IZAKAYA(MMIE)

Three important rules of life. 1: A heel lower than 8 centimeters, stay far away from that, 2: never make eye contact with a living being while eating a banana and 3: if you are invited for lunch at Izakaya, you say yes. Wholeheartedly. So that last one is what Elke and I did last Wednesday. You see, Izakaya is one of the finest restaurants in Amsterdam. They serve luxurious Japanese dishes, so divine and beautiful that you definitely feel 25 percent more snobbish on your way to the exit than when you entered. If you want to go there soon (yes, thank god summer is just around the corner), make sure to have lunch on the terrace and order a few bites. The sushi is next level stuff, just like the sashimi trio of salmon, yellowtail, and sea bass. And um, the crispy rice bite with spicy tuna tartare, maistempura with spicy yuzu mayonnaise, and the baby spinach salad with grilled prawns, Parmesan, and truffle almost knocked me out. WHAT a party in your mouth. You get it: Elke and I really felt like we were working hard that afternoon…

Also in the mood for an afternoon of enjoyment? Albert Cuypstraat 2-6 in the Pijp is where you need to be. And, don’t blame me if you walk out the door as a snob, okay? That’s the Izakaya effect.