aMStERdaM - In Your Pocket

50 nieuw-west: Food & drink
Flowers as far as the eye can see Menno Herstel
Lunchroom
Fashion Café N-3, Koningin Wilhelminaplein, www.fashioncafeamsterdam.nl.
Not surprisingly, you'll find the trendy
Fashion Café in the heart of the World Fashion Centre. This
large space has been clearly divided into many different seating
areas where you can lounge on cool sofas. Fashion and style are
naturally part of the concept here and this central theme has
even been incorporated into the menu. You don't order a regular
sandwich here, but rather a fashion sandwich or a fashion pasta.
Despite these somewhat predictable and pretentious names,
the lunch dishes are quite good and the prices somewhat
reasonable for what you get. If, like us, you'd like to flirt with
some of the beautiful women who come here on their breaks,
the luminous central bar is your best lookout spot. QOpen
09:00 - 21:00. Closed Sat, Sun. (€4 - 10). PAULKW
Moroccan
Du Maroc N-3, Comeniusstraat 513, tel. (+31) 206 17
34 08. If you're adventurous, hungry and want to enjoy daily
life in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, filling up your gut at 'grill - petit
restaurant' Du Maroc is a decent option. You can enjoy grilled
meat and fish, sandwiches or Moroccan specials together
with North African men from the hood. The same men who
prepare and serve your food are probably also responsible
for the decorations here. Apparently, they forgot to add the
salt. No matter. You don't have to pay for the atmosphere
here either. QOpen 11:00 - 22:30, Mon 13:00 - 22:30. VS
North Korean
Pyongyang Restaurant M-3, Ouwerdingerpad 1, tel.
(+31) 204 10 80 28, www.pyongyangrestaurant.com.
Although the location is nearly impossible to find, and that's
putting it mildly, we still think that Pyongyang will pull in the
crowds once word gets out that the first North Korean restaurant
in the western world has opened in Amsterdam. So if
you've always fancied a peek into the world's most secretive
and closed country, but without the poverty and deprivation,
this is the place to go. Having a meal in this updated community
centre is a virtual night at the theatre. Five petite
waitresses serve you no less than nine courses, which fills
the whole evening. Each one of the dishes is delicious and
traditionally North Korean and in between courses these
perpetually smiling ladies show off their acrobatic and singing
talents. The karaoke performances are particularly hilarious
as the accompanying video clips aren't full of semi-naked
women and expensive cars like they usually are, but depict
military parades and jet fighters. A visit to Pyongyang isn't
affordable for everyone, considering the high price tag of €79/
person, but it's worth saving up for. That price would barely
cover your visa if you actually wanted to take a trip above the
DMZ. QOpen 19:00 - 22:00. 9-course dinner: €79. LK
Thai
Suvarnaphum N-3, Johan Huizingalaan 250, tel. (+31)
206 17 66 20, www.suvarnaphum.nl. If this small restaurant
on a somewhat boring shopping street were situated
by the canals of the city centre people would be queued up
outside every day. Whether you order food to take away or
have a sit down meal at one of its 33 seats, the large servings
of tasty food couldn't be better and you'd have a hard
time finding a more authentic place anywhere in Amsterdam.
The staff can be a bit curt and the loud TV could definitely be
turned down a few notches, but we like it all the same. Even if
you do find fault with Suvarnaphum, you should probably keep
it to yourself as the chef used to be a kick boxer. QOpen
16:00 - 22:00. (€14 - 18). AKS
Turkish
Ada N-2, Jan de Jonghkade 82, tel. (+31) 208 46 77 03,
www.adalunchrestaurant.com. If decent cuisine for an
affordable price is paramount to you, as it is to many Dutch
people, and you appreciate excellent, attentive service, you
could do much worse than a trip to this Turkish restaurant,
which has plenty of atmosphere. Some people might find the
romantic interior a bit over the top, but others will enjoy small
details like having the door opened for you and being helped
into your coat. You can order affordable platters and tasty
grilled dishes in this upgraded kebab joint, but we recommend
the lentil soup and the cag kebabi (spicy lamb). The large
windows and view over the water is another bonus as is the
opportunity to try Turkish wines. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00.
(€10 - 16). TAULGBKXW
Konan Restaurant N-2, Burgemeester de Vlugtlaan
81 - 83, tel. (+31) 206 13 29 89, www.konakrestaurant.
nl. If you're planning on taking the architectural walking tour
organised by the Van Eesterenmuseum in Nieuw-West, Konan
is the nearest option to have a bite afterwards. Naturally, it
would be best if you like lamb, because the delicious aroma
of this tasty meat can't be avoided at this Turkish restaurant.
The cheap plastic covering the table linen is cheesy to say the
least, but the daily specials are definitely budget friendly, so
if you'd like to save some euro then give it a shot. QOpen
09:00 - 23:00. (€7 - 12). TVBS
Meram M/N-2, Slotermeerlaan 111, tel. (+31) 204 47
03 70, www.restaurantmeram.nl. For a Turkish restaurant
in this area, Meram has a surprisingly pleasant interior. It's
modern, sleek and not at all what we expected. Like at most
Turkish restaurants, the staff seems to consist solely of
men, but these guys are neatly dressed in black. They serve
grilled Anatolian cuisine as well as a variety of salads, soups,
sandwiches and tapas made from fresh ingredients from local
suppliers. The huge terrace overlooking the market is a great
place for people watching, but bear in mind that a variety of
weirdos seem to pass by every few minutes. No matter. The
staff will make short work of them. QOpen 10:00 - 01:00,
Fri, Sat 10:00 - 03:00. (€8 - 13). PTABW
Sahan M-3, Tussen meer 66, tel. (+31) 203 34 32 86,
www.restaurantsahan.nl. On your way to Sahan, you might
get the feeling that you've missed the exit, but keep going and
you'll eventually find authentic Turkish cuisine in this rather
cheerless area. Although the name Sahan refers to the copper
plates used for cooking in the Turkish countryside, the
restaurant is far from traditional. Expect spacey lighting, red
and white leather chairs and 'modern' portions that would
hardly satisfy hard working Anatolian peasants. That said,
the food is simply delicious and the prices are surprisingly
reasonable. QOpen 10:00 - 22:30. P
Amsterdam In Your Pocket www.amsterdam.inyourpocket.com