Eating Amsterdam

I don't often get the opportunity to travel outside of the UK, but we managed to grab a week away this February to Amsterdam. If you haven't been, it's an incredibly beautiful city that has so much more to offer than its red light district, chips and 'coffeeshops'. In particular, Amsterdam has an awesome culinary scene that was begging to be explored... So I'm going to share some of my foodie highlights with you!

The Fat Dog

On the corner of Ruysdaelkade and Van Hilligaertstraat sits the entrance to The Fat Dog, adorned with graffiti, you feel as though you are about to walk into a biker bar to sink a few whiskies. But the inside of the petite Fat Dog is warm and invititing. Couples and small groups sit in candlelight, nursing big and beautiful G&Ts to an eclectic and cool soundtrack. With 10 gourmet dogs to choose from, you're spoilt for choice and each dog is intriging. I went for the Speedy Gonzalez -  Chimichuri, guacamole, sour corn, jalapeno-cilantro mayonnaise, pork corn. Although slightly less colourful than I was expecting, the balance of flavours was delicious. Finish of your meal with a hearty slice of vanilla cheesecake to share - creamy, sugary goodness with a buttery biscuit base.

Pancakes!

Pancakes! No I'm not excited, that's what it's called. If you're heading to Amsterdam, you have to indulge in some gorgeous Dutch pancakes. Either at Pancakes! or The Pancake Bakery. I opted for a Deluxe Dutch pancake with apple, mixed nuts, calvados and cinnamon - surprisingly savoury and well balanced. Rob's choice was a joy to behold - spinach, goats cheese, garlic oil and pine cuts. All the flavours of an excellent pizza but with a pancake base. Thoroughly recommended. Pancakes! is also located in the Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) amongst a plethora of boutique shops and cafes.

The Lobby

The best breakfast in Amsterdam? Head to The Lobby - part of Hotel V and right in the centre of the city. I was treated to a gorgeous latte and eggs florentine. The poached eggs were indulgently silky, a hollandaise that had the perfect vinegary tang and toasted brioche buns. Their french toast was laden with cinnamon and syrup, with a dollop of creme fraiche to cut through the richness.

De Bakerswinkel

Pies? Cakes? Sugar? Visit De Bakkerswinkel, of which there are a few branches. The classic Dutch apple pie is a must or if you're heading for breakfast, try the brioche french toast - with extra butter and syrup! They also do an excellent selection of sandwiches and lunch platters. Or you can even book in for a 'high tea' laden with delectable cakes and treats.

G's Really Really Nice Place

Continuing my 'eggsterdam' tour, we started Valentines Day with brunch a G's. Every bit as hip as an East London cafe, Gs uses old records for it's menus and has a whole list dedicated to Bloody Marys. I started off with a Bacon Bloody Mary and followed with their Healthy Benedict - two poached eggs served on spelt on a bed of cottage cheese with sauteed spinach & avocado. The spelt bread added a new dimension to the traditional florentine and kept me going for hours of canal walking. Rob ordered Le Beef Burger - custom-made for G's by their local butcher “louman’s” just the way G likes it: topped with lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle & mayo. It was juicy and slathered in mayo but gorgeous. I recommend the Challah Cinnamon French Toast - jewish braided bread soaked in egg / milk / cinnamon then pan-fried crispy and toppedwith banana slices.

 Little Collins

If you're wandering the streets of Amsterdam's bohemian residency - De Pijp, you'll want to stop by Little Collins. A petite Austrailian run cafe serving feast worthy food. The flat white coffee isn't widely spread throughout this city, so I was overjoyed to find it on the menu at Little Collins. Their crockery was reminiscent of Caravan, and I got a pang of homesickness. I munched my way through a huge skillet of Kasundi Eggs - Roast pumpkin, spiced chickpeas, feta, coriander, yoghurt and sour dough toast; I was eventually defeated but this brunch item is something I will definitely be replicating at home.

Lanksroom

Finally, the stroopwafel. For those who aren't familiar with this revelation, stroopwafels are made from two thin layers of baked dough with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle. You can buy them in supermarkets in England, but they originated in Gouda (Netherlands). To get a taste of tradition, head to Lanksroom for a stroopwafel with different flavoured caramels. Coffee Caramel is a winner!

The Great London Coffee Series - Peloton & Co

Crisp Autumn days with crunchy russet leaves and bright blue skies deserve good coffee and warm jumpers. I used to be unable to drink coffee at all without my heart feeling like it was about to burst through my chest. But after many years of slowly dripping caffiene into my body, I can enjoy the drug of choice for London's workers. A large part of my job is understanding coffee bars and how they integrate into the hospitality business, so naturally my interest in coffee has expanded vastly over the last year - I am even a trained barista! 

 I am now a coffee snob and proud. 

As a result of this, a couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to win a copy of London's Best Coffee's Speciality Coffee Map of London (2nd Edition) via their Facebook page. Their are so many fantastic independent coffee shops in London and without a guide to tell you where they are, you can drown in the number to choose from. 

This weekend, whilst at Old Spitalfields Market, we hit our first map shop - Peloton & Co.

 

Typography geek that I am - I love the logo at Peloton & Co, what a great font! It is half bicycle shop/half coffee bar and is as hip as East London requires. They use their own house blend coffee - Butterworth & Son Espresso and use Goodwood non-homogenised milk to compliment.

I had a Flat White and Rob had a Cortado. As a first test of the coffee map, it was definitely a winner. It was so beautifully smooth and naturally sweet, and gone way too quickly. Even the cortado, with it's bitter kick of strong espresso was delicious. Even the blue Peloton & Co cups were impossible not to fall in love with. 

A must visit for anyone in the Spitalfields area.

Busaba Eathai: The Start of a Saucy Relationship.

Busaba Eathai is one of those smaller chain restaurants that had always faded into the background for me. But that was because I didn't really know anything about it. What was this mysterious Asian-sounding enigma? One day I decided to do a little internet research. 

Busaba Eathai was created ten years ago by Alan Yau and calls itself a "casual dining chain" with 9 restaurants around London. But this year they've announced that they plan to double their estate over the next three years including two new London restaurants for 2014. 

Having limited experience in Thai cuisine myself, we decided to give it a try before seeing the anxiously awaited Veronica Mars film (It made my life - Veronica and Logan forever). I started with a Grapefruit Mojito with Vanilla, Mint, Lime and Chilli. I must say that I am not a fan of mojitos in general and don't understand the general excitement that surrounds them but this was absolutely delectable. Tart yet sweet and incredibly fresh grapefruit juice combined with a web of complex and intricate flavours. Plus there wasn't too much mint - my main issue with mojitos. 

To eat, I had the Sen Mee - which is only described as 'beef, capellini, spring onion and dried chilli'. I was presented with a heaving plate of fragrant, moreish noodles dispersed by tender, succulent beef, fresh spring onions, garlic and chilli with a good smack of heat. I could not stop shoveling this into my mouth. It was extremely undignified and I could have eaten a second plate (my tongue said yes, my belly said later). The most interesting part of the dish was the lashings of egg that runs through the dish. It was the perfect touch of umami to an already fantastic plate of food. 

After this first visit, I was quick to tell friends about the experience and returned just a few weeks later to a different location. This time, feeling extremely confident about what awaited me, I was less apprehensive in ordering. 

Straight for the hard stuff, I ordered a Green Tea infused Whisky Cocktail with Pineapple and Honey. Again the flavour combinations were spectacular and the usual bitter taste of green tea was enhanced perfectly by the honeys sweetness. I was so infatuated by my memories of Sen Mee that I did order it again, this time with a side of Chicken Wings with Pandan Leaf. Although appearing measly in size, these crispy and rich little morsels were not lacking in taste. There were different to any chicken wings I have tried before and I welcomed the change, proving an extremely versatile dish. My dining partner ordered the Southern Fish Curry made with Tilapia, which had a beautifully fragrant and silky sauce. Tilapia is one of my favourite fish and it brings back memories of when I first moved to London - everyone should visit Club 182, Wembley. This curry was served with a very generous fillet, which did the fish justice.

So as Busaba Eathai expands it's empire, I hope that they a.) open a restaurant near to my house - please come to South West London, and b.) I also thoroughly suggest you give them a visit. Even if it's for a quick bite to eat - the atmosphere is lovely, the food sumptuous and the prices great value.