Cucina Frenzi - Amsterdam

Cucina Frenzi
Overtoom 459
1054 LE  Amsterdam
Tel : +31 20 4123866
http://www.frenzi-cucina.nl/en/

Haven't been here for quiet some time so time to see if it's still as good as I remember. The staff wasn't as attending as the last time I was there. Seem to be preoccupied with other stuff. Had to ask several times for our dishes and they were forgotten about it. Lot of dishes weren't finished as well and it was around 18.30 so not too early for a bite to eat.

The dishes on itself were good again.

Patatas Aiolo, Mini quiche Pumpkin, Jamon Iberico (could be a better one especially with Ibericus in town), Tortilla, Filled Zucchini, bread & olive oil. The lemon cheesecake was not so good, certainly not compared to what it was, had a certain grain in it. The Pumpkin cake was more than perfect.

So it was oke, but they can do better...

Suitsupply - Amsterdam

This shop has changed dramatically over the years. Haven't been there since a very long time, what a store. I'll be there more often .... :-)

I 'Suited' up :-)

Lute - Ouderkerk a/d Amstel

 Lute
Oude Molen 5
Ouderkerk a.d. Amstel
1184 VW Amstelveen (Ouderkerk a.d. Amstel)
http://lute.nu/

 An ambiance that suits Ouderkerk a.d. Amstel, suits the style of cooking, certainly the quality of food and service. It's in the detail ....

Made this day special for the birthday girl. Haven't been here in a while but still love it. The menu is a real treat and a good choice for a perfect price. Ask them something special, they will do it. Check out his cooking books as well. Special, very good price, buy both and get a discount as well.

Amuses 2 - from right to left

Tapioca from octopus

Lolly made from Parmesan cheese

Chips made from 5 spices

Chips a la Lute

Panacotta lime

Beetroot with Picalilly

Cherry Tomato

 

Starter

Sashimi Tuna

Tartar of Tuna (perfect)

Cucummer - marinated

Carrot wasabi

 

Truffle risotto with Parmesan and Olive Oil and quail egg

Beef, stewed veal, portobello, beetroot, laurier .....

Messenklever- Dutch Local Cheese                           Pannacotta

(sticky cheese :-))                                                       Dulce Lettche

Apricot and Fig                                                          Red Fruit

Sourdough bread                                                        Brownie

They pay a lot of attention to the plates and of course the taste as well. Marinated Tuna ... look so simple but the taste is divine, as well as for the the stewed veal. So delicate so full of taste it makes you smile. And what about the carrot wasabi ... the combination ... perfect. Risotto, truffle, Parmesan, olive oil and quail egg ... classic combination divine taste.

It's definitely a place to advise to go to. With a group arrange the boat, did that once, great success. I first found out about The Roner (for not foodies look it up ;-) ) in this place. A main course with veal, never tasted anything this delicate. So I do have a @ home version that does practically the same.

In short, from begin till end it all makes sense. I don't understand Nespresso though. Yes it's good coffee but it can be better easily. Especially here. Just try it. You will not be disappointed.

Le Petit Gateau

Le Petit Gateau
Haarlemmerstraat 80
1013 EV  Amsterdam
http://www.petitgateau.nl/










Again an improvement in De Haarlemmerstraat. Since beginning of September we do have this shop that provides the original French pastry we know from the bakers all over the country. A display over well over 30 different kinds of pastry. Also some related products, place to sit down, and to follow work shops. And staff almost all french :-) so it's bonjour et au revoir ...

Taste is divine, have a long way to taste them all, I'll show you some I tried already.

                               

:-)

Vlaamsch Broodhuys

Vlaamsch Broodhuys
Haarlemmerstraat 108
Amsterdam
http://www.vlaamschbroodhuys.nl/index.php/page/ontbijt/menu

Totally different and also the same as Le Pain Quotidien. Like there bread a bit better, croissants are no match - Le Pain Quotidien wins by far. In terms of sweet on your bread ... they could have the same supplier. Try the Pave Cristophe to take home .... butter that's it. Maybe with there egg truffle salad or some nice meat from Ibericus across the street ... Life can is beautiful.

But like Coolblue (I know different type of company) they have some nice gimmicks when you eat at there store. I don't show you the pictures look for it yourself when you're there. Actually you can see one on the top photo. Look at all the things that come across your hands :-)

Le Pain Quotidien

Le Pain Quotidien
Johannes Verhulststraat 104
1071 NL  Amsterdam
http://www.lepainquotidien.nl/#/nl_NL/over/communal_table

Amsterdam, 15 september 2013

There is not very much to tell about a good breakfast, that they can provide one in this beautiful atmosphere is obvious, love to come here. Staff is friendly, croissants to die for, don't like sweets on bread too much ... and than you taste there hazel nut chocolate paste ... or the white chocolate paste, their jams are out of this world as well. Presentation good, price good, quality excellent.

Not only for Breakfast though ....

La Récréation

La Récreation
46250 Les Arques
Lot
France
+31 33 5 56 22 88 08

 Les Arques, home of the Zadkine museum, near my parents old 'living grounds'. Nice environment, lot of forest, nice roads to take the TVR for a spin. And since it's France of course a very nice place to eat.

Unfortunately to late for lunch so we had to do with was available from the chef already preparing diner. But hey ... it's France so why worry. Like Nike says, just do it.

And a alcohol free cocktail ... wouw, not only in the picture it looks nice it really was in real life as well .... This restaurant had a nice terrace and of course a lot of art on the wall, on the sockets - basically everywhere.
























 A gazpacho ... fresh, cool and perfect for this sunny wheater

Followed by cod in fillo pastry with a filled Zucchini flower and a perfect accompanying sauce

To end with again an old time favorite ... The Macaron, pistachio, pistachio filling and raspberries


€ 25 for a three course lunch .... it can be done :-)

 

 Le Café Gauvadun
Gauvadun
Lot et Garonne
France

In the middle of nowhere a huge castle and than there is always a café, bistrot or something else where you can eat.

And ... all made in house, even the foie. Nice plate with Chorizo, Pata Negra, Duck breast, Rilette and Foie a la Maison combined with a salad and a nice dressing. Fresh bread ...

Also for € 15 ....

The french are better in their food than we do, n'est pas ?

Choc O Lot

Choc O Lot
47500 Montrayral
France

Care for a cake ... ?

If presentation is everything I let you decide if it was good, nice and memorable enough to come back next time ... :-)

Le 72

Le 72
72, avenue de l'usine
47500 Fumel
France

It's possible, starter, main course, desert, 0,25 wine and water for .... yes € 13,50. Don't expect the start quality and amuses, in 'betweens' and foie poêlé but ...

a quiche

Moules a Roquefort (they were amazing, perfect combination)

and a flan ....

Good, enough and taste full lunch ....

Marco Le Restaurant - Lamagdeleine (Cahors - France)

Marco Le Restaurant
Lamagdeleine
Cahors
France
tel : +33 5 65 35 30 64
http://www.restaurantmarco.com/restau_en.htm
 

Started with the house cocktail. A version of the Kirr but refreshing, perfect for a sunny day like this. Served with the amuse bouche (a potato mesh with truffle and octopus), you could start the menu worse ....

Took the Menu Gourmand - we're in France after all - :-)

Foie gras de canard poêlé, poire et ananas aux dix épices
do we really need a translation between us food lovers ... 

First the seize of the portion, two beautiful pieces of foie - Dutch chefs this is a piece of foie, I know we're in Duck town but even than ... baked to perfection, tender full flavor ... still remains a favorite of mine by far. Beautiful accentuated by the pear and pine apple. The ten spices nice not on foreground, perfect way to enrich the dish. 

Cabillaud sur une galette de pommes darphin, sauce à l'ail doux et persil fumé
Cod on Pommes Darphin (potato baked in duck fat with a cheese) with two sauces made of garlic and smoked parsil.

 Again high on taste, cooked to perfection and what a piece of Fish ....

Granité thym et citron
Presentation and taste perfectly in balance

Demi pigeonneau rôti, pommes de terre nouvelles, jus de corsé a la coriandre
Half a pigeon (from the region of course) as well perfectly cooked. New potato,  and sweet potato in a very nice Coriander 'gravy'.

Perfect always a treat when meat is cooked like this, perfect combination with sweet potato and the coriander sauce.


Infusion de fraise 'Gariguette' son croustillant sablé et sa glace de yaourt au poivre
Strawberries to finish, fresh combined with a soup of strawberry, ice cream made of yogurt with black pepper and a 'cookie' in between.

Nice way to end a perfect lunch 

Ended with coffee (actually good coffee, better than expected in France) with it's friandises ... :-)


If in the neighborhood really visit this place, not expansive (not the normal around 15 € for a 3 course lunch of course) but for the food, the portions and the quality ... I would say till next time. Just around the corner of Cahors.