dining

Restaurant Blauw Utrecht

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A friend of ours recommended this Indonesian restaurant in Utrecht to us and I am sure glad that he did.  We made a reservation for the early seating ( 6 to 8:45 p.m.).  The second seatin goes from 9:00 to 11:45.

Restaurant Blauw offers a variety of Indonesian specialties.  They offer a trio of rice tables (rijsttafels) – meat, fish, vegetarian which are very popular.  My wife opted for the vegetarian rice table.  I selected the Daging Rendang, which is one of my favorite Indonesian dishes.  Both meals came with a variety of Indonesian side dishes, vegetables and rice which literally covered the whole table.  The Rendang was unbelievable – delicious chunks of beef that had been marinated and slowly cooked in Indonesian spices.  It was hot and spicy – just the way it should be.

If you would like to try authentic Indonesian cuisine, I can highly recommend restaurant Blauw.  They have locations in both Amsterdam and Utrecht.

Restaurant Blauw Utrecht
Springweg 64
3511 VT Utrecht
Netherlands
Telephone: 31 (0)30-234 24 63
Website: www.restaurantblauw.nl

 

 

Brasserie FLO Amsterdam

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Located just a few steps off the Rembrandtplein (Rembrandt Square), Brasserie FLO is a wonderful French restaurant with an excellent menu and wine list.  If you like fresh seafood, i.e. Le Plateau de Fruits de Mer, this is the place.  When entering the restaurant you will pass the display of all the fresh seafood of the day.  Yummy.

I had the French onion soup for a starter.  It was excellent with an aged cheese baked over the top and filled with onions in a hearty broth.  I selected another appetizer as my main course, a house smoked salmon served over warm potato salad with a mustard sabayon.  Delicious!  If you like smoked salmon, you will love this dish.  My wife had the vegetarian cannelloni with spinach and mushrooms and a morel sauce.  She thought the dish was amazing.  It was artfully presented and the taste was superb.

They have a very nice French wine list.  We started with a glass of Chablis and then enjoyed a glass of Cote de Rhone with our main courses.

We used all the restraint we could muster not to have dessert.  But I must say the dessert menu was filled with lovely French specialties.

When visiting Amsterdam, I can highly recommend a visit to Brasserie FLO.

Brasserie FLO
Amstelstraat 9
1017 DA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Telephone: 31 (0)20-890 47 57

Visit there website at: www.floamsterdam.nl

 

Gasthaus Fabecks

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If you are looking for an outstanding German restaurant in the southwest part of Berlin, I highly recommend Fabecks restaurant.  Traditional German dishes with a great selection of German beers and wines combined with super service and ambiance make for a unforgettable dining experience.

Fabecks offers a daily menu (die Tageskarte) with a fresh selection of appetizers, soups, main dishes and desserts.  I particularly like their selection of fine German beers.  I’m especially fond of the Tegernseer dunkel.  Prost!

I enjoyed a meal of Veal Goulash with Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes.  It was a delicious meal. The Sauerkraut was mixed in with the gravy.  Wow, it was really good.

When you are looking for a German restaurant in the area of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, be sure to make a reservation at Fabecks.

Gasthaus Fabecks
Altensteinstraße 42 / Ecke Fabeckstraße
14195 Berlin
Telephone:+49 (0)30-26 07 97 67
Website: http://www.fabecks.de/

 

Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria

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When I’m in Niagara Falls, Canada I never miss the opportunity to eat at Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria.  The Pingue family prepares authentic Italian cuisine with lots of love and attention to detail.  Their homemade Gnocchi is out of this world!  It’s the best I’ve ever had (please forgive me Nonna!).  Try their Antipasta Mista platter with their specially cured meats.  Pasta, Risotto, Ravioli, Gnocchi – it’s all here at Napoli Ristorante and they are all delicious.

If you are hungry for a pizza – this is the place.  Their pizza is outstanding.

Ask your server about any daily specials.  The staff at Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria are very friendly and will do everything possible to make your dining experience enjoyable.

I am very partial to their pasta dishes.  If they offer Lasagna on the menu – order it.  They make the best Lasagna.

I always have a hard time deciding what to order – because everything here is so good!

They offer a nice selection of Italian and Canadian wines to pair with your meal.  Canadian wines from the Niagara region of Ontario are excellent; so if you’re in the Niagara Falls area, be sure to try them.

Check their website for more information: http://www.napoliristorante.ca/

Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
5485 Ferry Street,
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
L2G1S3
Telephone: 905-356-3345

 

La Mano Verde

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Here’s an excellent vegan restaurant located in the Kempinksi Plaze just off the Ku’Damm north of U-Bahnhof Uhlandstrasse.  They offer a very creative menu filled with delicious appetizers, soups, salads, main courses and desserts.  The excellent wine list is filled with a great selection of organic wines that will surely please your palate.

I started my meal with the Lime-Almond-Gezpacho, followed by my main course of Capaletti filled with pine nuts and pumpkin with a salbei sauce.  Delicious!  I normally don’t take a dessert, but I was tempted by the Walnut-Caramel-Delice.  Wow, was that good.

If your looking for a vegan restaurant while your in Berlin, I highly recommend you visit La Mano Verde.  More information on their website: http://lamanoverdeberlin.com/

La Mano Verde
Kempinski Plaza
Uhlandstrasse 181-183
10623 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-82 70 31 20
 

Trattoria Mineo

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Here’s a great little Italian restaurant near Berlin S-Bahnhof Halensee that offers authentic Sardinian-style cuisine.  A good friend of mine introduced me to this restaurant and I’ve been back several times.  Personalized service, Sardinian specialties (including wines from the region), and a cozy atmosphere make this a restaurant you’ll want to come back to many times.

I can recommend the Seafood Risotto as a starter.  It’s prepared perfectly!  My favorite main course is their Veal Saltimbocca.  Tender slices of veal wrapped in prosciutto in delightful sauce.  Molto buono!  For dessert, I have to recommend their Tiramisu.  It’s some of the best I’ve ever had.

If your visiting Berlin, Germany be sure to enjoy a nice dinner at Trattoria Mineo.  Reservations recommended.

Trattoria Mineo
Westfälische Strasse 51
10711 Berlin-Wilmersdorf
Telephone: +49 (0)30-89 04 37 86

 

Rasas – The Spirit of India

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The name says it all.  Rasas truly is the spirit of India in Berlin, Germany.  This was absolutely the best Indian food I’ve enjoyed so far.  If you’re in Berlin, and you’re looking for a great Indian restaurant, this is it.  They offer very authentic Indian cuisine that’s bursting with flavor and served by their very attentive staff in a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.  They have a superb variety of Indian appetizers, salads, main courses, and desserts.  I’m definitely going back again soon to try a few more!

As a main course, I had the Murgh Jhalfrezi (chicken breast fillet with vegetables and Indian spices in a special sauce).  It was wonderful.  It had a good “heat” to it, which I like; but the heat combined with the flavors was incredible.  The main dishes are served with Basmati rice.

Take a look at their website for more information.  http://bit.ly/jeZTnm

Rasas
Bayernallee 42a
(on the corner of Länderallee)
14052 Berlin
+49 (0)30 33 77 29 41

 

Osteria da Tano

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Excellent Italian cuisine served with warm and very friendly service in a local neighborhood (“Kiez” in German) just one block off the Ku’Damm in Berlin.  The fish is fresh and the pasta is cooked to perfection.  Summer is a great time to sit outside and enjoy the nice atmosphere at this local’s favorite while enjoying a nice glass of wine and some great Italian food.

One of my favorite starters is the Caprese Salad (Fresh sliced tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a fresh basil garnish).  For a main course, try the fresh fish with fresh tomato sauce alla Siciliana.  The sauce is bursting with flavor and complements the fish perfectly.  Delizioso!

Osteria da Tano is one of my favorite restaurants in Berlin.  Give it a try and see for yourself.

Osteria da Tano
Joachim-Friedrich-Strasse 33
10711 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-8909 5369

 

Pastis – a great place for Flammkuchen in Berlin

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Saturday afternoon.  After walking around Rudesheimer Platz we decided to stop at Pastis for a bite to eat.  We ordered the Flammkuchen vegetarisch.  D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!   It was very well-prepared with lots of fresh vegetables and a delicious pesto sauce.   Pair this with a nice glass of wine on a beautiful day – bon appetit!   This is another good reason to visit this excellent French restaurant.

Cookies Cream

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Creative vegetarian cuisine, well-prepared and delicious; that’s the best way to describe Cookies Cream.  I am not a vegetarian; but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Berlin.  Locate just of Friedrichstrasse in Berlin-Mitte this restaurant serves tasty and imaginative vegetarian dishes in an eclectic atmosphere.  I had no idea that vegetarian fare could combine so many interesting flavors together in such a palate pleasing way.  They also have a nice selection of wines to accompany your meal.

The link to their website is quite different from most other restaurants; however, I like the way they’ve used animation to show you the way to their door.  Cookies Cream is an epicurean adventure and one that I think you will enjoy.  http://www.cookiescream.com/

Cookies Cream
55 Behrenstraße
10117 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-27 49  29 40