Hello Netherlands!
By Kat Thomas and Matt Bourquardez, Edible Skinny
In
early Spring Edible Skinny was lucky enough to spend 8 days in The
Netherlands. And while on our trek of this Dutch wonderland, we
discovered this country far and wide. We saw it all in
Koninkrijk der Nederlanden (aka the Kingdom of the Low Countries)
from Amsterdam’s fairy tale canals walks where we were trailed by
local cats to the clandestine cannabis coffeeshops to Pancakes,
Pancakes, and more Pancakes! (the Dutch LOVE their Pancakes!) to the
solitude of the North Sea and its citadel windmills that soldier on
against 25 mph winds to the salaciousness of the Red Light District
So
here’s to life being delicious, all your moments being postcard
worthy, and life always giving you Pancakes, Pancakes, and more
Pancakes!
Mercure
Hotel Amsterdam City
We
LOVE LOVE LOVED this hotel!!! Located on the Amstel river, it was the
perfect amount of distance from Amsterdam Centrum with easy access to
the Metro and bikes available for rental. From its
complementary Sauna, Steam Room, Ice Bath, and Gym (gotta LOVE
Europe’s embracement of the art of relaxation) to the STACH in the
Lobby (a chain of corner grocery stores that sell gourmet coffees,
pastries, wine, and juices), it was perfect spot for just
arriving Americans. The rooms had plenty of USB plugs (great for
Americans who only brought a few converters…) and free WiFI that
was strong enough to stream Netflix (for those jetlagged 9 hour
difference nights)! The Hotel Lobby bar, festooned with hundreds of
metal fish schooling around it, invited us to connected with multiple
Americans while sharing some local beers. 
The
Bulldog
After
a quick post flight nap we hopped onto the Metro via our I amsterdam
City Cards (which gives you unlimited access to Amsterdam’s GVB
public transport system (which includes all buses, trams and Metros
in the city) for 24, 48, 72 or 96 hours). We exited at
Amsterdam Centrum and headed over to the Bulldog for some legal
cannabis. Amsterdam’s first coffee shop, their legacy started in
1974 in a sex-shop located in the cellar of house number 90. What
started as a living room for friends where they secretly smoked
joints is now an Amsterdam (and Canadian) institution with 4 Cafes, 5
Coffeeshops, 3 Souvenir Shops, and 3 Hotels worldwide. Our
first night in Amsterdam we got a gram of Sativa and 2 Hot Chocolates
with Whip Cream (it costs extra… there’s a reason why cheap dates
are known as “Going Dutch”) and our complimentary cookie (making
up for the Whip Cream) and relaxed into the chillest vibe in town.
Open from 7am to 1pm it’s an experience not to be missed!
Burgerland
Sufficiently
stoned we headed over to Burgerland, an all night joint located
around the corner. There we consumed two of Amsterdam’s most
prevalent offerings: Burgers and French Fries. While we nooshed on
these Dutch staples we learned about Irish Beef (a grass fed beef
that’s known to be leaner in cut and always comes in pieces versus
a burger patty!). This bovine delight was topped with one of
the city’s favorite souvenirs: Old Amsterdam Cheese. Our French Fry
sauce (which naturally we had to pay for...) included the requisite
mayonnaise! We had begun our Dutch cullinary adventure!
Amsterdam
Noord
The
next day we hoped a quick (FREE) ferry ride across the River IJ and
Amsterdam's harbour, to Amsterdam Noord (North). Created during the
Golden Age of Dutch trade, it later became a substantial industrial
district. Today's Noord has grown into the much-revered bastion of
Amsterdam's alternative culture, the heart of Amsterdam’s indie art
scene, having refurbished many old shipping warehouses to host trendy
eateries, exhibition, and performance spaces, artist studios.
Noord’s rebirth was accelerated by Amsterdam’s urgent need
for unexplored real estate for Amsterdam's growing population. While
there we swung on the swings of the area’s multitude of parks,
checked out the I amsterdam Sign (they’re strategically placed
throughout town and are fantastic IG spots), and dined at the Super
Duper FAB SMAAQT! The restaurant’s cozy interior, decorated with
warm woods, bricks, and leathers, complimented the best burger we had
in Amsterdam (which is saying a lot!) on a black pepper bun!
Amstel
Boathouse
The
next day we dined at the Amstel Boathouse, located right on the
Amstel River. There we experimented with one of the Dutch’s
favorite appetizers: Bitterballen. Bitterballen are crispy deep-fried
breaded rounds with a tender, savory filling traditionally made with
beef. Think of it as a deep fried meatball that is more mushy
in the middle. Neither Matt or mine favorites, we were still glad we
were able to experience a classic Dutch dish!
Albert
Heijn
One
of my favorite things to do in other countries is go supermarket
shopping! Grocery stores are windows into different cultures.
While exploring them you get to see what’s favored in different
cuisines (in The Netherlands it’s meat and potatoes… Shocker!)
along with differences in packaging! So we entered Albert
Heijn, the largest and oldest Dutch supermarket chain founded in
1887, while there we bought wine for 6 Euros, prosciutto for 5 Euros,
and Strawberries for 12 Euros!
I
amsterdam City Card
While
in Amsterdam we rocked our 72 hour I amsterdam City Card. The
I amsterdam City Card is the most convenient and affordable way to
experience Amsterdam as along
with the aforementioned public transport pass. Our card
procured entrance to over 50 world class museums around the city
including Van Gogh Museum, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Rembrandt
House Museum, ARTIS Royal Zoo, and Amsterdam Museum. The I
amsterdam City Card also allowed us various boat cruise options
through the charming canals that grace the city; we chose the Lovers
Cruise. Along with endless forms of entertainment it also allows for
over 60 discounted offers around Amsterdam.
The
Rijksmuseum
Rent
A Bike Amsterdam
Amsterdam
has more bicycles than people: an estimated 1 million bikes to
800,000 residents. So it seemed fitting that we would have to explore
the city on two wheels! Our rentals came from Rent A Bike
Amsterdam (one of the least expensive places in town with a 24 hour
rate of 10 Euros plus deposit). Every single day Amsterdammers
collectively travel 1.2 million miles on bike, so as we whizzed past
the picknickers and boot campers of parks such as Het Vondelpark we
felt right at home! Just watch out for other two wheelers as
bike accidents can be quite nasty! Best to invest in that adorable
bike bell (that for Kat it said “I LOVE MY BIKE”).
Foodhallen
It
took three years to rehabilitate the old tram depot into a food hall
that offers more gourmet food than you can ever consume. Wood-oven
pizza? Check! Poke bowls? Check! Spanish Tapas? Check! There’s even
a restaurant/nightclub that has a “pool,” and when we mean pool
we mean an empty swimming pool with pillows for that perfect IG shot
(they’re everywhere…. EVERYWHERE!!!).
Coster
Diamonds’ Factory and Diamond Museum
Another
free entry through our I amsterdam City Card, we toured Coster
Diamonds’ Factory and Diamond Museum. Coster Diamonds has
played a key role in helping Amsterdam become known as “the City of
Diamond “ and the sparkle and shine of this location didn’t
disappoint! Annually Coster Diamonds welcomes some 350,000
visitors who come to marvel at the extensive collection of loose and
set diamonds, and admire the Dutch capital's largest collection of
stones weighing over 1.00 carat.
Lovers
Canal Cruise
Everything
is Amsterdam is better when viewed from a boat, and a quick one-hour
tour is a great way to acquaint yourself with the city! Our
boat cruise was included in our I amsterdam City Card allowing us to
experience the city from yet another vantage point (Centraal Station
looks completely different (peaceful) from the water than when
running to make a train to the northernmost point in The Netherlands
(chaotic)). Our Lovers Canal Cruise included GPS Audio Guide
available on board in over 60 languages to educated ourselves on a
bit more Dutch culture. And with Hop-On/Hop-Off ability and
departures happening two to four times per hour, there’s no reason
not to get to know the beautiful Dutch capital on a charming canal
boat!
De Vier Pilaren
Pancakes
for breakfast (or lunch or dinner). You can't spend a day in
Amsterdam without sampling the nation's favorite dish! For in
the Netherlands, pancakes are actually considered a main meal, or in
the case of poffertjes (small fluffy versions), a sweet snack. While
in Amsterdam we dined at the carousel like De Vier Pilaren. This
mobile restaurant used to travel the funfairs of Holland before
settling on the waterfront dock “leidsebosje” and becoming a
popular tourist destination…. Dutch pancakes are thinner than
the US version, and they’re served either savory or sweet with
Stroop (molasses) and powdered sugar. So Pancakes, Pancakes, and more
Pancakes!
Ijscuypje
The
Red Light District
XXX
is the logo of Amsterdam (though ironically the reason isn’t dirty
in the least…) but with Kat’s burlesque background, we had to
explore De Walle aka The Red Light District. De Wallen
is
the largest and best known red light district in Amsterdam,
consisting of a network of alleys containing approximately three
hundred one-room cabins rented by prostitutes who offer their sexual
services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated
with red lights. Window
prostitution is the most visible and typical kind of red light
district sex work in Amsterdam with the "kamers" are a
large tourist attraction. A great book documenting the life and
experiences of an Amsterdam prostitute is David Wienir’s Amsterdam
Exposed (reviewed a few weeks ago by Kat).
Kat
Thomas is the Editor in Chief of Edible Skinny, a site dedicated to
making your life postcard worthy. She is also the CEO of the creative
media company This Way Adventures. You can find more about both
brands at
http://www.thiswayadventures.com
Matt
Bourquardez is a Writer for Edible Skinny. He has traveled the globe
and rarely sees his house.
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