Volume 13. The Spring Forward Edition

Welcome back Dear Readers! So nice to be with you again, propelling you out there into the world. I imagine that many of you  have tired of the grey and the cold. Perhaps you're over the grim and dreadful forecasts. Are you ready for the warmer weather that has already arrived? Well most of you, unlike me, are ready for Spring, and for you I have a suggestion as to how you might ring it in, as the clocks roll ahead an hour overnite. Why not head off to Fun City, and its environs? Amsterdam has Brown Bars, Red Lights, The Milky Way etc... and to usher in the Spring, to refresh you, what could be more appropriate than a visit to Keukenhof Gardens.

"Situated less than 30 miles from Amsterdam in the province of Zuid-Holland (South-Holland), the town of Lisse is widely regarded as the center of Holland's bollenstreek (bulb district). Each spring, the area's sandy coastal plain becomes a sprawling blanket of fantastic color as millions of Dutch tulip, hyacinth and daffodil bulbs emerge in perfect rows. Enjoy pictures of this unforgettable sight, which is certainly worth a day trip from Amsterdam."

Imagine the beauty, the color, the smell of it all awakening your sleeping senses.

This is the place to be this week. And that it is near Amsterdam doesn't hurt.

Also outside Amsterdam and very worthy of your attention is the Cobra Museum.

Come view the paintings of Asger Jorn, Karl Appel, Pierre Alechinsky and other Cobra members at this beautiful, modern museum.

You will find the Art here to be quite refreshing after visiting the Van Gogh and Rijksmuseums. Getting there is an easy 45 minute train ride from Amsterdam.

Back in the city you can ride the canals and enjoy the parks. Bicycle around and take in all this wonderful place has to offer. Working up an appetite you just may want to head into Joop Braakhekke's happening restaurant Le Garage. This is a place to see and be seen. The food is quite good as well. I had a lovely meal there.

Starters

Tartare of dorade of smoked wagyu beef with tartare of gilt head bream on butternut , wink to Japan.€ 17,50
Uitsmijter foie gras, simply the best, with a ansjovis sandwich€ 23,50
Salmon tartare, with popcorn and farm yoghurt, old turns into new again€ 15,50
Lobster terrine,inspired by Pourcel's but with a novel twist.€ 22.50
Snails from Burgundy, classical tradition. 6 or 12 €11,50 or € 19,50
Coquilles Saint Jacques,like a draughtbord, with boudin, an evergreen kind of recipe.€22,50

Main courses

Nord sea plaice,with tender squid from the North Sea. € 26,50
IJsselmeer Eel, with apple treacle glaze, sauerkraut from Avenhorn, it may sometimes better to search close home.€ 27.50
Monkfish,with foam of Dutch shrimps, a colonial inspiration resurfacing. € 28,50
Catch of the day, exciting......? Order a catch from chef's hand!.€29.50
Steak tartare, prepared according to your taste!€ 26,50
Simmentaler lende,(250 gram) Bearnaise sauce, tender beef from the grill, for the real man or those feel like one. € 39,50
Wild duck, a classical dish in a modern setting, with black olives € 22.50
Kamper lamb's neck, very little known is the fact that the neck is the finest part.€ 21,50
Saddle of Venison, with cabbage and Zaandam mustard gravy, from the royal hunting grounds, noble anough ? € 39,00

Desserts

French cheeses, selected by Hilterman and Valk, importers and experts in authenic cheeses.€ 15
Tarte Tatin, with creme fraiche, the grandeur of simplicity€ 12,50
All the way orange, mousse, icecream and yelly, at it's best in autumn € 12,50
Chocolate Pizza, with crisp bottom, chocolate and red fruit , its our fusion € 12,50
Ile flottante, and the rising air as perfect culinary intelligence.€ 11,50

I also had a great rijsttafel at Sama Sebo the city's best Indonesian restaurant. Sambals, Satay, Gado-Gado, oh my!

And what lovely meal would be complete without a very good cigar?!?!?!!?! None, I say! So when in Amsterdam I always stop into Hajenius to pick up some Cubans. This Art Deco cigar shop has been there a long time. The people and the product, great.

For Classical Music, the Concertgebouw with its superior acoustics and great performers, is not to be missed. Murray Perahia performs Saturday night. Christopher Poppen leads a Part concert Monday night.

For Jazz head to Bimhuis Thursday night to hear Fay Victor and her Ellington and Monk based Free Song Suite.

A good time will be had by all in and around Amsterdam!