De Bakkerswinkel
A few weeks ago I attended a sports event called Puma Nagara that takes place every year in Amsterdam.So you eat a little less and you smoke a little more. Waiting in line for them to open up the door. - Melissa Etheridge, Map of the Stars.
Puma run this event to showcase mind+body sports. Last year I attended at the Living Tomorrow house in Amsterdam Zuid-Oost.
This year it was in the Beurs van Berlage in the centre of Amsterdam. It seemed much bigger than previously and better organised.
The Beurs building was perfect. The high ceilings were really conducive to the 'mind' part of the sports we were taking part in. Say 'ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm'. Anyone?
Alas, I signed in late and missed my meditation class (no ommmm for me) but I was in time for vinyasa flow yoga, iyengar yoga and pilates with balls & bands. Which sounds naughtier than it really was. The balls were blue though. I wonder if that means anything?
The next day - ouch! Yoga seems so simple when you do it, but the protest in your muscles the next day... ow ow ow.
The best part of the event was getting to meet Mevrouw Cupcake after more than a year of corresponding via email and promising to meet. We sweated together, grunted together, tried to tie ourselves into impossible poses, and found out we had some friends in common. (The world is so small, really.)
Then she took me to de Bakkerswinkel where we had a great lunch. The coffee was to die for. Honestly. I've rarely had a koffie verkeerd that is so close to perfect. I thought my gym made a fantastic koffie verkeerd, but this one blew them away.
We had to queue for a table, and once we were seated the service was spotty, but the meal made up for it.
Ms Cupcake had a salad and her friend and I had the fresh green pea soup.
Definitely worth stepping out for.
Especially on a Sunday afternoon.
Just be prepared to wait while the rest of Amsterdam steps out too.
You can find the Bakkerswinkel at several locations in the Netherlands.
The branch I went to was at:
de Bakkerswinkel
Warmoesstraat 69
1012 HX
Amsterdam
Tel 020-489 8000
Fax 020-489 7878
Welcome back, Ash! So excited to see you blogging again.
Neil
Next time you're in Haarlem; the best coffee here can be found at Brandmeesters. Just coffee, no bakkerswinkel - but I don't mind not being too tempted ;)
I now see they are in Amsterdam too...
Thanks Marjolein! I have to try it :)
Neil, I am so glad to be back too. I can't even tell you.