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

Amsterdam Chocolate Festival

amsterdam chocolate festival 2009Saturday 7 November will see the opening of the 2nd edition of CHOCA, a festival organized by the chocolate industry to “inspire and innovate”…

I’m not so sure about the whole inspiration mission, but there sure are a lot of chocolate themed events. For two weeks, from November 7 to 22 there will be chocolate parties, bike tours to chocolate destinations, workshop, parades and much more.

Many restaurants and bars also participate with special chocolate themed menus. For example, friendly restaurant Bloesem in the Jordaan has a four course menu that pairs scallops with a white chocolate reduction and deer with chocolate sauce. And new top restaurant Neva in the Hermitage museum has an equally ambitious menu with chocolate jelly risotto and their own version of chocolate covered deer. Not up for chocolate menus? Then why not try a chocolate liqueur at legendary distillery Wynand Fockink?

Pure Markt Special 20 September

In late August, I finally made it to the Pure Markt Amsterdam in Park Fraenkendaal and had a great time. Tomorrow, there will be a special Pure Markt that brings many of the great food stalls of Pure Markt to Oosterpark for the opening of the Dutch Week of Taste.

That’s a great opportunity to try and buy the home-made sausages, Delft grapes or chocolate coated cranberries that I loved at the last Pure Markt!

Pure Market Amsterdam

Dutch Week of Taste

The national Week of Taste (Dutch) will start on Sunday 20 September. For one week, until 27 September, many restaurants, shops, producers, and others will organize food related activities all over the Netherlands.

Amsterdam is calling itself the Capital of Taste (Dutch) and will kick off the Week of Taste with the Taste Market (Dutch) in Oosterpark on Sunday 20 September.

There are a few interesting events on the agenda:

  • The market of 1001 tastes – a market with various food stalls organized on the area of the Amsterdam whole sale market on Jan van Galenstaat on Sunday 27 September.
  • The taste explosion festival – September 25 – 27 in Zaandam – a cultural culinary festival with movies, workshops, celebrity chefs and more.

For a full list of all activities, see the agenda (Dutch).

Amsterdam Capital of Taste 2009

Photos of Restaurant de Kas

The other day I went to Pure Markt in Park Frankendael, also home to top Amsterdam restaurant de Kas.

There was a spectacular light that day from a bright sun behind huge stacks of clouds. And since de Kas is one of my favorite restaurants, I thought I would share two photos of de Kas I took that day.

Restaurant de Kas Amsterdam - Chimney, Greenhouse and Garden
Restaurant de Kas Amsterdam - Chimney, Greenhouse and Garden
Restaurant de Kas Amsterdam - Dining Room from Outside
Restaurant de Kas Amsterdam - Dining Room from Outside

Oyster Party Amsterdam

Slowfood Netherlands is organizing an oyster party on September 13 in cooperation with Slowfood New York.

400 years ago Henry Hudson discovered the island of Manhattan and founded New York, then known as New Amsterdam. The local Indians received him well with oysters.

To celebrate the anniversary the Slowfood organizations of the Netherlands and New York are throwing a big oyster party. The event will take place on September 13 in restaurant Kompaszaal on Loods (dock) 6 at KNSM-Laan 311.

From 4pm to 6pm there will by oyster tasting and presentations by two oyster experts. The party will follow with oysters, movies and live jazz music.

Oyster Party
Oyster Party