Fier Amsterdam – Uncomplicated Dining

Restaurant Fier – as in French for proud rather than Dutch for four – is uncomplicated dining Belgian style.

fier dining room and bar

The menu is simple. There are six choices on the menu, all tried and true comfort food favorites: Burger, chicken, hangar steak, pot roast and a daily fish and vegan special. Each is accompanied by a choice of different style of French fries, veggies or salad, and four sauces.

Most of the food is cooked in the Big Green Egg – an ever more popular combined grill, oven and smoker. It turned out lovely smokey chicken, juicy burger with lots of truffle sauce, and succulent rare, almost blue hangar steak.

fier onglet

The opening hours are convenient. Every day from 10am to 10pm for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks at the bar until late.

The service is quick and friendly, the tap water put on your table right away without having to ask for it, the wine list short but adequate, with all wines available per bottle or by the glass, and the beer options vast.

The decor is simple with bare brick walls, a semi-open kitchen, a long bar and also ample seating outside.

fier kitchen and charcoal

And prices are quite affordable at € 16,- for any of the main courses.

We dined quite comfortably and without any complications!

www.fieramsterdam.nl/
De Clercqstraat 79
1053 AG Amsterdam
Tel.: +31 (0)20 22 17 449
Open every day from 10am to 10pm
Public transport: Tram 3, 12, 13, or 14 to De Clercqstraat
Cuisine: Belgian
Neighborhood: Oud West
Vibe: Uncomplicated
Price: €30 to €40 per person

Cafe De Reiger – Solid Food in the Jordaan

cafe de reiger - business cardEetcafes, Dutch for eating cafe, are very popular in the Netherlands. They are some sort of a cross-over of a restaurant and a bar. They usually have simple menus dominated by steak, mussels, french fries, sandwiches and snacks. And they have both a bar and dining area. Some guests initially come for drinks, hang around, get hungry and stay for food, while others might meet at the eetcafe for dinner and then stay on for booze and chat.

Not surprisingly, the Jordaan, the most authentic of Amsterdam neighborhoods, is full of eetcafes and bruin cafes. And Cafe De Reiger – Dutch for the heron – is a great option for spending a typical Amsterdam evening.

Start by strolling through the narrow Jordaan alleys, look at the small boutiques and galleries and discover the hidden ornaments and court yards of the 17th century houses. Then check into Cafe De Reiger for steak and fries. And hang around for a few typically Dutch biertjes and mingle with the locals.

The vibe is busy and informal. The dining room is usually packed and tables are close to each other. The decor is simple with basic chairs and tables and a wooden floor that has survived many busy nights. You will be served bread and beer quickly and can choose your dishes from a large board. Next to classics like steak and spareribs, De Reiger has some daily specials, a fish and vegetarian dish as well as some salads.

De Reiger is an eetcafe. I go there when I’m up for meat, fries and beer and usually stay away from the other options.

Cafe De Reiger is located on Nieuwe Leliestraat 34, near the Westerkerk and Anne Frank House. Food is served daily from 6pm to 10:30pm. They do not have a web site, so you might want to call at (020) 624 74 26 to make a reservation.

cafe de reiger - dining room

Café Loetje – Steak and Beer

Café Loetje is an Amsterdam institution. Amsterdammers have been flocking to Loetje for a good steak with french fries and a few beers for years and years.

The authenticity and tried and true formula at Loetje is both bane and boon.

The steak and french fries are good. But the selection is extremely limited. Loetje only serves steak, saté chicken and a few other dishes. So don’t hold your breath for a vegetarian option. There actually is only one kind of steak, a tenderloin, served in a very buttery sauce.

The prices are decent and Loetje has a nice large terrace and also a winter garden. But beware that the wait for a table can be long.

Another great thing about Loetje is its location, near the van Gogh and Rijksmuseum, but off the beaten path. You won’t see many tourists and the simple, brown-cafe style interior will make you feel like a local. The service is, however, is as brash and slow as in many other Amsterdam restaurants. Don’t be surprised if you get an annoyed look from the waitress for wanting to order food or drinks.

Overall, there are no surprises at Café Loetje Amsterdam. The steaks have been consistently good for years, the menu hasn’t changed and the service won’t improve anytime soon.

café loetje amsterdam

Brouwerij ‘t IJ Columbus on Tap at Hesp

brouwerij 't ij - columbus labelCafe Hesp, one of dutchgrub’s Best Amsterdam Terraces, has added Brouwerij ‘t IJ’s Columbus beer to its tap!

Its selection of beers on tap, including Weihenstephaner Weissbier and several Belgian beers, has always been one of the strong points of Hesp. It’s nice that they have added Columbus, a strong and hopsy amber brewed by neighbor Brouwerij ‘t IJ.

Columbus is far from a summer-y beer and probably not the greatest choice for a warm August evening on the terrace by the Amstel. But I am sure a good occasion will present itself soon for having a Columbus at Heps!

Brouwerij 't IJ Columbus on Tap at Hesp

brouwerij 't ij - columbus labelCafe Hesp, one of dutchgrub’s Best Amsterdam Terraces, has added Brouwerij ‘t IJ’s Columbus beer to its tap!

Its selection of beers on tap, including Weihenstephaner Weissbier and several Belgian beers, has always been one of the strong points of Hesp. It’s nice that they have added Columbus, a strong and hopsy amber brewed by neighbor Brouwerij ‘t IJ.

Columbus is far from a summer-y beer and probably not the greatest choice for a warm August evening on the terrace by the Amstel. But I am sure a good occasion will present itself soon for having a Columbus at Heps!

Amsterdam Closed for Vacation…

I thought I would post a brief warning for unsuspecting visitors. Many restaurants and cafes in Amsterdam close for summer vacation. Around the time of late July and early August, it’s better to check to avoid disappointments.

I have heard of a few vacations including De Witte Uyl, one of dutchgrub’s Best Amsterdam Restaurants, and Yam Yam, makers of one of dutchgrub’s Best Amsterdam Pizzas. Both will be closed until 16 August 2009. During the same period recently opened Italian l’Ozio will be closed for lunch, but remain open for dinner.

amsterdam closed for vacation
Omnipresent bikes and closed for vacation signs in Amsterdam