Have you ever visited a website that made you hungry? Well, take a deep breath, click this link, and enjoy the most incredible visual treat that will leave your stomach growling.

I heard about Bakery Niemeijer from Danielle at the style files, and I’m so happy I clicked through to their website! Run by two brothers, they offer French breakfast, pasteries, and lunch options ranging from sandwiches to soups and salads. After the online images, I can’t wait to try out the actual food. Their menu is available online (in Dutch).

The bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 8.15am - 6.30pm, Saturday from 8.30am - 5pm and Sunday from 9.30am - 5pm. They are located at the Nieuwendijk 35 in Amsterdam.

Have you heard of Proef A’dam? It’s more than just a restaurant – it’s a creative design studio where food concepts are developed and executed. But that’s not all, there’s a number of uses for this great space. According to their website:

In Proef you can work relaxed at the big table, have a break in our herbs garden or cuddle one of the chickens if you’re sick and tired of the meeting you are in. It is possible to marry in Proef, you can ask the civil servant to come to our studio! When the sun is shining, you can eat outside or share a picknick at a nice place in the park. In the studio you can give a presentation while the fireplace is heated up. Meanwhile you can see the chefs create the most delicious meals and serve in the same space. They like to tell you more about the taste and the honest ingredients we work with. In Proef the food tells a story and we think it is important to think together with our clients. Food concepts are tailor made.

Sounds delicious, and I’ll be trying this place out this summer. Proef is located on the Westergasfabriek at Goschalklaan 12 in Amsterdam. It is open from Thursday to Sunday and it is possible to eat at 6pm or 9pm. For more details see this page.

There’s no shortage of restaurant reviews online, but here’s a great list that worth taking note of. Kira, the founder of Cosmo Polite, a service that hosts events for expats in Amsterdam, has provided a comprehensive list of her favorite restaurants here.

She has created an extensive list of a variety of restaurants, with brief descriptions, photos, and price indications. She ends with a wish list of restaurants she hopes to review soon.

One example:
Proeverij 274 - Brasserie of Quality
Proeverij is a well-kept secret, as it is a great cozy place to enjoy a good dinner and an elegant wine. A top-class brasserie, without any pretense.
Cosmo Polite Category: Informal restaurant with excellent food
Proeverij 274, Prinsengracht 274, T. 421 18 48. €€

It was formerly known as Ingang B, a cafe-restaurant tucked out of the way within the squat-hospital complex known as the WG Terrain. Ingang B boasted a theater right next door and a disappointingly expensive menu.

But then it closed and days later after some shuffling around, a new sign went up outside this cozy café, which read: WG Café. Suddenly there was outdoor seating a-plenty, an affordable menu filled with with Dutch and international cuisine items made with love. Of course being tucked away in a corner where there is pretty much zero traffic is still a bonus in this part of town, that part hasn't changed.

Still, when it comes to rebranding and the rebirth of cafés, the WG Café has done a great job of taking a long existing space that wasn't turning any heads, and making it into the kind of place where you're glad to came by and you might just do it more often. (click the link for a google map, walking distance from Vondelpark)

(also they're really into doing simple weddings, if you're into that)

Another sushi recommendation for Trippist followers – this time in The Hague. It’s called Momiji Sushi. Great décor, incredibly fast service – we got in on a Saturday night without a reservation and were finished within an hour. If you’re really in a hurry you can even choose to sit at one of those revolving food counters.

The sushi’s great, too. They have a number of set menus with sushi and sashimi mix. We ordered menu B, which cost 18.50/person. It was more than enough and delicious.

Momiji Sushi is a 10-15 minute walk from Den Hague Central Station. It’s located at Rabbijn Maarssenplein 1.

Visiting Leiden? If you’re on your way into the city or heading home, Café Midi is a great little stopping place on the way to or from the station. They offer coffee (made by a real Barista!), smoothies, homemade soups and sandwiches – think of a great Mediterranean mix like coriander, sun-dried tomatoes, and olives…even pesto and tapenade.

It may be small and tucked away on the Steenstraat, but summer offers even more options with a terrace perfect for enjoying the occasional sun. Café Midi is open Monday through Friday from 8-18.00 and Saturday and Sunday from 11-18.00. Try it out at Steenstraat 1B.

Exploring new places in Leiden has become a top priority this year. That’s why I decided to finally check out Annie’s, a food and drink cellar that I’ve walked by countless times on the way to Leiden’s bi-weekly market.

I was served a sparkling water with a lemon…and ice! Plus the water itself was chilled, making for a deliciously cold drink. I ordered a Carpaccio sandwich with Parmesan and pine nuts, also excellent and very filling.

Annie’s is very close to the market, located on the Hoogstraat 1a. It’s hard to spot from the street as the entrance is down a flight of stairs. In warmer weather they have an excellent waterside terrace available for drinks and lounging.

Hard to believe that there’s a restaurant in Amsterdam with its own greenhouse – but it’s true!

But the excitement of De Kas doesn’t stop with the unusual presence of homegrown herbs and vegetables. The five-course menu comes from whatever is being currently harvested and also draws inspiration from other seasonal ingredients.

I ate there on Friday night and was wildly impressed with the food choices: fresh vegetables, meat, fish, delectable pastries, and delicious wine. A must-visit – and completely unlike anything you will experience food-wise in Amsterdam.

I found myself at Schiphol the other night and hadn’t had time to get dinner. Unfortunately I was on an errand outside of security so I didn’t have access to the delicious options for air travelers. But, just past the main entrance, Per Tutti had always looked so appealing with its fresh pastas and pizzas on display. I decided to give it a try.

I ordered a pasta dish and some red wine. A few minutes later, my food was delivered to a nearby table. It was…reasonable. The pasta had been microwaved and tasted like it had been sitting out for quite a while before that. It was served on a plastic plate and the wine in a plastic cup.

Not exactly high-quality dining, but I guess I can’t complain for a quick 9pm-bite at Schiphol.

I had a chance to try out a relatively new eating establishment in Amsterdam. Located in the east of the city, Quatfass offers an interesting concept in food. Seemingly inspired by the concept of tapas, they offer a wide variety of dishes (from burgers to shrimp) served in smaller portions designed to share with your eating companions. They’re also keen on incorporating feedback from patrons and online visitors, and recently revealed a new menu with these suggestions in mind.

As of March 1, Quatfass offers a Sunday Brunch along with life music and delicious food choices.

Quatfass is open every day of the week from 4pm. It’s located at Ringdijk 3 in Amsterdam, just off the number 9 tram line.