Food and Wine on Amsterdam, oh and Museums

Food and wine day in Amsterdam… would you believe more museums?

Mermaid Bubbles Amsterdam

The weather began with bright sunshine, but a coastal cloud soon overcame the fine day and we walked in the light rain all day long. The wet cobblestones do not bother the bikers though as they zip along as if they could brake if need be.

We meet Eileen at a corner restaurant that has only been in business 400 years. Eileen is not Irish, but Indonesian. About 20 percent of Amsterdamers are Indonesian.  This spunky little lady takes us on a walking and canal cruising, food and wine tour through the old Catholic neighborhood.  As we eat, drink and walk, she points out items of interest along the way, such a farting mermaid on a lamp post.

 After walking and munching our way through all the neighborhood food groups (apple pie, sausages, fish, pastries, Indonesian sandwiches, fried plantains, tiny pancakes along with beer and wine) Eileen brings us to a restored wooden canal cruiser that is impeccably varnished. She explains the vessel is over 100 years old and valued at $2 million Euros. The running gear has been converted to electric power and it is smooth and quiet as we tour the city from the water. 

Along the trip route, food deliveries are handed to the Captain through his cockpit window and we enjoy sparkling wine and beer along with cheeses, pickles, olives and deep fried gravy. Yep, deep fried veal gravy in a dark colored crust. Delicious!  Maybe the State Fair of Texas got their deep fried fetish from Amsterdam.  (Snicker bars, ice cream, Jell-O, etc.)

Eileen left us in a near food stupor in a bar next door to two museums. Amsterdam has a city ordinance that requires tourists to visit any museum that is visible from the street so we made quick work of the Tulip Museum and the Cheese Museum. A bonus was the large wooden shoes on the sidewalk nearby. 

Now to the Dutch item: Earlier I wondered why in a country formerly known as Holland, now named the Netherlands; they call the people “Dutch”. They are named for their language. Duutsch was an old form of German that was spoken by these folks. It is a version halfway between German and English, hence the similar words.  The word Duutsch means “of the people” also “community” so it is not a pejorative like some terms of social labels (i.e. “Yank”, “Cannuck”, “Redneck”). Rather it is more akin to “Brit”. Glad to clear that up. I know you have been stewing on it for days.

We finished or day at Bleuw, an Indonesian restaurant. We thought we would not be able to eat after the food and wine/beer tour, but we did. The servings were dished out in many small bowls and each was spicy delicacy from seafood, beef, pork, goat, lamb, chicken and fresh and pickled vegetables.  Or first time in a true Indonesian place. Excellent.

Tomorrow on to Vienna.