WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE FALL 2013

juana. Coffee houses and their visitors are a significant part of Amsterdam’s
tourism revenue. Partakers must be 18 and no smoking
is allowed on the streets. More than five grams of the stuff in your
possession can result in a lot of trouble. Alcohol is not served in
these establishments and hard drugs are strictly illegal. In much of
the country, non-locals are banned from coffee houses, but there
was such a backlash from the tourism industry, that Amsterdam is
an exception. If you’re planning to make this a part of your experience,
check to be sure the laws haven’t changed.
Exploring the Canals
The 165 canals encircling Amsterdam have been central to the fabric
of life here since the 16th century. These functional and picturesque
waterways provide a marine transportation network, a home
for houseboats and a major draw for visitors. The most interesting
canals are Herengracht, Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht; all are
lined with houseboats, from funky to grand, and framed by majestic
400-year-old homes, eclectic shops and busy outdoor cafes.
There are a variety of ways to explore the canals ranging from walking,
or taking a ferry boat, canal bus, canal cruise tour or water taxi
or even renting a four-seater canal peddle boat. The canal bus provides
regular service on three routes where riders can hop on or off
at 14 stops in the tourist and shopping districts.
Dining and Drink
If you want to do as the Dutch do or just mingle with locals, plan
on spending time in the many cafes that line every street, alley and
canal in the city. Most are open daily from morning until the wee
hours of the night. As expected in a city with such diversity, there’s
a bar and café for every culinary desire and pocket book.
One must stop if you’re beer fan is Arendsnest Pub on Herengracht
90 where 350 different beers brewed by about 60 Dutch breweries
are served, including 30 on tap. The pub also offers a tasting flight
where you can sample beers in small glasses while the friendly staff
helps you sort through the brewskies available in this hoppy place.
A Signature Meal
For centuries, rijsttafel, Dutch for rice table, has been the culinary
sport of Amsterdam. It’s a fortunate relic from the Dutch colonization
of Indonesia. The rijsttafel feast was based on the Indonesian
rice feast of Nasi Padang more than 400 years ago when Dutch
East India Company traders tasted spices in rice-based dishes at
banquets. Then, the number of dishes served could run into the
hundreds.
Each restaurant serves variations on the rijsttafel theme, but the
one constant is that rice served alongside meat or vegetable small
plates. Most restaurants offer vegetarian editions, but most feasts
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