My favorite city in the Netherlands is Haarlem, a very old city near the beach and near Amsterdam with the spirit of a small town. But Amsterdam will always have a special special place in my heart as well, I lived and studied here for some years... the people, the way of living, the canals, the wonderful musea, pubs, great clubs, superb dining in small restaurants where you'd never expect to get a Michelin star food experience combined with a special kind of cosines. If you're not convinced yet. Take a look for yourself.
The following magical pictures are the work of Pia Jane Bijkerk, an Amsterdam based photographer & Stylist. I discovered Pia’s work a while back and thought her blog and images are just absolutely stunning.
It is based in a very attractive old canalhouse, with no obvious ‘hotel’ entrance or big declaration: just a brass bell by the Amsterdam-green door. It feels like home. It looks like a home, too, which isn’t too surprising, since it was a private dwelling until the owners moved out and paying guests moved in.
So where to eat? What to think of Lastage?
In the middle of the red light district a former dark cave was converted into a fine, attractive intimate reasonably priced (3 course meal Euro 36,-) restaurant. Rogier van Dam, ex-star chef of restaurant Posthoorn started this restaurant together with his girlfriend. He is one of the most promising young chefs of Netherlands and she is a talented super enthusiastic, Sommelier. A Red Light District Culinary Dream Team!
In the restaurant, lots of wood and earth tones, robust tables with gray linen runners and beautiful cutlery supplemented with tasteful white and gray crockery. Real eye-catchers are the two modern chandeliers, which give a timeless touch to the place.
A seat in the front of the restaurant gives you the most contact with the semi-open kitchen, where Rogier works and prevails his passion for the New Dutch cuisine.
