wonton soup

In Shanghai I rediscovered wonton soup. Actually, one could argue that any wonton soup I ate previously could not be considered wonton soup now that I ate the "real thing" in Shanghai. Top of my list are the shrimp and vegetable wonton soup at the Andaz Xintiandi Shanghai and the shrimp wonton soup at the Park Hyatt Shanghai. 

At the Andaz the fresh vegetables in the wonton, combined with the shrimp, is just divine. At the Park Hyatt it is the seaweed and the view from the 89th floor that made it special. Now the search starts for the best recipe so I can make this lovely dish at home. 

The wonton soup at the Park Hyatt Shanghai. Photo from my own collection. November 2016. 

The view from the Park Hyatt Shanghai lobby. Photo from my own collection. November 2016. 

The view from the Andaz. 22nd floor. Photo from my own collection. November 2016.

shanghai

Cuteness in Shanghai. 

Photo from my own collection. November 2016. 

Photo from my own collection. November 2016.

soumaya

The amazing Soumaya museum in Mexico City. What a sight to see.

Image from my own collection. Taken with my iPhone5 with tips from Eef Ouwehand's booklet on photography for smartphones.

Image from my own collection. Taken with my iPhone5 with tips from Eef Ouwehand's booklet on photography for smartphones.

bilder & de clercq

With the luxury of cooking every day there is sometimes the challenge of coming up with creative, delicious and at times easy recipes. In Hamburg and Amsterdam I discovered (ok - I stumbled upon), a new (for me) concept for cooking. Bilder & De Clercq is a perfect example of a new type of food shop. (It is not a supermarket and also not market - more a place where you find ideas and all the ingredients to match).

The concept: you walk in, choose a direction and start exploring. Each section provides a recipe and all the ingredients you need to make it. What I particularly like is that you can buy just one hot pepper (instead of a whole bag), one onion,  and if you are cooking for one, even one piece of sea-bass filet. The exact price of the meal is listed on the recipe card and the wine selection is nearby as well.

An easy way to make any dinner special any night of the week.

Sesame Chicken and Spinach. Via Bilder & De Clerq

Via Pinterest

Shop interior via Pinterest

Via Pinterest

Shop interior. Via Bilder & De Clercq

Spaghetti Vongole. Looks so delicious.  Check it out here.

Stads Cafe Van Mechelen

Last week I had a quick lunch at Stads Cafe Van Mechelen. It is around the corner from where I am staying in Amsterdam. The place seems to be busy every time I walk buy there. And after a very long time I had an absolutely delicious tosti. It is the most basic lunch I believe you can enjoy in Amsterdam. At Van Mechelen the tosti was basically perfect. The bread thick enough to actually be sufficient as a complete meal. The cheese melted - but not too much and enough cooked ham to really pack the sandwich. And then they served the espresso with a glass of water. A true enjoyment. 

Photos from my own collection 

gartine

Last week we enjoyed a delicious, sweet and savory, high tea at the cute Gartine. Located in a small alley between the Kalverstraat and the Rokin, it only fits 24 people at any given time. Make sure to make a reservation about a week before for your tea. The service is friendly, the interior cozy and the food is divine (especially the lemon pie). 

Check out  Gartine online. And make sure it is part of your stay in Amsterdam. 

And the plates are delicate and beautiful. 

amsterdam tour

The last few days in Amsterdam have been delightful. The city is buzzing with visitors for the Amsterdam Dance Event, the Amsterdam Marathon and the usual attractions. The weather has also been spectacular. Yesterday we enjoyed a full afternoon on a roof top terrace (yep - in October), complete with a baby dinosaur cake (there is an explanation for this), an extensive cheese platter and loads of pictures. So we have been touring the city and enjoying the amazing atmosphere. Here are some pictures of a city that blossoms when the sun shines. 

Hidden behind the Kalverstraat is the Amsterdam Museum - a quick stroll during your shopping will ensure some cultural delights. 

This is the Begijnhof. A beautiful and serene inner garden close to the Spui. A lovely place. 

The Begijnhof is at medieval street level, which means a meter below the rest of the old city center.

packing for autumn

Next week I am off to Amsterdam. A lovely break from the ongoing heat here, I look forward to some cooler weather. So today I am packing for autumn. A mild one it seems. I checked the weather forecast and there will be a day of sunshine (and dare I say, 20 degrees Celsius) (just one day - the others will be a bit colder). One can hope that the forecast is correct. Amsterdam is a wonderful city - and when the weather is nice it is even better. 

So the trench coat is at the dry-cleaners, the scarfs have come out and these beautiful BECK earrings are already packed. 

With the Amsterdam Dance Event going on when I arrive and the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven happening the second week I am there, I expect there will be loads of inspiration and exquisite things to share during the trip. 

graanmarkt 13

Graanmarkt 13 is a restaurant, a shop and a gallery all under one roof in the beautiful city of Antwerp. It is a calming space. One that invites you to feel at home - for more about the Graanmarkt 13 visit their website and about page.

“Our plates are filled with only the best of what’s local and fresh. ”

— graanmarkt 13

Image via here.

“Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.”

— graanmarkt 13

“Items that inspire and feel like coming home, carefully selected by Graanmarkt 13 founders Tim and Ilse and art director Bob Verhelst. ”

— graanmarkt 13

“ But plans changed when they saw the plans developing and decided to turn all available space into one luxurious apartment”

— graanmarkt 13

“The Gallery is a space that heightens your senses”

— graanmarkt 13

tim wendelboe

Coffee is one of my favourite things. It is part of my morning routine. I enjoy an afternoon pick-me-up and some times I might have a few too many. This coffee bar in Oslo seems like one of those perfect places to savour a cup.

Below is another beautiful spread by Kinfolk. One of my favourite magazines. Photographs by Sune Frøyseth Eriksen.

““A lot of people have one perception of what coffee should taste like, but coffee is so diverse””

“there are just a handful of midcentury modern chairs and tables for seating, and all coffee roasting is done on a single roaster near the entrance”

— Joanna Han

For the complete article visit the Kinfolk website.

neuhaus

Last week friends of ours returned from a trip to Belgium and brought us a box of Neuhaus chocolates. Each piece of this chocolate is simply divine. Combined with a tiny cup of Lavazza espresso and it is the perfect afternoon combo.

For more Neuhaus information check out their website.

rijksmuseum

Before flying to Curacao this week I had one more day in Amsterdam. And what better way to spend the afternoon than cherishing the beauty, art and renovation at the Rijksmuseum.

After an extensive renovation the museum opened again last year with a blast. I remember when it closed more than 10 years ago for this renovation. I was a student in Amsterdam then. It was such a delight to be back there.

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

This is the new entrance hall of the museum. Vast and light, it will lead you to the entrance of the galleries, the restaurant and the museum shop.

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

At the information desk there is a folder with a walking route especially designed so you can see the architectural delights of this building. It is certainly as impressive as some of the art in it. While you walk through the hall, take a moment to stand still and look up. Chances are you will be impressed.

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

This is one of the main attractions of course. The famous Rembrandt. It is not often you shall see it like this. When I was there people swarmed around it. Taking pictures and selfies. But if you stand in one place long enough, the people seem to disappear and all that is left is the light in the painting.

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

The library is one of the most impressive rooms in the museum. Leaving the main halls filled with chatter and laughter you enter the quite, serene library. A wondrous sight.

“The Rijksmuseum Research Library is a private academic art history library whose purpose is preservation. The library has maintained a constant, high-standard acquisition policy since 1885.”

— Rijksmuseum

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

“From 25 April, British writers and philosophers Alain de Botton & John Armstrong will be showing in the Rijksmuseum what art can mean to visitors. And not so much from an (art-)historical point of view, but focusing rather on the therapeutic effect that art can have and the big questions in life that art can answer. In the exhibition Art is Therapy, De Botton (1969) and Armstrong (1966) will be commenting on 150 artworks on display in the Rijksmuseum galleries, from the Middle Ages right through to the 20th century, including the Asian Pavilion, but also on objects in the shop, café, cloakroom and entrance. They have also selected approx. 40 prints from the Rijksmuseum Print Room. The text boards have been designed by Irma Boom and added to the museum’s original ones. De Botton and Armstrong believe that these new captions shed an entirely new light on the Rijksmuseum collection. This exhibition will be the first time that the philosophers put their theories from their latest book Art as Therapy into practice. ”

— Rijksmuseum

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

The Asian Pavilion - usually a bit more quiet than the other rooms, is a splendid space. I especially loved all the statues.

“The Asian Pavilion was designed by the architects Cruz and Ortiz. Constructed from Portuguese sandstone and glass, the building is surrounded by water and characterized by a wealth of diagonal planes and unusual perspectives. Inside, it houses a rich collection of Asian art brought together from China, Japan, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Thailand and dating from the period between 2000 BC and 2000 AC.”

— Rijksmuseum

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

This being The Netherlands and its crown jewel of a museum there is an abundance of art depicting tulips of all kinds, in all mediums and from various centuries. You can imagine my happiness. The museum shop sells reproductions of some of the works -  yep, you guessed it. I bought the one above. This is "Still life with flowers" by Hans Bollongier painted in 1639. And soon its reproduction will hang in my house.

“In the 17th century, the tulip, one of the Netherland’s national symbols, was subject to a veritable mania that led directly to it being traded on the stock market.”

— Rijksmuseum

All photos via the pinterest page of the museum

Stepping out of the museum you are greeted by the bikers making their way through the arches. An everlasting symbol of the Rijksmuseum.

happy friday

After many days of sunshine and warm weather today it is cloudy and rainy. But according to the weather app (who is not always right I may add) the sun will come out later today. We are then probably heading the to the fish market area. So fingers crossed that the sky will turn light blue :) Otherwise it will be a coat and umbrella (which I suppose is fine as well).  

"This heart of mine was made to travel" -anon- 

Have a splendid weekend. xx

Image via the always lovely Dustjacket Attic.

A bit of fun summer styling. 

hamburg I

And so Friday morning I was off to Hamburg. A city I have had the honour to visit a few times before. It is of course great that I have friends living there. But it is also just  a wonderful city to stroll around, explore the markets and enjoy the sounds of the harbour. 

The Wallpaper guide is a good way to gather some info on the where to go. 

I took the KLM City Hopper, took just an hour, and in that house they spoil you with not-so-salty peanuts and of course the Holland Harold for some reading. 

This morning we headed to the Bio Market around the corner. Bright colours, scents of fruits and flowers and actually a very calm atmosphere on this sunny Saturday morning. 

Beautiful isn't it. Seeing this I really just wanted to start cooking and try all the vegetables I have never even seen. 

We then headed to a design butcher. The interior is stylish, clean and trendy. The staff is incredibly friendly and the scent of rosemary lingers around. 

amsterdam III

There are two other places in Amsterdam I'd like to share here. One is SLA and the other is the Oyster Club. Two places that at opposite sides of the F&B spectrum - but both quite interesting places to visit when you are in Amsterdam.  

The first thing I noticed when I entered was the Tea Bar. A concept where you choose your own tea, grab all the accessories you need to make the tea and then head to your table. Fantastic. 

I choose some fallafel, olives, black quinnoa and avocado with a mustard and olive oil dressing. 

Drinking water is free. The pitchers include cucumber or mint to give an extra layer of flavour to the water. 

And voila....our empty plates :) 

At Sla they also sell cook books, organic wines and chocolate and other interesting stuff. 

And the sweet scent of lavender is all around. Divine. 

The photo above is from the roof at the Oyster Club. The interior design is simple, but with particular details that make all difference. 

If there are two things I can recommend when you go there it is 1. have some oysters (seems obvious right) and 2. try some of the sushi. The spicy tuna roll is the perfect amount of tuna with a hint of a crunch and just enough rice to hold it all together. Pictured above is the soft shell crab roll with fresh avocado and wasabi mayo. Oh and the Oyster Club serves fresh wasabi - one of just five place in the Netherlands to do so. 

So that is it for Amsterdam this time. My next stop is the chic and green city of Hamburg. Where the habour is the main attraction, tree filled parks on everywhere and where this weekend the weather will be amazing. 

amsterdam II

The Belhamel is a cozy and exquisite restaurant on the Brouwersgracht in Amsterdam. Set on the corner, with three bridges directly in view, it provides a perfect view of what you would expect from Amsterdam. The tourist boats continuously passing, bikers making their way along the tree lined canals and the delivery of fresh produce while you are having lunch make for a wonderful experience. 

Photo taken with my iphone. 

Photo taken with my iphone. 

We started out with some jasmine green tea outside, enjoying the minor breeze and sporadic drizzle before it really started raining. If the weather is less than perfect, and any of the three tables on the first row inside are available reserve one of those. You will then still have a view of the canals while remaining dry in this remarkably pretty place. 

Photo taken with my iphone. 

Photo taken with my iphone. 

Photo taken with my iphone. 

“The restaurant and the secluded bar exude a romantic early twentieth-century Parisian ambiance, featuring many authentic art nouveau details.”

— De Belhamel

Photo taken with my iphone. 

The secluded bar located right behind the kitchen. 

Photo taken with my iphone. 

Details in the secluded bar.

Photo taken with my iphone. 

The food was presented in a beautiful manner. Nothing too cutting edge or flamboyant, but still with a great deal of details to make it special. 

hmm and yes we had dessert - I guess the eating healthy lifestyle has it's limits. Though in all honesty, there was fruit on top..... so technically........ohh who am I kidding. (it was divine) :)

For reservations call them +31 (0)206221095. They are located on Brouwersgracht 60. 

amsterdam I

Yesterday my friend Odessa and I enjoyed the cool atmosphere at Bluespoon in the Andaz hotel. The interior of the lobby and restaurant are divine. Designed by Marcel Wanders, the hotel features a constellation style lamp decor, eccentric statues and a spectacular garden. 

Image via Marcel Wanders

We started the evening with a glass of prosecco and some bar food at Bluespoon Bar. A great combination and the service  was wonderful. We then moved to Bluespoon Restaurant, a table with a perfect view of the garden and the open kitchen. 

Image via Marcel Wanders

We shared the king crab and avocado salad. Seriously delicious. For the main course we had the monkfish and the sea bass. Great options. The sea bass was definitely the better choice though. The fact that the kitchen is completely open adds to the experience and the music is low enough to allow for loads of chatting (which of course we are experts at) yet it did provide a relaxed atmosphere. 

The Andaz is located on the Prinsengracht 587. Call them at +31 20 523 1250 for reservations.  

Picture taken with my iphone. 

Amsterdam, The Jordaan. 

Taken with my iphone. 

In Amsterdam, The Jordaan

Today I went to one of my favourite bookshops, the Atheneum. A place with so many magazines and travels books I could spend hours there. I bought some great editions, the gentlewomen, Anthology, works that work and the Wallpaper guide to Hamburg. 

From English, French, Japanese and Australian magazines Atheneum really carries them all. Visit the shop on the Spui or get any of the latest editions on their website. 

Strolling along the canals on a cloudy day.

Taken with my iphone

leaving on a jet plane

The coming two weeks I will be posting from the wonderful cities of Amsterdam and Hamburg. Am looking forward to sharing all the beautiful, inspiring and fun places these two cities offer. 

Have an awesome week. 

Thank you for visiting. xx

sla

Next month I will be heading across the Atlantic to Amsterdam once again for a few days (before heading on to Hamburg). And this time I am looking forward to a lunch at Sla. They opened a new location in my favourite neighbourhood on the Westerstraat. Am looking forward to trying the Korean Style Prawn salad and some of their delicious juices. I would love to see a place like this open in Curacao - maybe one day. For now I am just looking forward to this experience in Amsterdam.

Image via here

Image via here

“We’re into food.
What’s in it, how it grows.
In moderation, or abundance.
On a plate, or in bare hands.”

— SLA

Image via here

“With fresh juice, local beer, fair espresso or a grassy tea.
Whether steaming hot, or freezing cold.
Just what feels right.
We prefer fresh, organic and packed with flavor.

We’re into food that moves us.
Makes us smile, share and speak.
We’re into food as into life.
Maximizing its potential.”

— SLA

Image via here

dreaming of paris

“Whoever does not visit Paris regularly will never really be elegant. ”

— Honoré de Balzac

Image via here.

Oh how wonderful is Paris. Always a dream when you are there, and always dreaming about it when you are not.

Enjoy this super fun movie by Garance Dore. Love her!