Time for a peek behind the scenes!
Last month I showed the cover of my Dutch ‘All-day breakfast’ book and that was a pretty exciting moment to me. I loved how enthusiastic everyone responded! Just as special was it to receive and read the first proofs of my book. We aren’t completely there yet, but the end result is getting closer every day. So much fun!
And although I’ve handed in all my input for the book, that doesn’t mean I’m tired of breakfasts now. On the contrary! I made these delicious waffles, some great blueberry banana pancakes (pictured above) and these fluffy pancakes with strawberries.
Karin, Annemieke and myself got a great culinarity tour through the city of Leiden, hosted by guide for the day Susan. She took us to her favorite foodie places in the city. From the best coffee in Leiden (at Borgman & Borgman) to amazing cannelés at French bakery Mamie Gourmande and from a great lunch at van de Leur to the famous butcher Van der Zon, who let us taste almost half of the assortment. I must admit that the sunny weather, great guide and lovely company helped, but really: Leiden is such a lovely city! I will definitely be back soon.
I also made a great short trip to Antwerp in Belgium. To celebrate our upcoming marriage (less than two months now!) I had dinner with my mom at the Upper Room bar in restaurant The Jane. And that was nothing but amazing. Up in the gorgeously renovated space (a former Military hospital) you’ll find a bar hat’s build around the open kitchen, so you can see chef Sergio Herman and his team preparing your dishes from up close. The service is attentive and knowledgeable, but very relaxed at the same time. And the dishes are very impressive: lots of light, Asian tastes and many street food-like accents. I tasted a.o. a feathery light steamed bun with pork belly and hoisin sauce; a gorgeous little dish with avocado cream, crab and carrot and amazing octopus with almonds, creamy burrata, rich olive oil and black aioli. The only minor critique I can think of is that the last dish (veal balls with chicken) was somewhat heavy and rich in comparison with all the other dishes. Everything else was simply perfect. I can wholeheartedly say that The Jane really is my new favorite.
Another recommended place in Antwerp is coffee bar Maurice. Somewhat hidden in a bank building you will find this big space with lots of cozy corners, a creative menu and a remarkable relaxed atmosphere. In the Netherlands I dined at restaurant Pressroom and La Cage and you will find both those places in the list with ‘The 10 new restaurants in Amsterdam you really shouldn’t miss’.
Also on TLT last month: this great ricotta cake with rhubarb and these amazing chocolate almond tarts with salted dulce de leche. Soon I will also share my review and a recipe from the new My New Roots cookbook by Sarah Britton.
