In the northeast corner of Utrecht, just a block north of the Stadsschouwburg, is Biltstraat, a charming street offering a great mix of restaurants, shopping and culture. There are a number of restaurants up and down the street, offering everything from sushi to shoarma. There are places such as Bouffe and Het Licht, which offer something a bit fancier if you want, although Het Licht also offers a special lunch deal these days. Then there are cafés such as the quirky Te Koop, where you can buy some of the interior decorations, as well as food. There are also a number of new bars and restaurants that have opened up, offering trendy and stylish options, such as Inspired. Of course, there are also typical Chinese and Indonesian options, as well as Grillroom Sphinx, which has some of the best late-night shoarma and mixed-grill options in town.

If you prefer to cook your own food, there's a selection of grocery options, including the newly opened Kippersluis grocery store, which has taken the place of Super de Boer. Next door, there's the organic butcher, Groeneweg and next door is the organic grocer, Estafette, which also offers gluten-free cakes and assorted items.

If you're looking for a bicycle shop, there are multiple options, such as Het Stalen Paard, for both new and used bikes, as well as the accompanying accessories.

If you're looking for games and athletics, there's the Fitness Factory for your regular workout. For something a bit different, check out Laser Quest and Snookercentrum Ozebi. If dancing is more your speed, there's the dance school Club El Brillante.

If you want a bit of beauty in your life, check out Aya Living for a beautiful selection of home goods and furniture. Their changing window displays are always a pleasure to look at. If it's yourself that you want to beautify, there's Descansa Beauty Center across the street, offering personal styling, as well as massage and other beauty treatments.

Finally, there's even a museum for your enjoyment and education. The Museum Maluku documents the culture of the Moluccan community in the Netherlands.

Biltstraat offers an array of shops and services to suit your needs and the street even has an active presence on Twitter, keeping you up to date on the latest news and openings. If you're in this part of town, it's definitely worth checking out.

I've had the benefit of visiting Italy a number of times, as well as living with an Italian for the past 10 years. As a result, I've had the fortune to eat some excellent traditional Italian pizza. When we first moved here to Utrecht, we tried out the pizza at various nearby Italian restaurants, and the one we consistently enjoyed the most was Pinocchio's. The dough is tasty and just the right thickness. The sauce and ingredients are tasty and perfectly balanced in portion, and the pizza is never oily.

Owned and operated by a native Italian, the pizzas and calzone are made to order, with a variety of toppings and combinations. The pizzeria also offers a variety of pastas, salad, focacce, and desserts. You can stop in and order the food to go, or you can have it delivered, but there's no in-house dining. Delivery is free with an €8.50 minimum. The pizzas are reasonable prized, with simple ones starting at €6.50, and most averaging around €8.50.

Pinocchio's was recently voted the best pizza in Utrecht, a designation it certainly deserves. If you want authentic and tasty Italian food, definitely give Pinocchio's a try. They're located at Nobelstraat 26A, and are open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30-21:30. The website lists the full menu and information for ordering. Buon appetito!

I've been visiting Amsterdam on a regular basis to attend classes at the Writer's Studio. The classes take place at the English Book Store, so I've been particularly interested in finding restaurants in the vicinity.

The other week, I struck the jackpot, thanks to Bicyclemark's suggestion. Rainarai features Algerian food in delectable variety. It's quick, delicious, and a wonderful little place to sit and relax for a short time. You can choose a small or large plate, start with couscous or rice, then choose a number of vegetable options and meat (or more vegetables if you're vegetarian). They also have delicious mint tea and wonderful soups.

The location I visited is in the Jordaan, at Prinsengracht 252. It's small but charming. They also have a larger restaurant located at the Westergasfabriek, at Polonceaukade 40.

I've found a new Leiden hangout. It's called Francobolli, and it's located on the Apothekersdijk 38, close to the Haarlemerstraat (the main shopping street in the center). It has three levels, looks freshly painted and refurbished and has a great selection of sandwiches, desserts and drinks.

Scanning the menu I found a few things that caught my eye: Espresso on the rocks, appeltaart (apple pie) with organic apples from De Olmenhorst, and a sandwich with goats cheese, red pesto and basil. Yum! Unfortunately they don't have soy milk so I got a tea instead of my treasured latte. But the tea is served with a delicious biscuit that almost made up for it.

They sell "Ansichtkaarten" (postcards) and also have Dutch, Europe, and worldwide stamps for sale. They suggest you purchase your postcards along with a coffee or tea, and relax and enjoy the atmosphere while you write. Not a bad idea, I'd have to say.

They also have free wireless, and the password is printed on the menu. But if you want it, you'll have to visit! They are open at 10:00 (11:00 on Sundays). Their website is located here and you can follow them on Twitter: @Fracnobolli071

Are you from the U.S., and planning a Thanksgiving celebration? Perhaps - like me - you are lacking in the baking skills department.

Lucky for you, The American Baking Company is ready to come to the rescue! They offer a variety of delicious sweets that taste like home: think cakes, pies, cookies and bars. If you want a homemade pie delivered to your door for Thanksgiving, they are now taking orders for pumpkin, pecan, and apple pies. They have a first come first serve, policy, so be quick!

Pecan, pumpkin and apples pies are EUR 22 each. They use organic dairy and eggs, and roasted pecans. Some pies even come with Nana's spiced pecan crumble.

They deliver outside the Hague up until Tuesday evening Nov 22nd (a delivery charge is determined per order) and within the Hague (no delivery charge) until 3pm on Thanksgiving Eve. Quantities are limited so act quickly!

Twas a rainy Wednesday afternoon around lunch time and I found myself playing tour guide for an old friend from out of town. We're hungry and in need of drying off, walking down a street I haven't walked in many years. Up ahead, a simple yet attractive sign - "Two for Joy" - the name pulled me in, had to see what it was all about.

It turns out Two for Joy is a rockin' joint that specializes in Coffee Roasting, lounging, and an excellent daytime menu. This narrow café tucked away behind the trees of Frederiks Square has a great vibe, an excellent sky lit interior, and very welcoming staff. On the particular day I was there it became clear that its proximity to the University of Amsterdam makes it a location of choice for meeting up with friends for lunch and writing that overdue thesis. Unfortunately for me this meant the homemade vegetarian chilli was finished, I had to make due with a tasty but simple veggie wrap. Their own signature coffee roast as well as their creative homemade ice teas made up for the short supply of food.

If you're on the way to the Pijp or wandering along the Amstel river, you're surely in walking distance of Two for Joy and would be wise to stop in, soak up the atmosphere, and have a drink.

This trip was made extra special because I was participating in La Douce Vie Cooking Culinary Walk. We went in a number of wonderful shops on the Haarlemerstraat before exploring the Noordermarkt and the Lindenmarkt. If you want to learn more about what Amsterdam has to offer in terms of fresh, seasonal foods, I highly recommend this walk!

Even vegetarians have many different ways to think about eating meat. Some believe that meat should be avoided at all costs, and the look, smell, or consistency is disgusting. Others are vegetarian and avoid meat for ethical or health reasons, but still think wistfully of the days they used to partake in a juicy steak or crunchy chicken wings.

For this second group, there is the Vegetarische Slager, or the Vegetarian Butcher. This business makes products that look, feel, and amazingly taste like a wide variety of meat products. For those craving a burger or a hot dog, this is the place to go.

They have a store in Den Haag, but you can buy products from the Vegetarische Slager at Brandnetel in Leiden, located right off the Haarlemmerstraat. They even have an online shop.

Summer looks like it left us quite a while ago, but that doesn't mean fun festivals have come to an end. For example, from 22-25th September, it's possible to enjoy four days of fabulous summer eating, drinking and entertainment.

The Amstelpark will host the Taste of Amsterdam this year. Twelve of the best restaurants in Amsterdam will be preparing their most delicious offerings for attendees. Additionally, produce suppliers will also be present to provide the best fresh foods for the boutique food market. There will also be a Cookery Theatre, a Beer Theatre, presentations by top chefs, wine tasting, and cooking classes.

Sound like something worth attending? Check out their website here. You can purchase various types of tickets online, from standard to VIP offerings. The standard entrance fee is €12.50 in advance and €17.50 at the door. The VIP entrance (€50 in advance, €65 at the door) includes access to exclusive VIP Lounge with a glass of champagne, €25 of Florins, a Foodie Bag worth €40, plus the features (Cooking Theatre, Wine Theatre and Cookery Classes).

Sure, Sunday, September 4, is a Koop Zondag (shopping Sunday), but if you want something a bit different or maybe a bit more organic than you might find in your local AH or other grocery, visit the Streekmarket in Utrecht this Sunday. The market has moved from its past location in the northern part of the old city to the city's oldest shopping street, Twijnstraat. The picturesque street will be lined with vendors offering a mix of organic and specialty items, such as vegetables, meat, coffee, honey, candy, chocolate, wine and more. Many of the vendors usually offer some free samples to make your decision even easier and more tempting. The market runs from 11:00 to 18:00, and you can find out more about some of the vendors at the market's official website.