Tasty hotspot Archives

22 Jan 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam Guide, Tasty Hotspots With No Comments Permalink

KARAVAAN AMSTERDAM | The All Day Food & Drink Spot

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On January 22, 2020 With No Comments

They secretly opened last week, but it didn’t happen unnoticed. Karavaan is open for business and we think this one is here to stay.

Situated in Amsterdam West, Karavaan – translated from the Dutch word Caravan, is located on the perfect corner on Kwakersplein. The building – previously occupied by Bar LouLou, was empty for months on end and people wondered what was coming. Ultimately, three experience entrepreneurs (the guys behind Panache, Waterkant and Ebeling) decided to turn it into the ideal place for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails.

Karavaan can be anything you want it to be – the all day hangout, your morning coffee spot, the place for Friday night drinks, a neighbourhood cafe, city oasis, or breakfast club.

The Menu at Karavaan

For one thing, Karavaan doesn’t want to stick with the same menu. However, you can describe the current menu as a journey across the globe with Mediterranean style food for dinner, European breakfast and a mix between no-nonsense Dutch and International lunch. In other words, the menu is ever changing with boundaries. We tried the pumpkin salad and the bagel with beet and feta cheese, which was fresh and tasty! Additionally, we are especially curious about the dinner menu to say the least.

At Karavaan the evenings are all about food, speciality beers, cocktails and tasty wines!

The Interior

With 3 bars, the total space unfolds into different directions indicated by changes in colours, interior finishes and light objects. The morning breakfast/coffee bar is located at the entrance and has a structure of mirrored light panels hanging above the bar, which can be flipped, changing from ‘Caffeine’ to ‘Cocktail’ Karavaan. This way the venue is suitable for all occasions and Studio Modijefsky designed the interior with this intention. Using earthy colours and patterns, the space feels warm and inviting. Parents, freelancers, friends and couples, Karavaan attracts a wide audience. If you need a located for a party or presentation, you can also do it here.

Drinks & Hangout

To enumerate their all-day-night concept, Karavaan is open until 1AM during weekdays and 3AM in the weekends. Additionally, DJ’s will be playing tunes on Fri, Sat and Sun from 10PM, making it the perfect spot for dinner and drinks with friends or colleagues. And let’s not forget about their massive outside terrace! From this coming March you will be able to soak up that sunshine and we cannot wait.

All in all, we are happy Karavaan has struck down in the city. We think this will be one of Amsterdam’s finest places to be, for a long while at least.

Karavaan
Kwakersplein 2h, Amsterdam
Website

Love,

Elke

Find out what’s new in our Amsterdam Guide!

16 Jan 2020

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam Guide, Tasty Hotspots With No Comments Permalink

ELLIS GOURMET BURGER AMSTERDAM

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On January 16, 2020 With No Comments

It is years ago now, but when I lived in London and I found out that an Ellis Gourmet Burger restaurant was opening near my place, I couldn’t be more thrilled. I’ve been a vegetarian for most of my life, so why do I dig this burger place you ask?

In comparison, Ellis Gourmet Burger is a little different to other burger joints. And in recent years, they’ve made an even bigger transition when it comes to their menu. Surprisingly, vegan and vegetarian dishes are well established on the menu so when Wander-Lust was asked to test the new latest venue in central Amsterdam, we said yes in a heartbeat.

Ellis Gourmet Burger

With restaurants in Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and Breda, Ellis Gourmet Burger is doing something right in the Netherlands. It has been a while since I ate at a burger restaurant, so I invited Sarah to join at their location on the Gravenstraat so we could pick and mix.

The Menu at Ellis Gourmet Burger

Honestly, everyone can eat here. But oh boy, those sticky flower wings. Basically, these are deliciously disguised cauliflower parts, glazed with sweet sriracha and panko-crumbed. Still licking my fingers as we speak. They are the latest edition on the menu plus they’re 100% vegan!

For mains you have plenty of choice between 11 burgers, sides and salads. Sarah tried the Quinoa & goat cheese salad (it was January, so healthy orders were made), and I opted for the vegetarian burger. By the way, the buns at Ellis Gourmet Burger are crunchy and not to be compared with the soft dry burger buns you get at Mac D’s. We all have our preferences, but I prefer this. If you still like the taste of meat but you want to save the planet, you can order the revolutionary and sustainable plant-based Beyond burger!

The Interior

It has to be said, this wasn’t my favourite location I’ve seen. However, the location is perfect for visitors, as it’s located right in the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam’s shopping district, near the Dam Square. If you are looking for a more local experience, try their other locations the Prinsengracht or Singel.

All in all, I filled my tummy with some good comfort food! Vegetarian or not, I can assure you, Ellis surely knows how to serve a tasty burger!

Ellis Gourmet Burger
Gravenstraat 20, Amsterdam
Website

Elke

03 Dec 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam Guide, Tasty Hotspots With No Comments Permalink

WILLEM DE BRUIN OPENT RESTAURANT ANNA DU PIRE

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On December 3, 2019 With No Comments

Gevierd solo artiest en de andere helft van de populaire hiphop groep De Opposites, slaat even helemaal een andere weg in en opent deze maand zijn allereerste bar/restaurant.

Willem de Bruin, bekend van zijn geprezen solo album Man in Nood staat voor uitverkochte zalen, speelde al eerder de sterren van de hemel in de film Catacombe, maar laat zich nu van een andere kant zien; als ondernemer. Hij opent namelijk een gloednieuwe bar/restaurant Anna du Pire, in het hart van de Pijp in Amsterdam.

Photo: Willem de Bruin

Wie is Anna du Pire?

De naam komt van de eerste vrouw van Bartholomeus van der Helst en leidde een leven vol kunst en rijkdom. Anna was een graag geziene gast in de kunst schilders wereld en was bevriend met vrouwelijk kunstschilders van die tijd. Vandaag omschrijft Willem haar als een zelfstandige vrouw. Een echte bohemian. Ze reist de wereld rond en haar ervaringen en de verhalen die ze opdoet tijdens haar leven vertalen zich in het menu en interieur. Hij heeft er voor gekozen om deze keer niet op de voorgrond te staan, maar het concept van Anna du Pire te laten spreken. Zo wordt er dus ook niet over de “eigenaren” gesproken, maar verwijst men naar Anna.

Binnen Anna du Pire is het smal en cozy. Foto Willem de Bruin

Omdat Anna du Pire als persoon ongrijpbaar is speelt ze met de rijke fantasie van haar gasten. De suggestie van haar aanwezigheid laat ruimte over voor interpretatie. – Willem

Het brede spectrum van Anna’s wereld vind je terug in het menu.

Het Menu

De menukaart bij Anna du Pire zal velen invloeden kennen. Anna houdt van reizen en raakt geïnspireerd door verschillende culturen. Je vindt er dus niet één cuisine. Op dit moment kun je tot 7 december de eerste try-out kaart komen proeven en zal er daarna gewerkt worden aan vaste kaart. Een ding wat zeker is; er zal goede wijn en eten worden geserveerd. Daarnaast zullen er wine tastings plaatsvinden, gezellige Sunday Brunches en natuurlijk mogen de muziekanten en DJ’s ook niet ontbreken. En dat is dan toch het linkje met Willem.

Anna du Pire
Eerste van der Helststraat 72, Amsterdam
Website / Instagram

x Elke

Voor meer restaurantjes check:

24 Nov 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Bali, Tasty Hotspots With No Comments Permalink

AN AQUARIUM RESTAURANT JUST OPENED ON BALI!

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On November 24, 2019 With No Comments

For years, Bali has been innovative when it comes to trendy restaurants that attracts travellers from all over the world. But no one has ever opened this kind of restaurant.

The Apurva Kempinski Hotel on Bali is one of the most luxurious hotels on the island and has recently opened their restaurant Koral, set next and under an aquarium.

Aquarium Restaurant done well. Photo by Heydi Paramitha, via Tripvanvas

As a result, dining has never been the same!

Even more, they serve delicious seafood and grilled specialities with local ingredients and Bali flavours, in an unforgettable setting.

So, when are you booking a table?

Are you curious about this hotel? Check our stay in Kempinski Doha!

Love,

Wander-Lust

02 Sep 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam Guide, Tasty Hotspots With No Comments Permalink

Jacobsz, the restaurant in Amsterdam that sticks around

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On September 2, 2019 With No Comments

As you know, Amsterdam has countless so called “hotspots” that are poppin’ up like mushrooms. Some are trendy for a bit and disappear quite quickly. But some restaurants are here to stay. Jacobsz belongs to the ones that stick around, and we’re going to tell you why.

Jacobsz is located right on the corner of the Middenweg/Ringdijk in Amsterdam’s Eastside. The restaurant is situated inside a monumental building and thanks its name to the architect that designed the building many years ago.

Legend says that Napoleon received the key to the gates of old Amsterdam right here, 200 years ago.

Ever changing menu

There is no easy way to describe the menu at Jacobsz because they change it about every 7 weeks, but we can best describe it as good, honest seasonal food, accompanied by the best wines. Ordering is pretty simple. You can go for a 3, 4, or 5-course menu that includes carefully chosen wines from different regions. If you are up for it, you can also opt for the 6-course menu, which is only ordered per table. If you know me, you know I went for the last option. Wow. Even the amuse with mushroom and cream made me talk about Jacobsz for the next 2 weeks.

One of the current dishes at Jacobsz

I have to admit, I didn’t understand every ingredient that our waiter explained, but I didn’t care. It suited perfectly with the wines they served with each separate dish. Because I am a vegetarian I was a bit worried that I would get less better version of what my man had, but no. You couldn’t even compare the dishes he had.

Every bottle is suits a different dish

It might have something to do with the fact that most ingredients at Jacobsz are seasonal and local.

The Ambiance at Jacobsz

When I visit a restaurant, the ambience is just as important to me as the food. Needless to say that the interior at Jacobsz is simple but warm. Filled with people from all walks of life. Young professionals, couples, business partners or grandparents with their children. They all come back here to taste their ever changing menu. For those sunny days you have Bolder, their private terrace that you can book for gatherings and parties.

Simple, but stylish

In conclusion, Jacobsz is here to stay and has officially been crowned one of the best restaurants by us and the people of Amsterdam.

Let us know when you are planning to go!

Love,

Elke

Jacobsz
Ringdijk 1, Amsterdam
Website

04 Jul 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam Guide, Tasty Hotspots With No Comments Permalink

IJver Amsterdam

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On July 4, 2019 With No Comments

There is a new restaurant in Amsterdam North we want you to know about! Located in the former Scheepsbouwloods at the NDSM wharf, you will find IJver.

Location & Interior

Where the IJhallen flea market is held every month, an eight-meter high restaurant with a large terrace is being build. Entrepreneurs Reinout Ezinga, Sikko de Jong, Tim Jongens, Herman Klukkert and Arne Kleijn, together with their designers, combined the authentic and industrial elements of the robust building with bright colours, plants, comfortable furniture and special objects. For a rugged look, the walls are covered with cold-rolled steel that has been manually worked with a gas burner. The restaurant space has a flexible layout so that costumers can have meetings, presentations and host parties from 5 to 500 people. Good news; there will be an outside terrace too!

Interior IJver Amsterdam

Quirky dishes

The menu at IJver is a fresh mix of Dutch and French cuisine, compiled by chef and culinary adviser Herman Klukkert. Herman uses ingredients from Dutch soil, with a nod to the quirky of Amsterdam. Beer is an important ingredient, in the bar and in the kitchen. Think of a Weizenbier stew in, a fresh hoppy IPA dressing with young veggies and a slush puppy made from cherry beer.

Food at IJver

In addition to cooking on the charcoal grill, IJver distinguishes itself with special snacks: from authentic curry sausage to jerk chicken, from home-made piccalilly with old cheese to Dutch-made charcuterie. In addition, IJver has a selection of pickled, preserved and preserved fruit and vegetables. Not only to uphold the Amsterdam tradition of investing, but also to make optimum use of what the season has to offer.

Beer & Wine

IJver has 34 taps(!), serves beer cocktails and has around a hundred different bottled beers. Wine lovers will also find what they are looking for with a wonderful range of wines from a local wine supplier.

IJver
Scheepsbouwkade 72, Amsterdam
Website

Love,

Elke

28 Apr 2019

Sticky Post By Wander-lust Posted in Amsterdam Guide, LUST, Tasty Hotspots Permalink

Nomads Amsterdam » The Restaurant Inspired by Travel

Sticky Post By Wander-lust On April 28, 2019

Last year, Restaurant Nomads opened its doors in Amsterdam. A one of a kind restaurant with a direct link to travel. Every couple of months they travel across the globe to be inspired by a different cuisine which then results in a brand new menu. After Peru and Jordan it was time for a new influence. Are you curious where Nomads will take you for the next coming months?

The Peruvian Menu at restaurant Nomads a year back

A trip to Portugal

Why is Nomads unique? The restaurant offers a new menu every few months where a different country is highlighted. This way, foodies can enjoy a trip around the world and taste different cultures. For the next few months ahead you will be able to enjoy the Portuguese kitchen! Nomads Owners joined headchef on a 2 week trip in and around Lisbon where they discovered the best Portuguese flavours. This resulted in a wonderful menu with fish, squid croquettes, vegetables

Nomads will take you to Portugal for the next 6 months

Portuguese Mackerel Escabeche

Good to know

Eating at Nomads is not very expensive! For just €25,- per person you can enjoy a Chef Experience lunch which includes different dishes so you can taste all the flavours of Portugal. For dinner the Chef Experience will cost €37,-. There are always vegetarian options available. Also worth mentioning; they have a large outside terrace next to the water. Winning!

In short, no need to book your ticket to Portugal if you feel like traditional Pastel de Nata.

Nomads
Oranje Vrijstaatkade 55, Amsterdam
Website / Instagram

Love,

Elke