Black lacquer work, rooms where you have something to look, great art, nice and warm staff. You feel welcome in this hip and trendy restaurant in Amsterdam-Zuid, just behind the Concert Gebouw. The restaurant is part of an unknown Hotel.

The interior decoration is done by Eric Kuster Design. Eric has quite a recognizable signature; he also designed our famous night club the Jimmy Woo. He likes Asian influences and mixes modern design with tradition. This is also the keyword for the menu. The menu has influences from all over Asia but the main inspiration is from China. The red country, where they have so many cuisines, that you hardly ever will be bored by the variations they offer you.

I have been at Chang-I four times in quite a short period. Every time I was surprised by the nice and delicious and tasteful dishes as well as by the way they make you feel comfortable. So put on a nice dress, because this is an elegant way of fine China dining!

Details about this spot
Chang-I | Restaurants (Innovative Chinese) | 3 courses € 42.50
Jan-Willem Brouwersstraat 7 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31204701700
Mon - Sat 17:30 - 23:00

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In a rather quiet neighbourhood, just around the corner where I live, at nr. 10, coffeeshop Pacific is situated. A place I would not have ever visited, because I don’t smoke and drink coffee at home or in an Italian Café. But I realize my thoughts are narrow-minded. So, I visited the place for a cup of coffee as a good neighbour.

It is a rather simple place, with flipper machine and one arm-bandit and in the middle they placed a glass wall to divide the room into two since 1 st. of July 2008 (smoking is banned day).

So one part is for smokers with no service and the other part is for non-smokers with service.

The menu offers a wide variety of smokies, and there is coffee and soft-drinks, people and service are nice and helpful. It is a typical neighbourhood coffeeshop, with a worldly name!

Details about this spot
Coffeeshop Pacific | Bars | Coffee or soft-drink € 2.00
Balthasar Floriszstraat 10 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206710318
Mon - Sat 11:00 - 01:00

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Great place to losen the aching muscles! In this wet country, it is a treat to give yourself present, the Corpus Rub.

In this cozy and warm studio in Oud Zuid you can enjoy a relaxing massage. They offer a width range of massages from Classic Therapeutic Massage to Hot Stone Massage and even a pregnancy massage.

I enjoy the place very much and afterwards I am always mentally refreshed and physical relaxed and a bit tired.

Details about this spot
Corpus Rub Massage Studio | Relaxing | Per hour € 62.50
Van Breestraat 72 hs | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31204165055
Mon 09:00 - 17:00, Tue - Sun 11:00 - 22:00

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MOMO brings the mystic from the far East and the sophisticated West together, from a bento box for lunch to a Seared Mabel Beef for dinner. It is an experience!

The bar serves a wide range of cocktails and mixes, classical, traditionals to new, not yet discovered, taste explosions.

A trendy, new hot spot to be seen and to have been!

Details about this spot
MOMO | Bars, Restaurants | (Asian-Western fusion) | Main course € 32.50
Hobbemastraat 1 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206717474
Bar & Lounge: 10:30 - 01:00 | Restaurant 12:30 - 14:30 & 18:00 - 22:30

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The Museumplein is literally in the centre of Amsterdam. From here, anything is nearby. Great meeting point, perfect place to chill out, great view, and the 3 most famous museums just located on the quarter; The Stedelijk museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum (of which only the Van Gogh Museum is open now, due to renovation).

For a reason, the Museumplein is one of my favorite places in Amsterdam. In summer you can lie down on the field, watching people play football or tennis, walk your dog, or just enjoy the lunch you just bought from the Albert Heijn supermarket with the sun on your face (if you’re lucky..).
The skateboard park and basketball field are very popular among students and tourists.

In winter, the magical vibe appears: morning fogs covering the field, the I ‘Amsterdam sign’ , the ice skating rink filled with children and young people, with the majestic Rijksmuseum on the background.

You can also go for a cup of hot chocolate and try the typically Dutch ´poffertjes´ at the Old Dutch Poffertjeskraam at the side! Or go for a drink at the Cobra Cafe, inspired by famous artists from the 1940’s.

By night, a blue ray of light on the ground illuminates the field, going all the way from the wading pool to the Concertgebouw (orchestra concerts). The Monument dedicated to the woman of Ravensbrück (WW2, concentration camp) on the left side, plays a particular odd sound, making it breathtaking to watch and listen to.

During the whole year, mostly in summer, concerts / events are held on the Museumplein; for example on Queensday, Soccer trophies, the famous Uitmarkt (annual cultural program) and charity events.

Details about this spot
Museumplein | Art & culture | Free
Van Baerlestraat | Oud-Zuid (area map)
daily 24 hours

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‘Organic Food for You’ is a nice small supermarket. You find it half way the Cornelis Schuytstraat. It offers a wide range of eco and biologic products and articles. I found a nice selection of biologic dynamic vegetables and fruits. The shop is offering a broad selection of Dutch and foreign cheeses. All kind of groceries, f.e. gluten free flour and much more.

There is also a selection of pre-packed ecological meats and meat-cuts. Fish and fish products. I personally love the selection of breads, rolls and loafs they offer. These are not house-made but are supplied by the in Holland famous ‘Vlaamsche Broodhuys’ a bakery that is specialized in organic and natural baking of bread. And yes, they have wonderful and very tasty fruit juices, fresh daily. I love the place for those special, healthy products.

Details about this spot
Organic Food for You | Shopping | Free
Cornelis Schuytstraat 26-28 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31203795195
Mon - Sat 09:00 - 18:30

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The Maasstraat in the south part of Amsterdam is originally a very local street with a bakery, grocery shop and florist for the neighbourhood. But this suddenly changed when Patisserie Tout opened: a fashionable shop with gorgeous cakes & cookies.

They organize small tasting & courses to make desserts or to try out cakes. Herman den Blijker, one of our famous TV chefs, loves the place and passes it on his way from Rotterdam to Amsterdam, the buy his beloved macaroons. And I must admit, the macaroons are worthwhile making a tour. Especially the raspberry flavour.

They make a small but attractive apple pie & the red fruit tartlet’s look divine. So if you are a sweet loving taster, don’t miss on patisserie Tout.

Details about this spot
Patisserie Tout | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Cakes from € 8.00
Maasstraat 105 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206762620
Mon - Fri 08:30 - 18:00, Sat 09:30 - 17:30

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The first time I visited AS was last summer for lunch and we ordered a big wooden plate with French and Italian cold cuts and sausages, with Dutch cheeses and pickled vegetables. A big piece of ‘Bauer’ bread was there to go with it. One word: delicious!

The second time was for dinner in the winter time. I was surprised by the simpleness and the tastiness of the dishes. Most of the products are biological and from fare trade. AS is a beautiful place with many seats outside.

The kitchen is situated in an outside tent, due to the fact the place is a designers venue. Amazing to see the activities in that kitchen.

Details about this spot
Restaurant AS | Restaurants (pure, original food) | Charcuterie plate € 12.00
Prinses Irenestraat 19 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206440100
Tue - Sun 11:00 - 23:00

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A small and hidden diamond, known by the families and locals from Amsterdam South. A stunning and modern design is what I experienced the first time I visited Spring.

Chef Ralph Woerde has a broad and wide experience with top restaurants. In Spring he cooks with what is available ’selon le marché’ (season bound products).
What I like the most in the menu is the fusion combination of the products used for the cooking of the dishes. I had had the oysters a little warm (tiède) with an eastern soy like sauce: delicious. I was tempted to order a second portion.

I always make a reservation before I decide to lunch or dine out in Spring. It is a very busy place!

Spring is an average priced restaurant, with a superb wine list. Spring was the winner in a competition of house wines in 2008. I found the service informal - informal and extremely friendly.

Details about this spot
Restaurant Spring | Restaurants (International) | 3 courses € 35.00
Willemsparkweg 177 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206754421
Mon - Fri 12:00 - 14:00, Mon - Sat 18:00 - 22:00

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Every time I am impressed by the building, the different rooms and paintings. After five years, it still takes my breath away.

Let me first tell you that the Rijksmuseum is under construction until the end of 2009. They adapted very well on this large project, and most of the masterpieces are still to be seen, but not in their originally place. They are all in the newly furnished Philips Wing.

Since the opening in 1885, architect Pierre Cuypers’ monumental building has been adapted and extended many times, making the renovation necessary.

The national art collection, which first came into being in 1795, originally consisted of works confiscated from the House of Orange, but was significantly extended by King Louis Napoleon. Over the years, a superb, representative selection has been assembled of Dutch art from the 15th century to around 1900, reflecting the development of art in the Netherlands in this period and is emphasized on particular schools, themes and individual artists. This is accompanied by a collection of paintings by foreign masters. The paintings collections are divided in the Dutch Republic, than World Power and Frans Hals. After that Rembrandt and his pupils, The later Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer.

There is so much more to tell about the museum, the building, the architecture, the paintings and the painters, that I simply do not know where to start and where to end. So, I would strongly suggest you to visit this museum, because it contains a lot of history. Personally, I can not wait until the end of 2009 and see what the museum looks like in its original/old state.

Details about this spot
Rijksmuseum | Art & culture | Adult € 10.00
Jan Luykenstraat 1 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206747000
Sat - Thu 09:00 - 18:00, Fri 09:00 - 21:30

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There are a lot of restaurants in this street, but this one really is the best!

They have the best spare ribs in town. I never had better ones. It is always busy, but the staff works hard and never loses their enthusiasm. It really is an upper-class café. You will also find tourists here, since ‘t Vliegertje is located next to the international trade fair RAI. But there are also a lot of locals.

The interior is loaded with airplains. I never understood if this has to do with the history of the owner, the restaurant or someone really loving airplanes, but I will figure that out.

I can sit here all evening enjoying the wine and food.

Details about this spot
t Vliegertje | Restaurants (French) | Saté or spare ribs € 18.00
Scheldestraat 79 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206798480
Kitchen open 17:00 - 22:00 daily

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Small and elegant at the corner of the Banstraat and Valeriusstraat, that’s Valerius.

A place to go to for breakfast, lunch and after work drinks. If you have something to celebrate, small parties are welcome, but please call a little in advance.

The interior is modern and elegant. Beautiful photo’s decorate the walls.

Breakfast is a feast with many choices. Lunch offers a range of nice salads, tosti’s, egg-dishes, slices of bread sandwiches with delicious fillings and toppings and interesting finishing sweets.

Details about this spot
Valerius Eten & Drinken | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Breakfast € 8.00
Banstraat 14 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31204713976
Mon - Fri 09:00 - 18:00

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Of course, this is a museum that can not be missed on a website about Amsterdam. Probably every tourist goes here, but that does not mean that I can not write about it!

I really do cherish this museum. They have a permanent collection of this great painter and every time several exhibitions around him. It is not only about the paintings of Van Gogh, but also about the story behind his paintings and of course his own life; how did he lived his life and where and what inspired him to make all of the paintings he made.

On Friday night the museum has a special evening act. Sometimes there is a DJ, another time a show from the conservatorium students or a symphonic orchestra or anything else you can think of. They really want to entertain the visitors.

What I also like about this museum is the building. The Van Gogh Museum consists of two buildings: the main structure designed by Gerrit Rietveld and opened in 1973, and the Exhibition Wing by Kisho Kurokawa

completed in 1999. Both of them are extraordinary buildings and you really must see them for yourselves.

Personally I go there about four times a year, just to see what has changed or has not changed. And every time I am impressed with his paintings!

Details about this spot
Van Gogh Museum | Art & culture | Adults € 12.50
Paulus Potterstraat 7 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31205705200
Sat - Thu 10:00 - 18:00, Fri 10:00 - 22:00

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It is a culinary highlight in this neighborhood. The clientèle here is a little old, but I definitely will come here more often.

The entire atmosphere of this small shop/lunch room is great. Lots of wine bottles are stalled in the front of the lunch room. In the back there is the showcase with all kinds of sandwich filling. On the right there are small tables were you can sit nicely.

The staff does not only take your order, they also prepare the food themselves. You can order highly qualitative sandwiches like wild salmon, foie gras, paté, different kind of hams (serrano, parma) etc.

The staff exists of the two owners, Hans and Trees, and other great people who really makes your lunch unforgettable.

Furthermore they sell an excellent selection of wines in different price ranges. And of course, lunch does not come here without a glass of wine.

Were can you still find a perfect spot like this?

Details about this spot
Warmolts | Snacks, Restaurants (Lunch) | Lunch from € 4.00
Maasstraat 72 | Oud-Zuid (area map) | +31206620448
Tue -Fri 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 09:00 - 17:00

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