Adrie Reinders

Lunch/meeting places in Amsterdam

Café Restaurant Dauphine
www.caferestaurantdauphine.nl
First of all, I’d like to mention Dauphine where I had a working lunch earlier this week. Dauphine is located very centrally near all the usual roads leading in/out of Amsterdam and, as an added bonus, with excellent parking. The restaurant decor is simple and moder, large and rather noisy. You have to reserve a table as it is always full to bursting! The service is fine, professional and quick, food is good and it’s one of those place people go to to be seen…

Wyndham Apollo Hotel Amsterdam
www.wyndhamapolloamsterdam.com
Second on my list is the Apollo Hotel – again, conveniently located with good parking. Rather quiet in the lounge area and a little old-fasioned to my taste. Service is good and it’s nice and quiet if you need that for your discussion.

Hilton Amsterdam Hotel

www.hilton.com
Lastly you have the Hitlon Hotel on the Apollolaan, very close to the main ring road (A10) and again with plenty of space for parking. Reasonably busy but never overly full. It’s one of those locations a lot of deals get closed. Great service, food is good but at a price.

Gallery Nico Koster, Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 44, 1017 DG Amsterdam
T: +31 20 7769991

Mid 80’s I started collected art in earnest – mostly based on dutch art post World War II.
The core of my collection was the famous painter Jan Sierhuis, from Amsterdam – and via him I came into contact with a variety of other painters such as Karel Appel, Lucebert, Corneille and many others. Next to the paintings themselves, which to me enrich my ife, I also added many contacts over the years with Gallery owners, musea directors (Rudi Fuchs) and was I honored to cooperate with Jan Sierhuis and Peter Halley to publish books about their art. In all, I met many art-loving, likeminded people all over the world.

It shows that if you have a common interest, it isn’t actually that hard to make new connections. People in such an environment are often prepared to help you with new introductions. There are many passtimes that bring you into contact with a specific group, often a totally different then the one you would ordinarily speak to in your daily occupation. This is one of the reasons I always promote developing your general knowledge and broad interests so that you know a little bit more then average about things that come your way. Until today, I have hundreds of people around the globe that I know I can reach out to, whom I have gotten to know through our joint passion for art.

Hereby a short description of Jan Sierhuis,
Sierhuis grew up during the years of the post WW1 depression. His father died when he was only 2 years old. During his early youth he took to drawing and working with clay, and was given a painters set when he was nine. As a boy he often would make long rambles through Amsterdam. He grew up with the many city scenes we know from Breitner and Israëls, representing a city full of simple people, working hard to survive. But also a city with a lot of joie de vivre and solidarity. Whilst Sierhuis travelled extensively during his later years, he remains a true Amsterdammer at the core of his being.

Instead of going to the Academy of art, he was sent to a local trade school to become a house-painter instead. This vocational training gave him the knowledge and understanding of the materials he would use to his benefit later on.

He, together with Appel, Corneille and Lucebert, is at the centre of post-war developments in Art. During 1945 he is admitted to the evening study at the “Rijksacademie” which he leaves again after a falling out. He is involved with the Experimentalists in 1947 and the CoBrA group in 1948. He does not join them however as he is considered too young.

Development of his work

Jan Sierhuis is above all an expressionist. He finds his inspiration with the masters like Cézanne, Matisse, Van Gogh and Picasso.
In his early years, he paints naturalistic landscapes. Impressed by the sheer power of abstrahism during the 50’s and 60’s he works in abstracts for a period of time. His work up until the 60s s mostly classifiable as Expressionism. After that you see a period during which his work is overwhelmingly about human figures. After that Sierhuis changes into more figurative themes such as dancing figures, portraits and landscapes.

During the summermonths, Jan Sierhuis lives mainly in Spain with his family. He develops a passion for Flamenco there which dance influences his work greatly. The flamenco inspires him in the last years to start working in 3D.

Exhibitions

Jan Sierhuis has had tentoonstellingen in the Netherlands, France, Mexico, Argentinia, Switzerland, Dutch Antilles, Colombia, Ireland, United States, Sweden, Denmar, Norway, Germany, Poland and Japan.

For those of you wanting to see a real Sierhuis – you can currently find a number of his paintings at Galery Nico Koster on the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat – all from his Flamenco period, rich, expressive, full of colour and dynamic. Worth a visit.

Restaurant Momo,
MOMO Restaurant, Bar & Lounge
- www.momo-amsterdam.com
Hobbemastraat 1, Amsterdam, Amsterdam – 020 6717474

Having heard various unofficial (gossip) reviews, good and bad, about this restaurant – which any new, trendy restaurant seems to have to face – it was finally my turn to have a meal at MOMO’s.

On entering the space, it was the fairly extreme white decor that catches your attention. Although done tastefully, it doesn’t offer the “wow” factor since many trendy restaurants and bars around the world seem to aim for the same kind of style. Comfort though was excellent. Our waiter, Tommy, did a great job serving us – he was professional and friendly and took the time to explain various items even though the restaurant was packed.

The food at MOMO’s is based on the “sharing” concept and the menu combines Eastern and Western food – whenever a dish is ready it is served immediately so that diners can share the dish before moving on to the next one. I ordered crispy (Peking) duck – which was delicious and definitely highly recommended. I also ordered some sushi which were OK. As a main I had filet of beef, very tender, served with fresh asparagus – an excellent choice. Unfortunately, I once again had to forego dessert since I am still on my lifestyle change… but I am sure to return and try it another time. I do like a cappucino though, even though I know the Italians would faint hearing that, but who cares – I like it after my meal. But unfortunately that was the only bad piece of news at MOMO’s – no great cappucinos.

Overall – I had a wonderful dinner and would definitely recommend you visiting.

Comfort: 8
Service: 8.5
Food: 8.5
Price/Quality: 8.5

A must go

Restaurant Serge, Utrechtsestraat 141 Amsterdam, www.restaurantserge.nl

There is a new restaurant in the Utrechtsestraat in Amsterdam, opened very recently. When I walked by the other day I bumped into Serge, the very first bar manager at Jimmy Woo and later manager at another of Casper’s ventures. Serge told me he had recently opened this restaurant, his own and it looked great when I popped my head in briefly during our chat.

This Saturday I grabbed the opportunity to make it’s acquaintance further, when I had to choose a place for a business meeting. It’s always fraught with danger to choose something where you have not eaten before when doing so for a business discussion, but I know Serge and trusted that he would not let me down. And he didn’t. The restaurant was very nicely decorated – an old style building done in such a way that it did not lose it’s character. It has a kind of mezzanine floor, where you can sit looking down into the main part of the restaurant.

The food was really exceptional – spicy fish cakes as a starter, and steak tartare as a main course. Both done very well – modern but without too many frills. The service was excellent, comfort good – noise level acceptable. All in all a good place to get in a good mood.

Food: 8.5
Comfort: 8
Service: 8.5
Price/Quality: 9

Recommended for a nice evening out – you will feel at home and have a wonderful meal at the same time.

Hidden Top Restaurant

Restaurant “Halvemaan”, Van Leijenberghlaan 320, Amsterdam. www.halvemaan.nl

Halvemaan (meaning Half Moon) is one of the best restaurants in Amsterdam, if not in the Netherlands. It’s been around for about 20 years and has an amazing location in Amsterdam but in a park on the water. If the weather is good enough (which alas, is not often enough in Amsterdam), you can sit outside – - absolutely gorgeous. In first instance you come here for the food of course, that is a given here – the quality always being exceptionally high. Every dish is served beautifully – a small work of art.

This time I had the steak tartar and lobster bisque – 2 starters, both beautifully served. It is a typical business restaurant, a little formal and stiff with tables far enough apart to not be bothered by other conversations around you (or being overheard if you don’t wish to be). About 15 years ago, I was a regular visitor here as my company was housevested in the same street. After 15 years, it felt as if I had never been away.

The only downside today was the main waiter who managed to rile me with his non-verbal communication and behaviour. Other then that, the service was fine.

Food:  9
Service: 7.5
Comfort: 8
Price/Quality: 8 (although I was a guest this time)

Highly recommended for a serious business lunch with good food and great wines.

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Sometimes you have these places that you know, but have never really seen. I visited “Gespot” last night, Prinsengracht 422, Amsterdam. I was there 4 years ago a few days before its opening and thought the interior a little overly hip and trendy, and not very inviting, so for some reason I had never been back there for a meal. As my good friend Roy is co-owner of the restaurant, I thought it would be nice to finally sit down and sample their menu, and, I have to admit, it was a revelation.
In the meantime, they have restyled the restaurant – which to me makes it warmer and more inviting – some asian touches here and there, sofas that are dark instead of bright orange – just a nicer place to be all round.
The biggest surprise however, was the food – Asian – with starters like dim sum, prawn toast with sesame or Sushi and main courses such as Peking Duck, which I love – nicely prepared and thinly sliced with chinese vegetables. All served beautifully and in small portions – a joy to look at.
Comfort was very good and the lay out in the restaurant the same – even though the restaurant was quite full – it never feels like you are intruding on your neighbours, or they on you.
As a dessert I had a beautiful creme brulee with sorbet. Service was of a very high standard, which is not surprising with Roy as the host – he’s one of the very best I know.www.restaurant-gespot.nl

“Gespot” definitely comes highly recommended.

Food: 8.5
Comfort: 8
Service: 9
Price/Quality: 8.5

Cafe George, Leidsegracht 124, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Still one of my all time favourites because of its atmosphere, service and type of food. The menu is simple, with a good selection of as far as different dishes and use of fresh produce is concerned.

My favourites are for instance a Farmer’s Omelet for lunch, or alternatively the Scrambled Egg with Salmon and toast. Or in the evening the great Steak Frites. I think Cafe George is a classic and will be around for quite some time. Service is always good, the owners are almost always present which makes a difference in any restaurant. During the day it is a coming and going of people I know and ofcourse the fact that this is one of Casper’s (Jimmy Woo’s owner) hang-outs means that a lot of people will drop by. It’s too busy in the evenings for my liking, but cosy nevertheless.

Food: 8
Service: 8.5
Comfort: 8.5 if I can sit in “my” fav spot, otherwise 7.5
Price/Quality: 8

Definitely a place to call “home”.

Last night I went to a great party at Jimmy Woo, www.jimmywoo.com, the most famous nightclub of The Netherlands. You will often find famous artists (John Legend this past week) and DJs such as DJ Hitmeister and DonDiablo at Jimmy’s, playing for a very hip crowd. Normally speaking the club opens at 11pm on Saturday’s till about 4am the next morning. Yesterday however was rather different!

The club opened at 2pm in the afternoon for a special Poker tournament under the begeistered leadership of Marcel Pantera – in total about 80 people partook, many of them famous from Dutch television. The club was temporarily transformed into a Poker Player’s Den! At 11pm the finals started in the centre of the club, whilst the normal crowd starting to come in… quite an amazing experience all round. Congrats to Jimmy Woo and Marcel Pantera!

The Oysterbar, Leidseplein, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

For many years, The Oysterbar, located at the Leidseplein in central Amsterdam, was the seafood restaurant in town. It was the place to get acquainted with the real Amsterdam. Perfect combination of good food, great audience and all right in the heart of the city. As happens more often then not, unfortunately, the restaurant fell into disrepair and eventually was sold to someone who had little affinity with it. After about two years, it got sold again to a group who really had a passion for a great kitchen and good cooking. After a year of intense renovation, the restaurant has been brought back to its old glory and has once again become the place to have great seafood in a superb location and a wonderful atmosphere…and all that, only a stone’s throw from my favourite club Jimmy Woo

The restaurant caters to every comfort, and has superb staff and service.

My starter consisted of fresh oysters – first class with an entree of Sole a la Meuniere – done just right!

Comfort: 8
Service: 8,5
Food: 8,5
Price/Quality: 8,5

Absolutely highly recommended

A good start to the New Year was created by having lunch at the Dylan.

The Dylan is one of Amsterdam’s most stylish and intimate hotels – offerings its guests a sensational personal service. The Dylan ensures an environment of sheer escapism and luxury. It is located in a wonderful 17th century Landmark on the famous “Keizersgracht” – one of Amsterdam’s canals. Next to being a boutique-style hotel, it is also a great location for lunch and dinner or simply a nice place to hang out. The interior is largely black and very comfortable.

Ofcourse lunch was not a heavy affair so soon after the Holidays – as a main course I simply had Carpaccio of beef with Parmesan cheese. It was delicious and fresh and just the right size for lunch. Service is both professional and friendly.

Service: 8.5
Comfort: 8.5
Food: 8
Price/Quality:  8