Netherlands' Restaurant Report
May 8th, 2006, 05:07 AM
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Netherlands' Restaurant Report
We ate in five restaurants in the Netherlands:
The best dining was in "Zaanse Scans", the windmill village, fifteen minutes by train from Amsterdam. This restaurant had a Michelin star and we could not imagine how it lost it. Exceptional, fine dining.
In Amsterdam we dined three times at "Bark". It is located in the Museumplein, ten minutes by tram from the city center. It is a seafood restaurant with quality food, reasonable prices and great service. It is open for lunch and dinner, It is near the concert hall "Concertbegouw" so gets very busy around 7 p.m. when a concert is scheduled. A few blocks from "Bark" is a Brasserie that is also very good.
The worst dining experience was at "Haesje Claes" in the city center. It was highly touted by another Fodorite. Our waitress was the only sullen local we met during our entire seven day visit. We ordered a half bottle of Sancerre, she brought a full bottle without explanation. When asked she said we are out of half bottles. She then must have entered the Witness Protection Program. It seems busloads of tourists had arrived and she was deployed there.
Our food arrived late and lukewarm, delivered by another waitress. I had to hunt up the sullen one to pay the bill. Later our hotel advised us to stay out of the city center as many restaurants cater to tours and ignore individual diners.
We ate in the "Pancake House" near the Ann Frank House. Good lunch spot especially with children.
The best dining was in "Zaanse Scans", the windmill village, fifteen minutes by train from Amsterdam. This restaurant had a Michelin star and we could not imagine how it lost it. Exceptional, fine dining.
In Amsterdam we dined three times at "Bark". It is located in the Museumplein, ten minutes by tram from the city center. It is a seafood restaurant with quality food, reasonable prices and great service. It is open for lunch and dinner, It is near the concert hall "Concertbegouw" so gets very busy around 7 p.m. when a concert is scheduled. A few blocks from "Bark" is a Brasserie that is also very good.
The worst dining experience was at "Haesje Claes" in the city center. It was highly touted by another Fodorite. Our waitress was the only sullen local we met during our entire seven day visit. We ordered a half bottle of Sancerre, she brought a full bottle without explanation. When asked she said we are out of half bottles. She then must have entered the Witness Protection Program. It seems busloads of tourists had arrived and she was deployed there.
Our food arrived late and lukewarm, delivered by another waitress. I had to hunt up the sullen one to pay the bill. Later our hotel advised us to stay out of the city center as many restaurants cater to tours and ignore individual diners.
We ate in the "Pancake House" near the Ann Frank House. Good lunch spot especially with children.
May 8th, 2006, 11:05 AM
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She arrived at our table sullen. A good waiter/waitress tries to make you feel welcome. She did not.
I have waited tables as a young man. My wife and I are friendly and generous, We deseved better than this restaurant provided. It is one man's opinion,of course, but I stand by it.
Anthony
She arrived at our table sullen. A good waiter/waitress tries to make you feel welcome. She did not.
I have waited tables as a young man. My wife and I are friendly and generous, We deseved better than this restaurant provided. It is one man's opinion,of course, but I stand by it.
Anthony
May 10th, 2006, 08:44 AM
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I usually spend a few months before we go researching Fodor's. I ask for personal experience recommendations, not websites. I outline what are our preferences are, i.e.,price, location -near musueums, Metroetc.
When 4 or 5 people recommend a hotel I contact it. If the hotel's reply is prompt and price and location are right I book.
You could also look in at Trip Advisors but I hqave found Fodor's information very adequate.
Note two hotels we stayed at many, many times were those recommended first-hand by personal friends:
In Paris the "Caron de Beaumarchais" and in St.Remy, Provence "L'Amandiere". Alas, the latter was recently sold so I can no longer recommend it.
When 4 or 5 people recommend a hotel I contact it. If the hotel's reply is prompt and price and location are right I book.
You could also look in at Trip Advisors but I hqave found Fodor's information very adequate.
Note two hotels we stayed at many, many times were those recommended first-hand by personal friends:
In Paris the "Caron de Beaumarchais" and in St.Remy, Provence "L'Amandiere". Alas, the latter was recently sold so I can no longer recommend it.
May 10th, 2006, 02:05 PM
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LOL- I just re-read what I wrote! I guess I meant, what did you think about Hotel Fita? We have a room reserved for 3 nights in June. I'm traveling with my mom and they said they have no double rooms with seperate beds. Looks like we'll be nice a cozy our first couple of days. How was the bed size? An American double? Queen (I hope!)I'm also excited to hear they have a wonderful breakfast!
I know how you found it!! Sorry, my mistake
I know how you found it!! Sorry, my mistake
May 10th, 2006, 02:20 PM
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For many reviews, diner comments and suggestions for restaurants in the Netherlands, the SpecialBite website is excellent.
http://www.specialbite.com/?ic=1&iLang=2
http://www.specialbite.com/?ic=1&iLang=2
