Author: dutchgrub

Amsterdam's First Underground Farmers Market

Farmers markets are a reaction to supermarkets selling more and more processed food, imported from far away and packaged for convenience. The markets started small, became popular when people wanted local, organically produced food and since then have grown significantly in size and popularity. Amsterdam currently has several major markets (Dutch) including the Noordermarkt, which takes place every Saturday morning around the Noorderkerk and is one of the biggest and most popular.

So what happens when the farmers markets become more commercial and small producers struggle to generate enough business to pay the stall fees? The farmers go underground! On 16 May Talkin’ Food (Dutch) will organize the first Dutch underground farmers market where micro-producers sell home-made jams, cheeses, sausages and more in a semi private setting. Details to be announced soon.

home grown and home made plum jam

Amsterdam’s First Underground Farmers Market

Farmers markets are a reaction to supermarkets selling more and more processed food, imported from far away and packaged for convenience. The markets started small, became popular when people wanted local, organically produced food and since then have grown significantly in size and popularity. Amsterdam currently has several major markets (Dutch) including the Noordermarkt, which takes place every Saturday morning around the Noorderkerk and is one of the biggest and most popular.

So what happens when the farmers markets become more commercial and small producers struggle to generate enough business to pay the stall fees? The farmers go underground! On 16 May Talkin’ Food (Dutch) will organize the first Dutch underground farmers market where micro-producers sell home-made jams, cheeses, sausages and more in a semi private setting. Details to be announced soon.

home grown and home made plum jam

11 Michelin Stars at Okura Amsterdam

The Okura hotel Amsterdam keeps innovating around its Michelin star restaurants Ciel Bleu and Yamazato. First there was the cool “Dine Around The Okura” concept where foodies could enjoy a dinner split between the two top restaurants. Then the Okura introduced an ambitious lineup of high quality cooking workshops in a newly opened kitchen.

The latest initiative is a unique six course dinner by three German guest chefs combining for a total of eight Michelin stars! The extravaganza will set you back € 249,= plus € 160,= for wine pairings and promises to be a once in a lifetime experience including free limo service. Reservations can be made online.

L'Amuse Cheese Store Amsterdam

I first read about L’Amuse, a new cheese store in Amsterdam, on Stadionweg, on Klary’s blog. She posted many mouthwatering pictures and a long write up of a cheese tasting. It all really sounded too good and I made a mental note to stop by L’Amuse on my next trip to my favorite bakery Le Fournil just down the road.

Then just a few days later I saw a feature on zestz about burrata, a fresh Italian cheese that is a mix of mozzarella and cream. I love the buttery flavor and smooth creamy texture of burrata. Unfortunately it’s hard to find as it’s only produced in Italy and cannot be kept for long. When I found out on zestz that L’Amuse sells burrata, I had to go there immediately.

l'amuse cheese store amsterdam - burrata

I did go and was not disappointed! The store is located on Stadionweg and has a modern, spacious design with a large wooden table in the back. The cheeses are on display in a large refrigerated display case. And the two friendly guys running the store know everything about them.

I asked about their favorites and recommendations and was very pleased to be allowed a small taste of the cheeses that interested me. They were all very good, but I had to decide and in the end went home with a brie de meaux, a sharp Montgommery’s cheddar and a fruity comté. And of course the main prize, a wonderful burrata.

In case you cannot decide, you might want to check out their web site, which has a complete list of cheeses with full classification and long descriptions.

l'amuse cheese store amsterdam - cheeses

www.lamuse.nl
Stadionweg 147
1076 NM Amsterdam
Tel: +31-20-6707559
Open Tuesday – Friday 10:00 to 19:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 17:00
Public transport: Tram 24 or bus 15 to Olympiaplein

L’Amuse Cheese Store Amsterdam

I first read about L’Amuse, a new cheese store in Amsterdam, on Stadionweg, on Klary’s blog. She posted many mouthwatering pictures and a long write up of a cheese tasting. It all really sounded too good and I made a mental note to stop by L’Amuse on my next trip to my favorite bakery Le Fournil just down the road.

Then just a few days later I saw a feature on zestz about burrata, a fresh Italian cheese that is a mix of mozzarella and cream. I love the buttery flavor and smooth creamy texture of burrata. Unfortunately it’s hard to find as it’s only produced in Italy and cannot be kept for long. When I found out on zestz that L’Amuse sells burrata, I had to go there immediately.

l'amuse cheese store amsterdam - burrata

I did go and was not disappointed! The store is located on Stadionweg and has a modern, spacious design with a large wooden table in the back. The cheeses are on display in a large refrigerated display case. And the two friendly guys running the store know everything about them.

I asked about their favorites and recommendations and was very pleased to be allowed a small taste of the cheeses that interested me. They were all very good, but I had to decide and in the end went home with a brie de meaux, a sharp Montgommery’s cheddar and a fruity comté. And of course the main prize, a wonderful burrata.

In case you cannot decide, you might want to check out their web site, which has a complete list of cheeses with full classification and long descriptions.

l'amuse cheese store amsterdam - cheeses

www.lamuse.nl
Stadionweg 147
1076 NM Amsterdam
Tel: +31-20-6707559
Open Tuesday – Friday 10:00 to 19:00 and Saturday 10:00 to 17:00
Public transport: Tram 24 or bus 15 to Olympiaplein

Restaurant Diga Amsterdam

I had cycled past restaurant Diga many times but never actually been there. Partially that’s due to its location in somewhat of a no man’s land half way between Amstelstation and Rijnstraat in what used to be an enormous Chinese restaurant. And partially it’s because Diga mostly marketed its cocktail bar when they opened about three years ago.

So I was glad to try it out when Annemieke from De Witte Uyl, one of my favorite Amsterdam restaurants, suggested it. She had left a comment on a post about truffles at De Witte Uyl, we started talking by email and eventually met for for a great lunch at Diga last week.

Diga’s name and slogan suggest an Italian menu although the menu was mostly French. Diga serves a weekly changing 2 or 3 course surprise menu. Last week’s menu was a very nice swordfish carpaccio, followed by thinly sliced beef loin with pea risotto and glazed onions. I especially liked the swordfish which was tender with great texture from having been salt dried. The home baked bread was a nice touch and the house wine, a chardonnay and sauvignon blanc blend, was pleasant, too.

Diga’s dining room is large and spacious and the interior design and decoration formal and elegant. Service is quite present and attentive.

I think Diga is a perfect place for a business lunch or dinner, much better than the ever so popular Dauphine further down the road.

restaurant diga amsterdam

www.restaurantdiga.nl
Amsteldijk 137
1079 LE Amsterdam
Tel: +31 (0)20 4044360
Lunch Monday to Friday 12:00 to 14:30
Dinner Monday to Saturday 18:00 to 1:00