PRETTY, FUN, CHIC AND DELICIOUS

I used to live on the Eerste Helmersstraat on the third floor, and the Cornelis Schuytstraat felt as my backyard. Just a stroll through the park away from paradise. The best florist of Amsterdam, Menno Kroon, Shoebaloo, perfumery Louise, and the famous vegetable jeweller who polishes his apples and tangerines about three times before draping them on a basket that screams countryside. That is the only store I’ve never entered, I think. Two fascinating establishments are situated towards the head of the street; Brasserie Joffers and Brasserie Van Dam. Visit, and you’ll definitely bump into a vippy or two. And paparazzo Edwin Smulders practically lives there. The company is colourful, extremely well-dressed, and… which is what it’s really about, the food is delicious.

Brasserie Van Dam has always been one of my favourites (also for flash visits to their divine traiteur department), but the store underwent a make-over. It’s hipped out. There’s a marvellous bar, the traiteur is no more (though Van Dam’s butcher shop a bit further up the street has ready-made dishes, don’t you worry) and the entire space received a fresh dose of freshness. Best part of it all is that Nicolette van Dam and her brother Sebastiaan will run the place. The catering industry and entrepreneurship runs through her veins. “I immediately jump behind the counter if I visit the shop and it turns out to be very busy.” Nicolette once said in an interview with Beau Monde. And the desire arose to continue her family’s heritage.

Nicolette was the PERFECT host and her mother.. Karin…

Although Van Dam 2.0 was already up and running for a while now, the official opening was yesterday. Nicolette was the perfect host, and her mother.. Karin… so pretty. And, above all, so friendly. She’s reason enough to visit Van Dam and drink a coffee, hoping for a smile. It was so crowded that the poor girls of Make My Event had difficulty moving through the throng of beautiful people with their glasses of bisques and tuna sashimi. The crowd prevented me from having truffle paste, burgers, stews, and shrimp croquettes. My glass, however, was pretty well-filled the entire evening and I managed to steal a divine croquette on my way out. I can’t wait to go back and grab a bite to eat or have a delicious glass of Ruinart. Cheers!

Every day, the doors are open for breakfast, lunch, drinks and diner.
www.vandambrasserie.nl