Let me apologize...it was only after the link was posted that Nevermind went and read abby's post.

However, I still stand by my first statement

I'm sorry pmgoosed but nevermind could have saved him/her self a lot of keystrokes and learned a LOT more if he/she had just typed 'amsterdam restaurant' into the *search this forum* box above.

BTW, what is "down time?"

hopscotch,

I think that your response to my question is unkind and uncalled for. I was under the impression that this forum is a place for people to share their experiences.

If one searches this forum for "amsterdam restaurants" (using quotes) a total of 23 posts comes up, ranging from 1998 to 2006. If the search is entered without quotes, a lot of interesting things come up, but few are "to the point". Interesting reading they may be, but very time consuming and containing more information than I need.

Your suggestion that my asking about other people's experiences in a city I have never visited is somehow tantamount to asking what kind of car I should buy is a pretty silly analogy. Your assumption that I have not already done my own research is just plain wrong.

Lumpy1 - I want to make better use of my time than to spend it all reading menus. My hope is to have somewhat of a plan, so I can see as much as my short time in Amsterdam will allow. We appear to have different touring styles.

I am very excited about my upcoming trip, and appreciate those who are generous enough to share their opinions with me. Thank you.

3 trips to Amsterdam, 3 trips to In De Waag. Great on a sunny day outside, great on a rainly day inside, especially for dinner. www.indewaag.nl/en/index.htm

hopscotch,

Down time is something I, and most others rarely have. Either you are being sarcastic or you need to figure it out on your own.

Irishdame...ever been to the cafe directly caddy corner to indewaag? Cool for light snacks, beer, wine and cheese. For the life of me I cant remember the name. It is an upscale version of an old Bruijn house.

pmgoosed, I was so taken aback by hopscotch last night, that I didn't thank you for your suggestions. I think it must mean something that you have the Pancake Bakery on speed dial... Now that is what I call a recommendation!! Thanks, too, for helping me not feel so attacked!

MaureenB, I must admit to being intrigued by "foamy asparagus" soup. I tried looking up Stout! on the internet, but it appears their website is in Dutch only. My Dutch language CDs did arrive from Amazon today, but somehow I don't think they'll help me much in understanding the website. My goal is to learn to say "please, thank you, and excuse me", for which the CDs should suffice!

irishdame, 3 trips to Amsterdam, 3 trips to In De Wagg -- that's exactly the kind of feedback travelers want.

Oh, yeah, pmgoosed - thanks for the warning that Amsterdam is difficult to navigate. I have my trusty Streetwise Amsterdam map, which I'm studying to figure out just where everything is. I can see, though, that the unusual layout might be really confusing when looking at it from the ground. I'll be sure to carry my little map with me!!

Cheers to all.

nevermind, I could have sworn the Stout! website is also in English. Maybe the icon is hidden? Anyway, they speak English, as everywhere in Amsterdam, no problem. Stout is a terribly cool, trendy, wonderful place with fantastic people and service. Let us know if you go there, ok?
And, I'm severely directionally-challenged, yet had no problem in Amsterdam. If I can do it without a map, anyone can, believe me.

MaureenB, I've tried using two different browsers to open the Stout! site, but still no luck. It could possibly be because I'm using Macs, but I doubt it. Oh well, from what I've been able to find in the internet, it looks like a cool, trendy, contemporary place. Well worth a look! I'm excited to hear of a place that I'm not reading about in all the guide books!! Thanks again for the tips.

Maureen, I've had the same problem with the Stout website. In Dutch I can't read. I have tried to make a list of restaurants we might enjoy. Also interested in that foamy asparagus soup. I do have the Pancake Bakery on my list as well as Cafe de Jaren. Also found Puccini in a guidebook. The Casa di David was blocked for me also. We will try probably the Sam Simbo ricetable as it is in the area we are staying. My daughter and I leave for Amsterdam 2 weeks from today so this info is very helpful to me also. Hopefully we see the tulips in full bloom and it won't be extremely cold or rainy. Yes, we know it won't be the climate we enjoy here in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Thanks to all of you.

Wrong spelling for Sama Sebo above.

nevermind, my daughter was just in Amsterdam at Christmas and a dear friend just got back, I will see if I can get names of places for you too.

I think the Stout! website is having some problems, actually. I use a Mac, too, but didn't have problems with it before. I just tried it, and it doesn't load entirely. If you put your cursor over the Dutch words, an English word does pop up, which makes me think they have a translation on the site, but it's just not clicking now. Oh, well, I highly recommend you go there and see it. I sure hope they still offer 'foamy asparagus' soup-- but anything there is very creative. We loved Amsterdam, and hope you do, too.

Are there any good bar/ restaurants that serve good food? also what about coffee shops? do they serve good food, without a joint as an Appetizer.

Frenzi, noted above, is a very good bar and restaurant. Sits on a corner with nice outdoor seating in good weather.

bookmarking this fab thread!

gawr0008,

A great cafe/bar with excellent food is the Cafe Luxembourg at the Spui.

Oriental City for dim sum or noodles, sit on the second floor for great people watching, i don't have the address but it is just outside of the Sofitel Grand, and also nearby is Margaritas, tacky name but excellent soups/stews/red chile ribs, South American actually, we never miss either in our twice a year visits to Amsterdam, another great spot to get away from the crowds is Freddy's Bar @ the Hotel l' Europe, either for a drink or Lunch, we also go there and do a am Brunch, expensive but worth it, with the view and all, being on the Amstel canal. The night bartenders are not to be missed.

With all these great suggestions, I wish I was going to be in Amsterdam for a month!! Actually, we'll have a layover in Amsterdam for a few hours in September. Maybe we can sneak out of the airport for quick lunch. Hopefully our visit this spring will help us be comfortable enough with Amsterdam to do such a thing.

Tim_and_Liz, your trip report was really well organized and easy to read. Thanks for offering the thread. One question, if you should come back to this post, how do you get boldface type?

Maureen, I cut and pasted a portion of the Dutch description of Stout! into a free translation page on the Internet. The translation that came back is really crazy (not in a bad way). It just serves to intrigue me more. Those computerized translations, without the tempering of human sensibility, are hysterical.

Scarlett, any suggestions your daughter and/or friend have about Amsterdam will be most welcome. Thanks for offering to check!

Richardsonsnm, you've got me curious about the bartenders at Freddy's Bar.

Maryanne, have a wonderful time on your trip. Less than two weeks away. Did you know you can use Google as your home page and personalize it to include weather in your chosen areas throughout the world? I have Amsterdam as one of my cities. It looks pretty chilly right now, but has been getting progressively warmer as time passes. Hopefully the flowers will be in bloom for you.

Safe travels to all.

Thanks pmgoosed and there are so many resturants in Nieuwe Markt, (New Market), that I may have been in the one you mentioned but can't recall it!

Nevermind, I had a great street map of the city center of Amsterdam that included all the major museums/sites/parks ect..in addition to the TRAM lines. I found this most helpful in getting around as i'm "directionly challenged"

Finding my way via just walking or taking the easy and cheap Tram was very, very simple using this map. If I hadn't used it to the point that it simply fell apart one day, I'd tell you what it was called but alas..it's gone! I'm sure you can find a similar one in any VVV tourist office or at Centraal Station.

Enjoy your trip!

nevermind,
Thanks for posting this question! I too have a long layover in Amsterdam and this has been most helpful to me. I think you're headed off to Africa and so am I.

And thanks to those who have contributed their restaurant (and other) suggestions. Now if I could only figure out whether it's feasible to see the Rembrandt/Caravaggio with jetlag...