Pastis Amsterdam

Crime: Vegetarian bean burger with season vegetables and awesome home made fries

Scene: Pastis Amsterdam, Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat 15, Amsterdam Oud West

Investigation: I finally had the time to check a new bistro down the street out called Pastis. A place with an awesome bar which serves classic French dishes made from organic ingredients. Pastis, from the owner of Wolvenschuur 23 a.k.a. de Wolvenschuur, is inspired by the well known Pastis Restaurant in New York. The bar, the liquor cabinet, all the tiles the owner applied herself and the service by Jenne and Rogier will make me come back again to sniff the vibe they managed to create. And they opened just recently.

The terrace is ideal for summer nights. Unfortunately the Amsterdam town council planned to renovate the Eerste Constantijn Huygensstraat. So, the restaurants view will be no other than a ruin of containers and sand. But I still recommend this place for some drinks. I haven’t check out the whole menu yet, so no clear verdict on that. If you planned to have dinner between Thursday and Sunday evening, make a reservation to make sure you’ll have a table

Rapa Nui

Crime: BBQ chicken sate, salad, corona and Toblerone chocolate mousse

Scene: Rapa Nui Strandtent, Boulevard Barnaart 27, Zandvoort

Investigation: I’m not a fan of beach clubs. Love beaches, but can’t stand sand in my seat and food hahah Anyhow, Rapa Nui is the closest place I can go to by car where I can enjoy beautiful sunsets. The food is ok, the service could be tighter, the music is not really my style (if you don’t sit near the speakers you won’t hear the tunes haha), but the terrace is somehow ideal for beers and wine with the right crowd.

Place to enjoy the sun: Yes! Lovely view of the North Sea and the beach? Yes! The best food? Nah. It’s ‘aight’. Their kitchen serves typical “brown cafe food” like the Dutch version of the chicken sate with peanut sauce, steak frit, salad, freestyle pasta and the famous Dutch ‘borrel happen’. I’ll return soon to upgrade my tan if the weather lets me. Next stop: Timboektoe at Wijk aan Zee with their nice menu :)

De Ysbreeker

Crime: Caesar salad, fresh orange juice.

Scene: De Ysbreeker, Weesperzijde 23, Amsterdam, open everyday

Investigation: Apparently this place got an upgrade. The last time I was at Ysbreeker it was just a good spot with a lovely terrace with horrible chairs. I’ve never got back, until yesterday. My friend Anne proposed to have lunch there, since the sun was shining after a few days of rain.

The Ysbreeker upgraded their furniture, their sign with the request to take it down at night (it used to be written haha), their logo and their awesome website (basic, clear and iPad compatible). I’m have a weakness for font and layout and was totally impressed by the menu haha.  So, to sum up I declare this as one of the better spots with descent food and a big terrace.

I can’t judge the kitchen on the Caesar salad I had, but De Ysbreeker a fantastic place to have some wine during the day and evening if the sun shows itself. #mustvisit