 KV Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 6240846

restaurant koevoet amsterdam - burrata

Praise for Amsterdam Restaurants

The end of the year is award time, also in food circles. The “Lekker Top 500 Restaurants” of the Netherlands magazine hit the shelves earlier this week and the “Bib Gourmand Benelux (Dutch)” will be available as of tomorrow.

Lekker ranks Dutch restaurants from 1 to 500, declaring a winner and a top 10. Amsterdam is home to eleven of the top 100, including Michelin stars Aan de Poel, Ciel Bleu, La Rive, Ron Blaauw and Yamazato. Up and coming Le Restaurant in Latin Quarter De Pijp is at number 99.

The Bib Gourmand Benelux, Michelin’s price for value list and breeding ground for future Michelin stars, lists 93 restaurants in the Netherlands of which 10 in Amsterdam.

No Amsterdam restaurant made both lists, with obviously the Michelin stars not eligible for the Bib Gourmand list. Also none of dutchgrub’s Best Amsterdam Restaurants made either list. They tend to be smaller and more personal with a less traditionally French menu that mixes different cuisines.

On November 23rd the Michelin stars for the Netherlands will be announced to round off the award period.