Mr. Foodie

Simply THE Best Chips in the World – Amsterdam

Posted on May 12, 2011 by mrfoodie

When I’m passing through Amsterdam, which is one of my favourite cities in the world, I always go to eat what I think are the best chips anywhere without a doubt. I’ve sent many people to this stall and all of them have come back saying the same thing. You can find french fries all over Amsterdam, known as Vlaamse Frites (or Belgian / Flemish Fries) eaten traditionally with lots of mayonaise. This particular place is off the beaten track and is really popular with the locals… and is considered as one of the only two places to go if you want to eat chips.

Vlaamse Frites - Voetboogstraat, Amsterdam

I found this place just by chance one time as I was taking a short cut through an alley to the nearest tram stop. I felt my tummy rumbling and I could smell the scent of freshly fried chips. I then saw some locals wandering past with some in hand, and about 100 yds up was this place. I stopped and ordered a ‘klein mit curry ketchup en mayo’ or a small portion with curry ketchup and mayonnaise.

The french fries are served hot and fresh, almost immediately after coming out of the oil and being salted. If they’re not ready, you wait. They have lots of different sauces to choose from – my favourite is curry ketchup and mayo topped off with onions.

Vlaamse Frites - Belgian Fries with Curry Ketchup & Onions

The locals seem to have it with mayo or even satay sauce – both are good. The chips are always golden and crispy and leave you wanting more!

“Tell me where this place is???” – I hear you ask… well its

Vleminckx Sausmeesters
Voetboogstraat 31, Amsterdam

This is the place preferred by locals. Be warned it can be difficult to find, but hopefully the above map should help. Its just off the Spui square, on the alley next to the Japanese restaurant. Its open from 11am – 6pm every day except on Sundays when they open 12 – 6pm and there is always a queue, because its that damn good. There is no seating, other than on the steps of people’s homes opposite. Its just a ‘hole in the wall’ type place but one well worth visiting.

Posted in amsterdam | 1 Comment

Porcini & Thyme Risotto

Posted on May 11, 2011 by mrfoodie

Porcini & Thyme Risotto

I love making risottos… and when I’m in the mood for something deep, rich and earthy I make this risotto.

This dish serves 4

What you need:

5 eschallots – finely chopped
3 cloves of garlic – finely chopped
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup of olive oil
240g of carnolli rice
250ml bottle of pinot grigio
500ml of chicken or vegetable stock
a good generous handful of dried porcini mushrooms
500 ml water
1 tablespoon smoked salt (or to taste)
3 – 4 stems of thyme leaving a little to garnish at the end
Grated Parmesan Cheese – 4 tablespoons (or more if you want)

What to do:

Soak the porcini mushrooms – ideally all day but for at least an hour in 500 ml (2 cups) warm water.
Remove the porcini mushrooms from the water and squeeze the water out into the soaking liquid.
Strain the soaking liquid to remove any grit. Mix with the chicken stock.
Finely chop up the mushrooms.
Keep warm on a low flame on the stove.
Fry the onions, garlic and pepper on a medium-low heat for several minutes until soft and translucent.
Add the rice and fry in the oil / onion mix until slightly clear (about 3 – 4 mins)
Add the wine and let it reduce.
Add the chopped porcini.
Add the thyme
Add the warm stock a ladle at a time until absorbed.
Stir once or twice, but let it just sit and absorb the stock as you add it.
Add the smoked salt half a tablespoon at a time and mix to taste.
As it nears al-dente add the parmesan.
Once soft serve topped with parsely and parmesan.

Posted in italian food, recipes, vegetarian food | Leave a comment

Dave’s Coffee Connection – Hands Down the Best Coffee in Amsterdam

Posted on May 8, 2011 by mrfoodie

Its nice to be greeted with a smile. Its nice to be offered ‘a nice coffee’ as you walk in. Its even better when its made with passion. Its unique when you are served what is always described as ‘one lovely coffee’.

Coffee Connection Amsterdam - The Legend that is Dave

Dave runs Coffee Connection in Amsterdam, located a few minutes from the station. Rarely, if ever, have I met anyone who takes so much pride in what he does. He loves his customers. He loves what he does. Freshly baked croissants, homemade Dutch apple pie and some great bagels…. but his espresso and coffee’s are outstanding. In Amsterdam, where good coffee is everywhere, except for the parasitical S***bucks that seem to be making in roads in to the town???, this is a big claim for me to make but it is that good… his army of regulars.. the same few who are always in there every time I’m in town will back this up!

Anytime I’m in Amsterdam, I’ll have my breakfast here – without fail. What I love, is no matter how long the gap between visits he always remembers Mrs. Foodie and I. My favourite coffee is the mocha he makes.

Coffee Connection Amsterdam - One Lovely Mocha

Made with steamed frothy Chocomel, that yummy dutch chocolate milk, this is the nicest mocha you’ll ever drink.

So if you’re ever in town… pop by and say hi from us!

Coffee Connection is located on the corner of Nieuwezijds Kolk and Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal.

Posted in amsterdam | Tagged amsterdam, coffee, dave's coffee connection | Leave a comment

Spuntino – Fun Intoxicating Food

Posted on May 8, 2011 by mrfoodie

Spuntino, is an Italian-American diner in the heart of stripper central in Soho, and almost difficult to find because the cool exterior is drowned out by the garish surroundings – so much so I walked past it a couple of times – making it a hidden gem I guess.

I walked in just after opening probably around 11.30am. A big beaming and welcoming smile from the lady behind the bar as I walked in. Its a small place with approx, 20 seats around the bar and a table toward the back. They’ve made use of the original wall and fittings of the premises, including the old tiles and added handing filament lights to create a really cool, unique and easy going ambience. Took my seat at the bar stool and mused over the paper menu infront of me whilst literally getting intoxicated from the different delicious smells of food in the air. Loved it!

As I looked over the menu, I began to regress even further into a child like state as I saw some of the menu items which included Egg & Soldiers, Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches and even a Nutella Pizetta. None of the menu items seemed pretentious (and those of you who read – know that I rarely like pretentious places), instead seemed nice flavourful dishes. This was definitely going to be fun. The very nice lady, I don’t know her name but she has tattoos and black hair, explained the menu and what she recommended. Whilst I had a think, she came over with a mug of pop-corn tossed with salt and chilli oil in a cocktail shaker! Nice!!!! Let the fun begin…

So I ordered the following based on the lady’s recommendations…

Eggplant Chips with Fennel Yoghurt

Spuntino - Egg Plant Chips with Fennel Yoghurt

I’m so glad I got these instead of the shoestring fries. These were coated in a crispy breadcrumb like coating. They were crunchy on the outside and meltingly soft on the inside and the fennel yoghurt in came with completed the whole thing. Really impressed with this.

Truffled Egg Toast

Spuntino - Truffled Egg Toast

A fat chunky piece of toast, with a little swimming pool of oozing egg yolk, surrounded by melted cheese and topped off with a punching truffle oil. This sinfully indulgent rich dish was f**king lovely!

Soft Shell Crab with Aioli

Spuntino - Soft Shelled Crab with Aoili

A soft shell crab, in a crunchy light tempura like batter servd with aoili and shaved fennel. This was nice – I loved the crispiness especially of the long crab legs. The fennel shavings were exactly what I needed after all the dishes I just had to refresh and clean my palate. Very nice!

Pineapple and Liquorice Ice Cream

Spuntino - Pineapple & Liquorice Ice Cream

I needed something like these flavours to cut through the richness of the things that I had eaten so it was a nice way to finish the meal. To me what seemed an unusual combination, which therefore had to be tried, worked really well.

I left satiated – with an intoxicated smile on my face, feeling like I was 12 and in need of a deeply pleasant nap to sleep of the indulgent and sinfully great meal / brunch I just had.

The place and menu are fantastic. The staff, tattoos and all, plus the service was great. Go early, in between or late – or you’ll have to queue.

Spuntino is going to be on my list of regular places to go – it will be a place I can escape reality for a few moments and regress happily.

No Telephone. No Reservations

Spuntino is at 61 Rupert Street, London, W1D 7PW. www.spuntino.co.uk

Posted in best in london, london restaurants | 1 Comment

Banana Tree Canteen

Posted on May 7, 2011 by mrfoodie

All I want is a good Nasi Goreng in London? is that too much to ask.

When Lemongrass at Oriental City closed and moved to a location near Milton Keynes, the best and easily available nasi goreng, made like a mother makes a good hearty dish, disappeared from my life.

I’ve made my own, following a recipe I found by Jason Atherton and sure it was good – but it wasn’t the same.

Anyway.. back to topic… I then stumbled across Banana Tree Canteen… a sort of wagamama type place for south east asian dishes. Its not fancy but its cheap and good. The menu has dishes from thailand, vietnam, indonesia, malaysia and singapore.

I decided to go for their chicken bakar jawa served with the one thing I had been craving, nasi goreng.

Banana Tree Canteen - Chicken Bakar Jawa with Nasi Goreng

The portion was generous. The chicken was tasty, soft and moreish. The nasi goreng was bang on malaysian hawker style… I found what I’d been looking for. There is little more to say than it was yum.

I do like this place because its quick, easy and good. The service could be a little better, as the staff seemed disinterested.

Banana Tree Canteen have several branches dotted around london in Battersea, Clapham, Angel and West Hampstead.

There website is at www.bananatreecanteen.com