Restaurant Session (in Amsterdam, Netherlands): Lion Noir

For dinner, we went to the restaurant Lion Noir.

 

They have a lovely terrace...

 

...with a beautiful garden, so we decided...

 

...to sit outside. But after some time, it got quite windy and cold, so we move...

 

...inside.

 

Cool decoration.

 

As aperitif, a Pornstar Martini cocktail: Bols vodka, vanilla, passion fruit. Very refreshing!

I didn't remember to write down what we ate, but it was...

 

...very delicious!!

Sweet time!

 

We liked it very much - Joaninha Bacana approval stamp :-)

 

Going back to the hotel, a cool reminder that not only Covid is contagious :-D 

Jul 28th, 2022.

Visiting Amsterdam: Anne Frank House

 

From the Begijnhof, we walked to the museum Anne Frank House. Beautiful buildings...

 

...in a blooming city :-)

 

It is like a postcard view...

...everywhere.

 

With blue sky, it gets even prettier :-)

 

Hey! It's us!

 

I had booked tickets to visit Anne Frank House museum, so we had to arrive at a specific time in the afternoon. I read the book when I was 9 years old, and visiting the place makes it always very real.

After our visit, we stayed a bit at the museum coffee shop - it has a beautiful view!

 

Jul 28th, 2022.

Visiting Amsterdam: Begijnhof

The Grote Hof. The Begijnhof is one of the oldest hofjes in Amsterdam. The hofjes were courtyards with...

...almshouses around it, providing housing for elderly people - mostly women.

 

The Wooden House. From 1528, one of the two wooden houses still existing in the center of Amsterdam.

 

The Kleine Hof.

 

Inside the Begijnhof Kapel.

 

Jun 28th, 2022.

Restaurant (Patisserie) Session: Van Stapele

As dessert, we went to Van Stapele cooking maker to try one of their fresh bake cookies. Warm chocolate cookie with a melting white chocolate core. Soooo good!

What is not so good, however, is the long queue waiting to get into the shop. But ok: the wait was worth it :-)

Jul 28th, 2022.

Restaurant Session (in Amsterdam, Netherlands): Broodje Bert

For lunch, we went to Broodje Bert. It was really close to our hotel and I had read some good reviews about it. We asked for sandwiches and...

 ...fries. The portions were really big, but it was not really tasteful. It was ok but nothing more than that: I  would not recommend it.

 

Jul 28th, 2022.

Sleeping in Amsterdam (Netherlands): Hotel Estheréa

As my sister and niece were to take their flight back to Brazil from Amsterdam, we decided to drive one day in advance and spend the day (and night) in the city. Also, Schiphol airport was having huge queues (due to personnel shortage in the safety controls) so we wanted to be very early in the airport - just in case.

After crazy driving around in Amsterdam city center (so many roadblocks! Even worse that in Aachen 😀), we finally arrived to our hotel. 

Deluxe double room with...

 

...channel view.

Next step: leaving our things in the room, and going out to explore the city (and lunch :-)  ).

 

 Jul 28th, 2022.

Restaurant Session (in Sint-Martens-Voeren, Belgium): Hoeve de Bies

Enjoying the beautiful Summer weather, we went for dinner to restaurant Hoeve de Bies, in Sint-Martens-Voeren, from chef Maurice Huvnen.

Such a beautiful...

...terrace! 

Lounge areas for the aperitif and coffee, and tables to enjoy dinner.
 

My sister checking out the view :-) 

 
Starting with an aperitif and appetizers, including...

 

...the variation of the Val Dieu salad.

 

Oysters.

 

As amuse bouche, tomato confit. Very nice!

 

Bread and butter. Love their beurre noisette!

 

We ordered a la carte. Trout with Peruvian mint (I think... Not sure about my notes😊) 

 

Or sweetbread.

 

Or langoustine.

 

As main dish, we all chose the same dish: sashi beef, fries and grilled salad. Love their Béarnaise sauce!

 

With the main dish, a glass of 2015 Chianti Classico Riserva Aluigi from Le Cinciole.

 

Sweet time! With strawberries or...

...figs.

 

With the dessert, a glass of 2015 Honigberg Riesling Auslese from Timo Dienhart.

 

Back to the lounge area for our coffees and...

 

...gourmandises. Cheese cake and...

...pralinés.

Such a beautiful evening!

 

Jul 24th, 2022.