About a block away from the hotel was one of the best finds I have ever had...and some of the best food.
Those of you who know me, know that I am on the Advisory Board for Saveur Magazine in NYC.
If you have never read this magazine or gone on line to visit its pages, I reccomend that you do so. Saveur is one of the premier magazines about world food. For those of you who travel or even if you don't, Savuer is the best at bringing to its readers the specialites of the world.
When I get home....I am going to suggest that they feature the foods of this wonderful little country and restaurant so close to the Pulitzer Hotel on Prinsengracht in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Owned by two hospitible women, Carla and Ester, Bij ons server some of the best home cooked Dutch food in the world. The ambiance is totally "neighborhood" and everyone there knows everyone. They sing, they interact and they all share a wonderful atmosphere that I am sure is hard to find anywhere.
Aside from the Spanish wines that are house wines and which are wonderful, the food is really special. My meal consisted of the best mussles that I have ever eaten in my life. They are shelled and pan fried with butter and sliced spanish onions. Then add a touch of curry powder and spray with a little white wine for a finish and you have a dish that is homey and spectauclar. Served with a small green salad and a good sized portion of home fries (served with a mayo mustard sauce) it is one of the best meals that I have had in months.
I am not sure, but I think the freshness and locally grown flavor of the products served in European restaurants, cannot be compared to what you get in the US. Would that US restaurantds could do so well in the fresh category let alone using locally grown products.
My spouse, Larry (who is traveling with me)had a equally wonderful meal. I know it sounds strange, but he enjoyed beef flank, cooked in wine for 5 hours and then served with mashed potatoes laced with sauerkraut and topped with bacon crisps, and topped with beef gravy.
Carla, one of the owners, told me that the secret is to mash the potatoes with the juice of the sauerkraut. Yum!
If this is what home cooked food is all about...why eat gourmet?
Given that the food was so great and the ambieance all about the locals, you can't help but get caught up with the friendly spirit of Amsterdam. Raise a glass and toast to this local and very special restaurant.
I most certainly will reccomend Bij ons to eveyrone who comes to this fun city!
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