If you live in Amsterdam, or are even just visiting, it is essential to obtain a spirit of adventure. And much like exercise, diet, or studying, discovering new places is often more fun – and successful – with an enthusiastic buddy.

Lucky for me, I have a friend who is frequently willing to get out the map and discover a new culinary delight. We often meet for brunch or lunch and almost always in a new place. Recently, it was Village Bagels, on Stromarkt 2 (corner Singel). A stone's throw from the Central Station, this eatery manages to capture all the glory of Amsterdam – a canal view, a beautiful terrace, constant yet muted traffic – and yet still boasts a convenient location.

True to the name, the bagels looked delicious, but I was in the mood for something different. I marched through a covered seating area reminiscent of a Minnesota cabin porch and from the counter, ordered a café latte and a biological yogurt with muesli (biologische yoghurt; muesli met appel en rozijnen). They arrived promptly, in separate containers. I mixed, sipped my coffee and enjoyed the final days of summer in Amsterdam.