ruudmaaz.nl – The Online Grocery Store for Foodies

We have complained many times about the poor state of food stores in Amsterdam, dominated by dreaded Albert Heijn supermarkets. With the online options even more limited we often ended up zigzagging all across town to get the ingredients we wanted in many small specialty stores.

A few weeks ago we discovered online grocery store ruudmaaz.nl which quickly has changed all that!

ruudmaaz.nl is a small operation with a big dream. The name is a play on “duurzaam”, Dutch for sustainable, as Ruud Maaz is set on providing Amsterdammers with an easy way to order the tastiest foods from local producers and entirely without plastic packaging.

The basics seemed well covered. Delivery is next day during a two hour time window in the evening. The selection is great and we quickly managed to put the minimum of € 50,= worth of groceries into our shopping cart and place our first order.

The arrival of our food certainly was a happy moment. Being used to delivery by a grumpy and sweaty Albert Heijn kid, the tone was set when the delivery team rang the door bell with a big smile. It was obvious that they were completely sold on the sustainable idea and proud of the tasty groceries they had in their bag. Everything was delivered right into the kitchen which looked like we had just gotten back from the farmer’s market.

There was milk and yogurt in glass bottles from local dairy producer Weerribben Zuivel, fresh fish from Fishes who also have a store in Amsterdam, smoked salmon from our favorite Frank’s Smokehouse, individually packaged sausages and organic chicken from Amsterdam based butcher De Wit, a whole week’s supply of seasonal local fruit and much more. Basically it was like all of our favorite shops had huddled together and sent us a great package of their best foods!

We’ve quickly adopted placing orders regularly and hope that ruudmaaz.nl continues to expand while maintaining the small scale spirit!

Amsterdam Food Festivals Summer 2010

Even though it has been raining heavily the last few days, summer is just around the corner and with it several great food festivals. To help you plan your summer in Amsterdam or a trip to our Dutch capital, I put together this list of my favorite Amsterdam food festivals.

Taste of Amsterdam – 24 to 27 June 2010

taste of amsterdam 2010Taste of Amsterdam is part of a world-wide series of food events that celebrate fine dining in major cities. The formula is to provide visitors with an opportunity to sample small portions of the signature dishes of prestigious local restaurants. Michelin star decorated Ron Blaauw and Aan de Poel will participate amongst a group of 18 restaurants. Guests will need to buy € 15 tickets to attend the events and can then taste samples from different chefs for somewhere around € 4 to 9.

www.tasteofamsterdam.com
When: 24-27 June, 12:00 to 17:00 or 18:00 to 23:00
Where: Amstelpark on Europaboulevard near RAI exhibition center.
Public transport: Take tram or metro to RAI.

Over het IJ Festival – 1 to 11 July 2010

over het ij festival amsterdam 2010The Over Het IJ Festival is a theater festival on NDSM wharf in Amsterdam North, across the water behind Central Station. There is an extensive program with a focus on performances by younger talent. There also are nice food options for in between, including caterers “One for the Road” or the pancake boat. You may also enjoy a trip to neighboring Noorderlicht Cafe, spectacularly housed in a cool glass hangar and sporting a hip vibe.

www.overhetij.nl
When: 1-11 July, exact program to be decided
Where: NDSM wharf on Neveritaweg 15 across the water from Central Station
Public transport: Take the free NSDM ferry behind Central Station.

De Parade – 6 to 22 August 2010

de parade amsterdam 2010De Parade is another theater festival with a strong food focus. The atmosphere is very much cabaret and circus, with all performances held in large tents around the main area of restaurants, bars and ticket sales. It’s a traveling festival that starts in Rotterdam mid June, moves on to The Hague and Utrecht and ends in Amsterdam from 6 to 22 August. Expect comedy, song and dance and other quirky shows such as the popular silent disco. And enjoy food and drinks from the Tacobar, wood oven pizzeria Fuoco e Desiderio or organic eatery La Rana. Tickets are € 7, excluding food, drinks and performances.

www.deparade.nl
When: 6-22 August, 15:00 to 24:00
Where: Martin Luther Kingpark on Amsteldijk between the Berlagebrug and Utrechtsbrug.
Public transport: Take tram 25 to President Kennedylaan.

Pure Markt Amsterdam 25 April 2010

I have written about Pure Markt Amsterdam, an artisanal farmer’s market several times, covering the fresh produce and the family style atmosphere.

So today I will leave with just a little reminder that the next Pure Markt is coming up on 25 April, as usual the last Sunday of the month.

pure markt amsterdam - flyer

puremarkt.nl
Park Frankendael, Amsterdam
Public transport: Tram 9 to Hogeweg, bus 65 to Pieter Zeemanlaan
Every last Sunday of the month
Dates: 28 March, 25 April, 30 May, 27 June, 29 August, 26 September, 31 October, 19 December

First Pure Markt of 2010

Pure Markt is a true artisanal food market that takes place in Park Frankendael in Amsterdam every last Sunday of the month. Every month of the summer, that is, as Pure Markt has been in hibernation since November. Coming Sunday, 28 March 2010, will see the first edition of 2010.

In 2009 I had fun at Pure Markt several times, picking up English style sausages, Dutch home-grown grapes and Canadian chocolate coated cranberries amongst other things. It’s a fun thing to do, so go check it out on Sunday if you have the time!

pure markt amsterdam

puremarkt.nl
Park Frankendael, Amsterdam
Public transport: Tram 9 to Hogeweg, bus 65 to Pieter Zeemanlaan
Every last Sunday of the month
Dates: 28 March, 25 April, 30 May, 27 June, 29 August, 26 September, 31 October, 19 December

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

Pure Markt Amsterdam – Last Chance in 2009

Pure Markt Amsterdam is an artisanal food market that takes place once a month in Park Frankendael in Amsterdam. I first went there in August and loved how the food producers personally offered their wares, providing insights and stories and encouraging people to taste their precious produce.

This Sunday, 25 October 2009, from 11am to 6pm is your last chance to visit the Pure Markt and stock up for the winter. The market takes places each last Sunday of the month and closes during the winter.

Pure Markt Amsterdam